The Title Contenders - Shamrock Rovers
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
In the two horse race at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division, extratime.ie reporter John Robert Dunne takes a look at Shamrock Rovers’ and explains why he thinks they can snatch the league.
Shamrock Rovers
Manager: Michael O’Neill
Current position: (Start of season prediction) 1 (4)
Home-ground: Tallaght Stadium
Top Scorer: Gary Twigg (22)
Star Man:Gary Twigg has been nothing short of outstanding for Rovers this season, 22 league goals says it all. The Scotsman’s touch and positional sense are excellent but his finishing ability is the core reason that Rovers are top of the league.
Story So Far: Regardless of how the season finishes this will always be looked upon as a historic season for the Hoops due to their long awaited move to Tallaght. Following the euphoria of their first ‘home’ match in 20 years Rovers started the season poorly with only 5 points from their first five games. However they have roared back up the table and put together a 21 match unbeaten run in the league dating back to the 1st May. Add in the glamour friendly against Real Madrid and this truly has been an amazing year for the club following years in the wilderness.
The appointment of Michael O’Neill from Brechin City has been key; despite the squad only being a part-time outfit the former Northern Ireland international has turned the side into a solid team that are difficult to break down. Aidan Price at centre half has been a rock all season and with Shane Robinson and Stephen Rice providing cover in the centre of midfield Rovers have lost only once away all season, conceding just eight goals, comfortably the best record in the division..
While their early season home form was poor, losing to Derry and Bray, this all changed with victory against great rivals Bohemians. Rovers were 1-0 behind in injury time only for Twigg to score twice in a minute to send the home crowd wild. This can be seen as the turning point of the year as Twigg then went on an amazing scoring run which saw Rovers rise up the table. They still trailed Bohs’ by a distance but Rovers kept winning and with their rivals suffering shock back to back defeats to Bray and Sligo, Rovers found themselves as genuine title contenders.
A key to their resurgence has been the strengthening of the squad when most other clubs have been forced to sell. O’Neill has used his contacts in the Northern Ireland and Scotland to recruit well and often. Craig Sives has arrived from Hearts and been excellent at centre back, with Pat Sullivan (Cork City) and Paddy Kavanagh (Bray Wanderers) also contributing well. The arrival of two international players in Graham Barrett (seven caps for Ireland) and Alan Mannus (four caps for N.I.), who has become first choice in goal, have added plenty of experience.
In recent weeks, Twigg, having not had a break in over a year has started to tire, but other players have stood up with Padraig Amond and Dessie Baker scoring the only goals against Bohs’ and Derry respectively. Both games were crucial and make a real statement that this Rovers team is the real deal. Wide men Stephen Bradley and Sean O’Connor have also excelled as Rovers push for their first title in 15 years.
Remaining Fixtures: Drogheda Utd (H), Cork City (H), Dundalk (A), Galway Utd (H), St.Patricks Athletic (A)
Verdict: Champions. Rovers have all the momentum and having not lost in 21 matches and I believe that, despite a tricky run in, they have the squad and the manager to hold on to lift the title.
Shamrock Rovers
Manager: Michael O’Neill
Current position: (Start of season prediction) 1 (4)
Home-ground: Tallaght Stadium
Top Scorer: Gary Twigg (22)
Star Man:Gary Twigg has been nothing short of outstanding for Rovers this season, 22 league goals says it all. The Scotsman’s touch and positional sense are excellent but his finishing ability is the core reason that Rovers are top of the league.
Story So Far: Regardless of how the season finishes this will always be looked upon as a historic season for the Hoops due to their long awaited move to Tallaght. Following the euphoria of their first ‘home’ match in 20 years Rovers started the season poorly with only 5 points from their first five games. However they have roared back up the table and put together a 21 match unbeaten run in the league dating back to the 1st May. Add in the glamour friendly against Real Madrid and this truly has been an amazing year for the club following years in the wilderness.
The appointment of Michael O’Neill from Brechin City has been key; despite the squad only being a part-time outfit the former Northern Ireland international has turned the side into a solid team that are difficult to break down. Aidan Price at centre half has been a rock all season and with Shane Robinson and Stephen Rice providing cover in the centre of midfield Rovers have lost only once away all season, conceding just eight goals, comfortably the best record in the division..
While their early season home form was poor, losing to Derry and Bray, this all changed with victory against great rivals Bohemians. Rovers were 1-0 behind in injury time only for Twigg to score twice in a minute to send the home crowd wild. This can be seen as the turning point of the year as Twigg then went on an amazing scoring run which saw Rovers rise up the table. They still trailed Bohs’ by a distance but Rovers kept winning and with their rivals suffering shock back to back defeats to Bray and Sligo, Rovers found themselves as genuine title contenders.
A key to their resurgence has been the strengthening of the squad when most other clubs have been forced to sell. O’Neill has used his contacts in the Northern Ireland and Scotland to recruit well and often. Craig Sives has arrived from Hearts and been excellent at centre back, with Pat Sullivan (Cork City) and Paddy Kavanagh (Bray Wanderers) also contributing well. The arrival of two international players in Graham Barrett (seven caps for Ireland) and Alan Mannus (four caps for N.I.), who has become first choice in goal, have added plenty of experience.
In recent weeks, Twigg, having not had a break in over a year has started to tire, but other players have stood up with Padraig Amond and Dessie Baker scoring the only goals against Bohs’ and Derry respectively. Both games were crucial and make a real statement that this Rovers team is the real deal. Wide men Stephen Bradley and Sean O’Connor have also excelled as Rovers push for their first title in 15 years.
Remaining Fixtures: Drogheda Utd (H), Cork City (H), Dundalk (A), Galway Utd (H), St.Patricks Athletic (A)
Verdict: Champions. Rovers have all the momentum and having not lost in 21 matches and I believe that, despite a tricky run in, they have the squad and the manager to hold on to lift the title.
