League Preview: Shamrock Rovers B -v- Wexford Youths

SHAMROCK ROVERS B

Shamrock Rovers 'B' will look to stretch their unbeaten run to five league games on Sunday when they host Wexford Youths in a 2pm kick-off at Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers currently lie just one place above bottom side Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland second tier, however just four points separate the Tallaght side from second placed fellow First Division newcomers Galway FC.

The young Hoops have been particularly impressive in their last two games. Following a scoreless draw away to table toppers Shelbourne, Rovers exited the Leinster Senior Cup with a highly credible performance against an experienced St. Patrick's Athletic side on Tuesday night.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Wexford, Rovers manager Colin Hawkins told ExtraTime.ie of the encouragement he has taken from his sides' last two games.

“I felt maybe we could have nicked a win against Shels if we had taken one or two of the chances that fell our way, but nonetheless it was a good performance and result.

“I'm really pleased with how we built on that performance by standing up to the challenge posed by a very strong Pat's team on Tuesday. For a lot of the lads, that was their first time playing in Richmond Park. Some of them didn't even know where it was so I had to give them directions.

“To play against the likes of Mark Quigley and Killian Brennan was a great experience for them and to hold their own against that calibre of player made it even better. It was a game I think will really stand to all the players going forward. Wexford will be looking to go second on Sunday so you can be sure it'll be a tough game but one our players are ready for.”

Despite returning to training this week following injury spells, both Conor O'Malley and Chris Lyons (calf) remain unavailable for selection. O'Malley and Lyons will be joined by Sean Heaney (hamstring) and Thomas Tiernan (groin) on the absentee list along with suspended midfielder Ryan Doolin.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths will make Sunday's trip to Tallaght hoping to bounce back from last Friday's 3-1  derby defeat to Waterford United with a win that would see them climb above Galway FC and into second place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division table.

Youths manager Shane Keegan believes last week's defeat will prove to be a timely wake-up call to his side as they enter into a period of three games in the space of six days: “The timing of the last defeat, strangely enough was good as we're heading into a busy period where we're playing 3 games in 6 days.

 “We could've won and swanned into this week and lost all of the upcoming games. The defeat has helped re-focus minds.”

Wexford needed an injury time winner from Danny Furlong to see off a spirited performance from the young Rovers side the last time the two sides met. Colin Hawkins' young charges have experienced a marked improvement in fortunes since that particular occasion and so Keegan expects an even greater challenge this time around.

“They've improved massively and are a side I would have expected too as well. They were a new group coming together and with the way Colin wanted them to play, it was going to take time to play at this level. They equipped themselves very well in the Leinster Senior Cup game against St. Patrick’s Athletic and could see them finishing in the top four, they certainly have the ability.”

Youngster Daryl Power will miss out as he continues to recuperate from a virus that left him hospitalised for a brief period during the week whilst Keegan will also be forced to plan without the services of the suspended midfield duo of Craig Wall and Peter Higgins.

Referee: Alan Mullally

MATCH STATS

The last encounter between these two sides saw Wexford emerge as victors in a 3-2 thriller played at Ferrycarrig Park.

Wexford Youths have conceded more goals than they have scored in their six league games at Ferrycarrig Park so far this season.

Since their first appearance at the Dublin 24 venue in February 2010, Youths have yet to win a game at Tallaght Stadium.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 6/4; draw 23/10; Wexford Youths 6/4

PREDICTION

1-1 draw

Shamrock Rovers:

Injured: Chris Lyons (calf), Sean Heaney (hamstring), Thomas Tiernan (groin), Conor O'Malley
Suspended: Ryan Doolin

Wexford Youths

Absent: Daryl Power (virus) 
Suspended: Peter Higgins, Craig Wall