League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Sligo Rovers

Greg Bolger in action for Shamrock

Greg Bolger in action for Shamrock Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Having had the record breaking league unbeaten run come to a halt at 33 matches after their 2-1 loss to Dundalk on Friday, the Hoops will be looking to bounce back on Monday evening with a win over Sligo Rovers (kick off 7.45pm). 

“It's an unbelievable record and I think we don't quite appreciate how good a record it is,” said Stephen Bradley speaking to shamrockrovers.ie on the eve of the game against Sligo.

“It went for quite some time and there's a reason it's never been done before. It shows the character and mentality from within the group every week. It's an unbelievable achievement.

“It was strange (to lose) because on many fronts it was a really good performance. Everything we did on the night suggests that we should win the game. We hit it (the woodwork) three times, we have Aaron's header and we have one cleared off the line before that as well from a goalmouth scramble. 

“But it wasn't just the chances, I think our play in general was very good. We're disappointed with the goals we gave away and there's a few things we need to tidy up but overall, 9 times out of 10 you win that game. It just wasn't to be on Friday.”

The Hoops are in the midst of a mini-injury although Ronan Finn and Chris McCann may be available for selection. Sean Hoare was hit with a two match suspension and so he will also miss this match on Monday.

In Oriel Park the average age of the Rovers bench on Friday was 19.1, five players had yet to play in the Premier Division and amongst the nine subs they had only played just 27 first team league fixtures between them. Dean Williams was the only sub used and he had played 18 of those Premier Division fixtures for the Hoops.   

“We have a lot of injuries at the moment, there's no getting away from that. Ronan Finn jumps for a ball in the last second of training [on Thursday] and lands awkwardly, which puts him out. That's the type of stuff that's going against us at the moment. But it still didn't have any effect on the performance on the pitch.”

A win would move them five points clear at the top of the table but they face a stiff challenge against a Sligo Rovers side who sit in second place just behind the Hoops.



“I said last year I thought Sligo's position was false and I thought they were a very good side. We've seen evidence of that this year because they have good attacking players. They've shown on a number of occasions this year that they can score goals and create problems so they're a good side.

SLIGO ROVERS

Liam Buckley’s men have the chance to go top of the table on Monday evening if they can get their first win in Tallaght since 2013.

They are unbeaten away from home this season (with 13 points from a possible 15 on offer) and haven’t suffered a defeat in their last five including winning the last three in a row (including a walkover win over Waterford). 

“Of course you see the table where it’s first against second here but the game is about three points,” said Liam Buckley speaking to his club’s media team.



Buckley will be able to call upon Greg Bolger who missed the Bit O’ Red’s last match - a 2-0 home win over Longford Town. The midfielder returns for the first time to Tallaght Stadium where he played 75 competitive matches across three seasons for the Hoops.

“I felt we deserved to win the game last Friday but I would like us to create more and get our general play better. This is a much different game to Friday with due respect to Longford.

“In this one it’s a different type of challenge and we will approach it looking to pick up another result. I do think we have improved over a period of time. 

“We are looking forward to it. We know it’s going to be a tough game and we go there looking to make it as difficult as we can for Shamrock Rovers. I feel this will be a very tight game. It was certainly like that in Sligo (against Shamrock Rovers).”

The Bit O’ Red missed out on the win in that match as Walter Figueria scored eight minutes from time, after a rare Alan Mannus error, only for John Mahon to turn Rory Gaffney’s shot into his own net on 88 minutes.

“Obviously Shamrock Rovers were beaten on Friday which ended the run they had. All good things must come to an end so it was going to happen at some stage. We’ve looked at that game and they had lots of chances over the 90 minutes. We know they’re a top side and the defeat doesn’t change anything.”

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

The last time Sligo beat the Hoops was in May 2019 – a 2-1 win in the Showgrounds. Daryl Fordyce and Jack Keaney scored for the home side with Dan Carr getting the goal for the Hoops.

Their last win in Tallaght was in October 2013 – Aaron Greene was on the scoresheet that day for Sligo equalising Shane Robinson’s opener with Danny North getting the winner on 71 minutes.

The Hoops haven’t lost a league game in Tallaght for 696 days since Dundalk won 1-0 in Tallaght with Sean Gannon on the scoresheet for the Lilywhites. They’ve played 22 league games since then winning 16 of them. In domestic action, that unbeaten run in Tallaght is 27 matches with 20 wins.

PREDICTION

1-0 home win 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Neil Farrugia, Sean Kavanagh, Dylan Watts

Doubtful: Chris McCann, Ronan Finn 

Suspended: Sean Hoare

Sligo Rovers

Injured: David Cawley, Danny Kane, Darren Collins

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

 

    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