League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Drogheda United

Action from Shamrock Rovers 1-0 win in Head in the Game Park against Drogheda United earlier this season

Action from Shamrock Rovers 1-0 win in Head in the Game Park against Drogheda United earlier this season Credit: Larry McQuillan (ETPhotos)

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Friday’s nights set of fixtures represent the half way point of the season and the Hoops go into their game against Drogheda United (kick-off 8pm) level on points and goal difference with St. Patrick’s Athletic but sit second in the table as the Saints have scored three more goals.

Stephen Bradley’s side lost top spot last Monday night after a 1-0 Dublin derby defeat in Dalymount Park. Having gone 33 Premier Division games unbeaten stretching back to 2019, the Hoops have lost three of their last six matches.

Rovers rued their first half misses against Bohs in Monday’s derby. “Really disappointed,” was Stephen Bradley’s reaction to losing the game where Rory Gaffney had a number of early guilt edge chances that weren’t taken.

“We should win the game, we have enough chances to win the game, but we don't take them and we get punished with the one shot on target that they had, but that's football. We have to suck it up and move on. 

“When you get four or five good chances, in any game, it's important you take them. Especially in a derby because you usually don't get that many, but we had them on Monday night and like I said, we just didn't take them and sometimes that happens and we got punished. 

"They (Bohs) had one shot on target and they score from it, and if you don't take your chances, that's unfortunately what can happen.”

The injury crisis at Rovers has eased somewhat with Ronan Finn returning to action earlier this week and Dylan Watts and Sean Kavanagh available for selection for Friday. However Chris McCann is out while Joey O’Brien is still a doubt. 

Similar to a fortnight ago and the home game against Finn Harps, Friday’s fixture will be played out in front of 1,000 spectators and Bradley is delighted to have supporters back in Tallaght – with the venue being used a government test event.

“Having the fans against Finn Harps was brilliant. They brought great energy to the ground and to the play and we look forward to having that again tomorrow night.” 



DROGHEDA UNITED

Fifth placed Drogheda travel to Tallaght to take on the Hoops in Premier Division action for the first time since 2017. It will also be the first time that away fans will be present in the venue since Dundalk’s visit back in February 2020.

As part of the government test event, 100 away spectators will attend the match. Like the Hoops, Drogheda come into the Friday’s fixture having lost last Monday night in derby action 1-0 to Dundalk.

When Tim Clany’s side faced Rovers earlier in the season, it looked like they had secured a point in a scoreless draw at Head in the Game Park, only for Danny Mandroiu to head home an injury time winner for the Hoops.

With Bohemians not playing till Saturday night when they go to Sligo, a win for Drogheda would move them into fourth place in the table.

Clancy should be able to call upon Mark Hughes who returned as part of United’s squad for last Monday’s game. However, Hugh Douglas is out and skipper Jake Hyland is a doubt having missed Monday’s derby defeat to Dundalk.



Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

While Drogheda haven’t played the Hoops first team in league action for four years, they did play Stephen Bradley’s side more recently in Tallaght. The Hoops beat the United 4-0 in Dublin 24 in 2019 on the way to winning their 25th FAI Cup. The previous year the Drogs dumped Rovers out of the cup with a 1-0 home win.

July 2014 was the last time Drogheda won a Premier Division game in Tallaght. Gavan Holohan scored the only goal of that game.

Mark Doyle and former Rovers B team player Chris Lyons have both scored seven league goals for the Drogs this season. Rory Gaffney and Graham Burke are top scorers for the Hoops with six each.

PREDICTION

2-0 home win 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Neil Farrugia

Doubtful:  Joey O’Brien

Suspended: Chris McCann

Drogheda United

Injured: Hugh Douglas

Doubtful: Jake Hyland

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