League Preview: Dundalk -v- Shamrock Rovers

Following their exits from European competition during the week, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers both return to SSE Airtricity League action at Oriel Park on Sunday (kick-off 5pm).

DUNDALK

Dundalk were knocked out of the Champions League at the hands of Norwegian double winners Rosenborg after extra-time in Trondheim on Wednesday night.

Their attention now swiftly returns to domestic matters and while the Lilywhites are unlikely to catch Cork City in first place, manager Stephen Kenny has issued a rallying call for his troops to finish the season strongly, insisting that there is still plenty to play for in the coming months.

“We have a big game against Shamrock Rovers on Sunday and we have to dust ourselves down. We have to get ready to go again”, said Kenny.

"We are in the League Cup semi-final to come and are still in the FAI Cup. They are two cups we want to win. There's a lot to play for and we want to finish strongly in the league, starting with the game on Sunday against Shamrock Rovers.”

Dundalk could be without their playmaker Patrick McEleney for the visit of Rovers after he was forced off with a groin problem during the defeat to Rosenborg, while Chris Shields serves a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the last league outing at Bohemians.

“Losing Patrick McEleney in the match wasn't ideal. You need your best player playing in extra-time. Losing him through a groin injury hurt us a bit in that regard but we can put that behind us now”, added Kenny.

"We will learn from the experience. A lot of the players gained valuable experience and can take that into the rest of the league campaign, the cup competitions and finish the season strongly.

“We are back into league action with the game against Shamrock Rovers on Sunday and then away to Sligo Rovers next Saturday. We have got to bounce back. The defeat in Rosenborg in extra-time really hurts everyone but we have got to respond in the right way, in the way we always have.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers were eliminated from the Europa League at the second qualifying round stage on Thursday night following a 2-0 defeat in the Czech Republic to Mlada Boleslav.

The Hoops haven’t won in their last eight league visits to Oriel Park but know a victory on Sunday will move them up to third place in the league, which would set them up nicely for next week’s Dublin derby against Bohemians as Rovers bid to qualify for Europe for the fourth year running.

“We have to win the next few games”, said defender Roberto Lopes when speaking exclusively to Extratime.ie reporter Macdara Ferris this week.

“These matches against Dundalk and Bohs are massive. If we can win those two games, it would really put us in a strong position in the table.

“It is a game we are really looking forward to (on Sunday). We want to get over the disappointment of being out of Europe as quick as we can. We want to take what we’ve learned from this experience and bring it into the league.

“We don’t need any more motivation for these games. You don’t need to get up for it. Dundalk are a good side but we will be ready for them on Sunday.”

Former Dundalk favourite and current Rovers club captain Ronan Finn misses out on a return to Oriel Park through suspension.

Referee: TBC

MATCH FACTS

Shamrock Rovers haven’t recorded a league win at Oriel Park since a 2-1 victory back in September 2011 – Billy Dennehy and current Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell both scored for Rovers that day before Mark Quigley added a late consolation for The Lilywhites.

Rovers have won just once in their last 11 competitive meetings with Dundalk – that came earlier this season in a 2-1 win at Tallaght Stadium when Ronan Finn and David McAllister got on the scoresheet before Niclas Vemmelund added a consolation for the visitors late on.

Four Dundalk (Sean Gannon, Ciaran Kilduff, Stephen O’Donnell and Thomas Stewart) and three Rovers players (Simon Madden, Darren Meenan and Michael O’Connor) are in line to face their former clubs.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/2; Draw 16/5; Shamrock Rovers 5/1

PREDICTION  

  Dundalk 2-0 Shamrock Rovers

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Patrick McEleney (groin).

Suspended: Chris Shields.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Paul Corry, Dan Devine.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ronan Finn.