League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Limerick

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Fifth in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division’s plays ninth as Shamrock Rovers welcome Limerick to the Tallaght Stadium.

After an encouraging performance at Oriel Park (although they lost 2-1) when they became the first side to score a league goal against Dundalk this season, the Hoops are mired in something of a mini crisis after further reverses against Bohemians (from a winning position) last week and at the Carlisle Grounds on Monday.

Speaking to Shamrock Rovers media team ahead of a second encounter with Limerick this term, Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley offered this view of the 1-0 loss against the Seagulls: "We obviously wanted to go to Bray and win the game, but we gave away a sloppy goal and were punished. We know the individual errors have cost us in games. We've looked at that and we need to put it right going forward because it's costing us. The conditions were the same for both teams, so no excuses. We still shouldn't give the goal we gave away and still shouldn't lose the game. But we did, and we need to regroup and focus again for tomorrow.”

Rovers main striker, Dan Carr, who scored that goal against Dundalk will be an absentee against Limerick. “I watched back Dan Carr's red card,” mused Bradley. “I don't think there's much in it, but I can see why the ref has given a second yellow.”

Bradley identified some of positives from the Bray match. “We looked at the team that we thought could win the game on a given night and that's what we do all the time. I thought Brandon Kavanagh (on his league debut) did well coming on, considering the conditions and that we were down to ten men and chasing the game. Kevin Horgan showed tremendous character in the last two games. He's got a lot of criticism and I think he showed what he's made of to come back and perform the way he has.”

The Rovers boss offers a straightforward assessment of his team’s current predicament. “You're obviously hurting when you lose a game and the last two games have hurt us. We're looking to put that right tomorrow night, to get back to what we're good at and win the game. We haven't become a bad team overnight. Two weeks ago, we went and played really well in Dundalk and were very unlucky not to come out of the game with something. Unfortunately, in the last four days we've lost two games. We just need to get back to basics and back to winning games.”

Attention now switches to Tommy Barrett’s charges. “I watched Limerick on Tuesday against Dundalk and I think the pitch in Tallaght will suit them. They've some good players and they'll want to come and win the game. So, we've got to be ready for them and respect them and make sure we hit our levels. Gary Shaw has had to wait, he's had to be patient because Dan has done well. Now it's a chance for Gary to get in the team and stay in the team. Sean Boyd just trained today for the first time, it might be a bit early for him."

LIMERICK

After a positive opening to the season in which four points were garnered from their first two matches, Limerick are struggling, hovering close to the relegation trapdoor. A couple of away thumping’s (by Dundalk and Derry City) and a paucity of goals see the Blues on nine points, with just Bray Wanderers behind them in the table.

An encouraging home draw against champions Cork City over the St. Patrick’s weekend has been followed by a run of six league games in which Limerick have picked-up just a single point (a goalless draw against Bohemians) and scored just one goal.

It could be touch and go in the run up to kick off for Limerick who could be missing a number of key players who have all been listed as doubtful – Connor Ellis (groin), Danny Morrissey (quad), Mark O'Sullivan (shoulder), Tony Whitehead (hamstring), Daniel Kearns (quad).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

MATCH FACTS

A second half goal from top-scorer Graham Burke gave Rovers all three points on the last occasion the sides met in the Premier Division. That was at the Market’s Field a month ago.

The most recent encounter between the clubs at Tallaght Stadium in October 2017 when the Hoops signed-off their campaign with a 2-1 victory, courtesy of second-half strikes by Ronan Finn and Brandon Miele. Rovers and Limerick played out a 1-1 draw in last season’s other league match in Tallaght, a late Rodrigo Tosi strike for Limerick cancelling out Roberto Lopes first half opener for Rovers.

Limerick left sided player Billy Dennehy will return to one of his former clubs. Dennehy won two league medals during his four seasons in the famous green and white hoops.

Last five league matches: Shamrock Rovers LWLLL; Limerick LLDLL.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 4/11; Limerick 15/2; Draw 13/4.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Limerick

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Trevor Clarke (long-term).

Doubtful: Sean Boyd.

Suspended: Dan Carr.

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful:. Connor Ellis (groin), Danny Morrissey (quad), Mark O'Sullivan (shoulder), Tony Whitehead (hamstring), Daniel Kearns (quad).

Suspended: None.