League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk

Greg Sloggett of Dundalk FC heads the ball in front of the Rovers goal

Greg Sloggett of Dundalk FC heads the ball in front of the Rovers goal Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

The Hoops start the second half of the season level on points and goal difference with St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers with the Saints top of the table on goals scored. Rovers entertain Dundalk in Tallaght Stadium (kick off 8pm) as they seek their first home win in two months. 

Since they beat Waterford 3-0 in the beginning of May which was their last clean sheet at home, they lost 1-0 in Tallaght to Sligo Rovers and have drawn three matches 1-1 (against Derry City, Finn Harps and last week’s match against Drogheda United). 

“I thought for a large majority of the game we were very, very good,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley speaking about last week’s draw with Drogheda.

“We switched off, got sloppy for 15-20 minutes of the second half and obviously gave away a really poor penalty, but our performance was good. 

“We had chances, we hit the post, but to be fair to Drogheda, they hung in there and they got their penalty, and they deserved their point in the end.”

Rovers had taken the lead through Graham Burke who scored his fourth penalty this year bringing his goal tally to seven but he will miss Friday’s match against the Lilywhites due to a suspension having picked up five yellow cards so far this season.

Available for the Hoops for the first time will be Richie Towell (subject to international clearance) and Rovers recent injury concerns have lessened giving Bradley a few more options with his starting XI – Dylan Watts, Sean Kavanagh and Joey O’Brien should all be available for selection.

“Richie’s been great since we got him in. He adds so much to the group. He's a real leader and we're looking forward to getting him going.”

Dundalk ended Rovers record breaking league unbeaten run off 33 games when the team last met and Bradley noted that his team are in for a difficult fixture against the team who beat them in the FAI Cup final last year.



“One thing that hasn't changed with Dundalk - with all the changes up there in the background - one thing that hasn't changed is that they have a group of really talented players, and that's always been the case.

"It's going to be a difficult game. We know that. They come with quality in their team, and we'll be ready for that.

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites travel to Tallaght for their second league fixture against the Hoops buoyed by recent back-to-back wins over Derry City (at home 2-1) and Drogheda United (1-0 away).

Having claimed the President’s Cup on penalties in the curtain raiser to the season, Dundalk maybe felt they should have got more from the league game when they lost 2-1 in their second game of the league campaign.



Since then there has been much turmoil in Dundalk but Vinny Perth has returned and looks to have steadied the ship with those recent results but he will have to do without the talismanic Chris Shields who has left for Linfield.

The former Dundalk skipper has filled in at centre back and it looks like Perth has a problem in that position for this game in Dublin 24. Already missing the injured Brian Gartland and Daniel Cleary both Andy Boyle (following a medical procedure) and Sonni Nattestad are struggling to be fit for Friday’s game.

“Away to Shamrock Rovers is probably the hardest game you can have at the moment,” said Perth speaking to the Dundalk FC media team about Friday’s match. 

“It’s difficult, but we need people to stick with us. There are going to be good times and there will be bad times and we haven’t turned the corner yet at this club. We have a long way to go.

“We are starting to steady the ship, that’s all. We are focused on Rovers and we are looking forward to it. “

The Lilywhites have released Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe on loan to Derry City but coming the other way is Will Patching whose loan spell with the Candystripes has ended and he makes a return to Oriel Park.

“I enjoyed it at Derry,” said Patching speaking to the Dundalk media team. “Declan Devine and Ruaidhri Higgins gave me the freedom to play and I got a good run of games under my belt. I feel fitter and stronger and it’s what I needed for a couple of years now.

"I’m excited to be back now and I just want to carry on where I left off and play as many games as I can and chip in with as many goals and assists as I can.”

For the third match in a row, there will be 1,000 spectators in Tallaght and like last week against Drogheda, a section of away support will be in attendance to cheer on their team.

Referee: Damien MacGraith

MATCH STATS
The Hoops are without a win in their last four matches in Tallaght losing one and drawing three. That is their worst run in the league at home since mid-2015 when they also picked up three points in four home games.

The Lilywhites last league victory in Tallaght was a 1-0 win in June 2019 with Sean Gannon scoring the winner. 

PREDICTION

2-1 home win

Shamrock Rovers 

Injured: Neil Farrugia

Doubtful: Chris McCann  

Suspended: Graham Burke

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland, Daniel Cleary 

Doubtful: Andy Boyle, Sonni Nattestad

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