League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk

Sam Stanton (Dundalk) and Chris McCann (Shamrock Rovers) during the President's Cup

Sam Stanton (Dundalk) and Chris McCann (Shamrock Rovers) during the President's Cup Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

The Hoops welcome Dundalk to Tallaght for the second time this year (kick off 7.45pm) after the season opening President's Cup ended with the Lilywhites lifting the trophy thanks to penalty shootout win. 

Rovers had to sit out on action last week after their game away to Derry City was postponed due to an international callup for City ‘keeper Nathan Gartside (although he did not travel with the Northern Ireland squad as an administrative error in not registering a therapeutic use exemption for medication in time with UEFA ruled him out).

“Obviously with no game you have to work hard but also be careful with what’s coming,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley speaking with his club’s media team ahead of the first of seven league games scheduled for Rovers this month. “The schedule coming is really heavy.”

The Hoops began the defence of their league title a fortnight ago with a home draw against St. Patrick’s Athletic. They had fallen behind to a late own goal but salvaged a point through Aaron Green’s header off a Sean Hoare centre.

“Their goal is really poor from our point of view, there’s three or four mistakes leading up to it and then the deflection to go into the net. Considering they had one shot on target, it was really disappointing to concede a goal. At that point we were in total control of the game.

“I was delighted with our goal because it showed a lot of really positive attributes that we did to go and push for the equaliser and maybe we could have nicked it in the end. For Aaron’s header he has to generate all the power and pace on the ball. He’s competing with the centre-half as well so it was a fantastic header

“It shows tremendous character and belief from the players. I think it also shows where the game was at that stage when St Pat’s scored, the mindset that we were in. We were in control of the game and I think you could feel that when they scored. It didn’t knock us, we just continued on from tip off and Aaron scored a fantastic header.”

“In the second half we got control of the game and were unlucky not to be ahead by one or two. We had some good chances and their keeper made good saves which kept them in it. We did well in the second half “

Bradley will be without Pico Lopes who is quarantining on his return from helping Cape Verde qualify for the African Nations Cup. He played in their 1-0 home win over Cameroon (the hosts of the tournament that will take place next January).



DUNDALK

The Lilywhites are seeking their first win of the season having drawn away to Sligo Rovers on the opening weekend and losing in Oriel Park to early league leaders Finn Harps last week. 

They will not want to leave Tallaght on Friday night winless from their opening three league games. 

Dundalk were able to overcome a slow start in 2019 to overhaul a large lead that Rovers eeked out early in the season. There was no such opportunity for them in last year’s COVID-19 hit shortened 18 game campaign which Rovers ran out unbeaten - finishing 22 points ahead of the Lilywhites.

Team Manager Shane Keengan acknowledged that they don’t want to find themselves in  similar situation three years in a row.

“You look at the last two season and, in both seasons, Rovers have streaked ahead in the early stages and thankfully the club was able to put in a monumental effort in 2019 and bring that back around,” said Keegan.



“Last year it just wasn't going to happen in a shortened season but more-so because of the relentless pace of Rovers' performances. We just can't put ourselves in a position where we're trying to do it for a third time.

“We need to make sure that after a half dozen games, we're right there in the mix and that there is a very little points gap between us and anybody else unless it is us well ahead of them,” said Keegan.

The last two games between the sides have ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes but Dundalk went on both times to get their hands on silverware – winning the Presidents Cup on penalties and last December beating the Hoops 4-2 after extra-time in the FAI Cup final to stop Rovers winning the double.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS
Rovers have conceded just two goals in their last 12 league matches. They are unbeaten in the league since September 2019 when Dundalk won 3-2 win in Oriel Park. 

The Lilywhites are also the last team to win a league game against the Hoops in Tallaght – that was a 1-0 win in June 2019 with Sean Gannon scoring the winner. Since then Rovers have lost just the one game in Tallaght – that was a 2-0 loss to AC Milan in the Europa League qualifiers.

When the teams last met in the league, Rovers ran out 4-0 winners in Oriel Park in a match when Dundalk’s lineup showed they had one eye on their Europa League group stage campaign.

PREDICTION

2-1 home win

Shamrock Rovers 

Injured: None

Quarantining: Pico Lopes

Doubtful: Gary O’Neill, Neil Farrugia

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: Sean Murray, Daniel Kelly

Doubtful: Patrick McEleney

Suspended: Sonni Nattestad 

 

 

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile