League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Shamrock Rovers

SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints are seeking a win over Shamrock Rovers on Friday in the south Dublin derby, a victory that would draw them level with the Hoops in fifth place in the table (kick off 7.45pm).

Liam Buckley’s men are looking to bounce back from last Monday’s demoralising defeat to Dundalk in Oriel Park. Having held the Lilywhites scoreless in the first half, the Saints conceded five unanswered second half goals.

"Monday was hugely disappointing,” said Liam Buckley speaking to stpatsfc.com. “The second half performance was a long way off what we expect as a management team and what the players demand of themselves." 

At Richmond Park, St. Pat’s are undefeated in their last five league games – indeed their only loss this year was on the opening night of the season when they went down 3-2 to Cork City. When Pat’s played Rovers in Tallaght earlier in the season, the difference between the sides was just a Kevin Toner own goal.

“We narrowly lost out to Rovers in March and I felt we could have taken something from the game. We need a fully committed performance and need to ensure we apply ourselves properly.

“We have been strong at home this season so hopefully we can maintain that run of form with a result on Friday. It's a Dublin derby so it's a big game.

Simon Madden is relishing the prospect of this game against his former team. "It's just a great buzz, between before the game and during the game as you feel both sets of fans giving each other stick,” said Madden speaking to his club’s website.

“It's the perfect game for us after the Dundalk game as there'll be a big crowd at it and a lot of our own home support, good atmosphere and hopefully we can get a positive result.

"It's an important game for us as we need to go on a little run if we're to start looking up the table. We need the points as we had been on a little unbeaten run, so we just need to get back winning and picking up consecutive results to start moving up."

Ryan Brennan is available for selection having served a suspension for his sending off in another Dublin Derby – last Friday’s 2-2 home draw with Bohs. There will be late fitness tests for ‘keeper Tyson Farago, midfielder Owen Garvan and striker Christy Fagan.

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

Towards the end of March, the Hoops had the chance to go top of the table with a win in Waterford. However, results didn’t go Rovers way that night or since then – claiming just one victory in their next eight competitive matches before last Monday.

So the win over Cork City earlier this week was very welcome for the Hoops who, to be fair, have put in some decent performances in April for very little reward.

It was a big performance from their little midfield general Aaron Bolger in Monday’s 3-0 win over Cork City. The 18-year-old was the standout performer, along with goalkeeper Kevin Horgan, in the victory.

Bolger was handed his Rovers debut by Stephen Bradley against Cork City in the FAI Cup in 2016. His performance as a 16-year-old back then was the only bright spot as City dismissed Rovers, who were playing with a back three in that game, 5-0.

It was a different result last Monday with the same formation though as Rovers’ back three shut out a City side who had scored in the previous 11 competitive games.

“Aaron Bolger was excellent,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley speaking to shamrockrovers.ie. “I thought he showed a bit of everything in his game and showed a really mature performance.”

Similar to their scoreless draw in Derry last Friday, defender Joey O’Brien lined out in the three man Hoops defence with Roberto Lopes and Lee Grace, as the former Ireland international played his third game in just seven days.

“Ronan Finn and Joey O'Brien were excellent and both really shouldn't have played. They had two bad knocks and couldn't train the day before and even leading up to the game they were struggling. I was going to leave them out but both were adamant and when you have players like that who want to play, you play them. 

"It was a good win [against Cork]. We played well and took our chances. I don't think it was actually our best performance of the season. We've been good in other games, but it was pleasing to get the three goals on top of the performance. 

“I was happy with all aspects of how we played and we fully deserved the win. I thought it was coming, if you look at the Derry game as well. It was good to get the clean sheets in the last two games because we've been good defensively.

“We're three games unbeaten and we need to go and put a run together now. We know it is going to be a tough game because St Pat's have some good players but we'll go there and look to win. We'll go there full of coincidence obviously but we need to remember what makes us a good team.”

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

The Saints were unbeaten against the Hoops last season – winning both games played at Richmond Park. They won 2-1 in March 2017 and followed that up with another win in Inchicore in September 2-0. The game in Tallaght in June was a 1-1 draw.

Shamrock Rovers made it three-in-row in terms of wins in Tallaght over Cork City with their 3-0 victory over last year’s double winners on Monday.

Saints striker Jake Keegan has four league goals to his name this season. Hoops player Graham Burke has nine goals from his 14 league apperances and is currently the Premier Division’s top scorer.  

BETTING

St. Pat’s 17/10; Draw 2/1; Shamrock Rovers 6/4.

PREDICTION

1-1

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Tyson Farago, Owen Garvan, Christy Fagan.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers 

Injured: Trevor Clarke, Sean Boyd.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.