League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Limerick
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SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers look to maintain their unbeaten home record in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division when Limerick come to visit Tallaght on Friday night.
The Hoops will be looking for a third victory in just seven days following a nervy 3-2 win in the League against Drogheda United and a Leinster Senior Cup triumph over Dublin rivals Bohemians.
Manager Trevor Croly was pleased with his sides outing on Monday night and it was further evidence of the pros of having a B team full of youngsters playing in the second division. He also was keen to stress that 28 points would be a healthy return from the first round of fixtures.
“It’s been a good week for us as a group. The team did very well on Monday and put in a great performance. It was a great mix of the more experienced players and the young lads who did very well.
“And the lads have worked really well in training this week, so we are looking forward to getting out there tomorrow night and getting a chance to get another three points to take us to 28 points, which would be a good return from the first series of games.”
LIMERICK FC
The Blues will now be eager to recapture their form after last week’s blip at home to a resurgent Sligo Rovers side. Before that, the Munster men were unbeaten since the 28th of March. That run has seen them rise to the ten point mark, and out of the relegation playoff spot now occupied by UCD.
Manager Stuart Taylor is confident in his strongest sides’ ability to compete with any side in the league on their day.
“There are no easy games but I’m sure the players will rise to the challenge,” Taylor told LimerickFC.ie. “Again, we’re playing against a team that is playing with confidence.
“They have got a lot of experience in their side; they’ve just signed a boy who has played at the top level over in England. It’s a great experience for our midfielders.
“Man for man, I don’t have a problem. If our strong XI is there, man for man, I wouldn’t swap them for any team in the league. As an individual and as a group, we’ve got a great team spirit here, so I don’t swap any team for my team when we’re all fully fit and all available.
“We’re looking forward to the game. We’re looking forward to going and making amends for the result that’s just been, which was a little bit unfair. But we’ve learned our lesson from it and moved on.
“The standard in training this week has been brilliant. We’ve shown a good work ethic about our training and we’ll take that into Friday’s game.
“We’re two different teams to last year. We’re still on a learning curve. We’re not looking for perfection; we’re still looking for progression. That’s where we are in terms of our development just now.
“We’ll go up there and we’ll give it our best shot. As I said before, I don’t have any fear against any team. We’re a good enough bunch of players to go and get a result.”
Referee: Robert Rogers
MATCH STATS
Limerick have been more than capable on the road of recent and avoiding defeat at Tallaght Stadium would make it five games unbeaten away from Thomond Park.
Two of the Hoops most influential players this season have been Conor Kenna and Ronan Finn. This game will be the first time in the campaign that neither of these stars will feature in a League starting XI.
Shamrock Rovers are unbeaten in their last four games against Limerick FC. Winning three and drawing one.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 2/5; Draw 16/5; Limerick 7/1
PREDICTION
Shamrock Rovers 2-1
Shamrock Rovers:
Injured: Eamon Zayed (elbow), Dean Kelly (calf)
Doubtful: Sean O’Connor (hamstring), Stephen McPhail (back)
Suspended: Conor Kenna, Ronan Finn
Limerick:
Injured: Danny Galbraith (hamstring)
Doubtful: Shaun Kelly (knee), Michael Leahy (groin), Craig Curran (hamstring)
Suspended: None
