League Preview: Dundalk -v- Shamrock Rovers

DUNDALK

Stephen Kenny’s side will look to continue their unbeaten run and register their fourth straight win in the SSE Airtricity League when Shamrock Rovers come to Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Dundalk dismantled Bohemians at the same venue last week with goals from Patrick Hoban, Sean Gannon and Michael Duffy securing a 3-0 victory, before Easter Monday’s scheduled EA Sports Cup tie at St Patrick’s Athletic was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Making his first league start for the club and winning a penalty in that win over Bohs was Hungarian playmaker Krisztian Adorjan, who is currently on loan from Italian Serie B outfit Novara Calcio.

“It was a good game on Friday night and I thought we played well, especially in the first half. We kept a lot of possession and we got the three points which is the most important thing so I am happy with how it went,” said Adorjan to the club’s official website.

“When I arrived at Dundalk I wasn’t in the best physical condition but I think I am catching up now. I felt good on the pitch and I enjoyed it a lot.

“Shamrock Rovers were the first team that I played against here in Ireland and they were very physical and it was a tough game when we drew there.

“I expect a good game because Shamrock Rovers are our rivals so hopefully we can come out on top.”

Dundalk have amazingly yet to concede a goal this season, but goalkeeper Gary Rogers is set to miss the next few weeks after being forced off just nine minutes into the win over Bohs with a calf injury.

Brian Gartland and Karolis Chvedukas are still missing for the Lilywhites, but Sean Hoare and Ronan Murray should both return to the squad after recovering from groin and ankle injuries respectively.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers are in desperate need of something from this match, even at this early stage, as they bid to try and keep up with the chasing pack at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table.

The Hoops were last week rocked by the news that Trevor Clarke will miss the remainder of the season after suffering knee ligament damage in the defeat to Waterford a fortnight ago.

Ally Gilchrist, who was sent off in that match, returns from suspension but Sean Boyd and former Republic of Ireland international defender Joey O’Brien both miss out through injury as the games come thick and fast for Stephen Bradley’s side.

“This month coming up we’ve a lot of games on Fridays and Mondays where we can use the squad and change it around,” he told the club's website.

“We’ve done okay in the first round of games, we’re frustrated that we didn’t get points in certain games but it’s a decent start.

“I think Friday will be no different to last year at Oriel Park, a tight game. They’re a good side and so are we. They haven’t conceded a goal and obviously we can change that tomorrow.

“We just have to play to our levels. If we do that we’re good enough to create chances against any team in the league.

“I think we’ve shown that in the league this year against every team. Looking at the performances home and away, more times than not they’ve been good but we’ve got to turn the away performances into points.

“There’s no point in coming away saying we did well, this happened and that happened. We’ll be looking to put that right in this round of games.”

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

Should the Lilywhites prevent Shamrock Rovers from scoring, then they would beat a club record of eight consecutive clean sheets in the league, which has stood since the 1990/91 season.

Coincidentally, the team to put an end to that sequence was none other than Shamrock Rovers, who lost 2-1 to Dundalk at the RDS Arena in April 1991 – Tom McNulty and Ronnie Murphy both scored for the Lilywhites that day.

Renewing acquaintances will be Sean Gannon and Stephen O’Donnell, who have both previously played for Shamrock Rovers while Ronan Finn enjoyed two very successful seasons with Dundalk between 2015 and 2016.

BETTING

Dundalk 4/6; Draw 13/5; Shamrock Rovers 4/1

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

Dundalk

Injured: Gary Rogers, Brian Gartland, Karolis Chvedukas.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Trevor Clarke, Sean Boyd, Joey O’Brien.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.