League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Limerick
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Shamrock Rovers will want to extend their unbeaten home record as they welcome winless Limerick to Tallaght Stadium. Kick-off is 4pm.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers are currently fourth in the league table on thirty-seven points but have games in hand on the sides above them. Two on St Patrick’s Athletic, who are third on forty points, and one apiece on Cork and Dundalk, who are second on forty-four and first of fifty respectively.
Due to their European campaign, which ended after a 4-1 aggregate loss to Odds Ballklubb, Rovers haven’t played a league game since beating Galway United 2-1 near the end of June. Luke Byrne and Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters both scored on either side of an Enda Curran strike to secure the three points away from home.
Manager Pat Fenlon spoke to shamrockrovers.ie and said that he is "looking for the team to bounce back after Europe and to go on a run in the league starting with tomorrow's game, to pick up wins and gain ground on the teams that are ahead of us at the moment".
In team news, Midfielders Sean O’Connor, Keith Fahey and Stephen McPhail are al ruled out of the game against Limerick while striker Mikey Drennan sits the last match of his three match ban.
LIMERICK
Limerick may have game in hand on Sligo Rovers and Derry City but the two teams are ten points away from the winless Superblues, who sit on six points at the bottom. Last week’s game may offer some hope to fans as they secured their first clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw away to Derry City.
Manager Martin Russell was quick to highlight the importance of new signing Freddy Hall to the side as he said, “A clean-sheet is always a plus and it was good to get one last week. We’re going into the game in good spirits. Freddie, as a more senior ‘keeper, gives us a more solid look.” The Limerick boss than added that, “We’re continuing to try to improve the squad and get better, and hopefully we will do that.”
Speaking to limerickfc.ie, Martin Russell than spoke about opponents Shamrock Rovers, saying, “Tallaght Stadium is never an easy place to go to but we believe particularly on our second-half performance against Derry if we can carry that play on then we can be competitive and get a result.” He then added, “We know it won’t be easy but our meeting earlier in the season shows we can be competitive against them.”
Limerick have a fully fit and available squad to choose from for the game against Shamrock Rovers.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
MATCH STATS
The earlier meeting between these sides saw Limerick take the lead through captain Shane Duggan before Brandon Miele netted late on in the game to bring a point back to Tallaght.
The last time Limerick won an away game in the league was in October of last year, when they beat Derry City 1-0 thanks to a Rory Gaffney goal.
The last time Rovers lost at home in the league was when Drogheda United beat them 1-0 on July 25th last year.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 2/9; Draw 5/1; Limerick 10/1.
PREDICTION
Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Limerick.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Sean O'Connor, Keith Fahey, Stephen McPhail.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Michael Drennan.
Limerick
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
