League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Shamrock Rovers

DROGHEDA UNITED

United welcome Shamrock Rovers to Head in the Game Park for the second time this season (kick-off 3pm). Last time the sides met in Louth, the Hoops claimed all three points with a late goal - something that has become a trademark for the Hoops this season. Danny Mandroiu got the winner in the fifth minute of injury time. 

In Tallaght in June, Tim Clancy’s side were well worth the point they earned after Chris Lyons’ second half goal cancelled out a Graham Burke penalty. Lyons will miss Sunday’s match as he is still recovering following surgery.

Since that game in Tallaght in their subsequent five league games, they have only gained four points and have lost their last three league games.

Other sides have dropped points around them though and so depending on results elsewhere the Drogs could move into fourth place if they can claim all three points, while a point might be enough to move them above Derry City and level on points with Bohs.

Last time out United were well beaten going down 3-0 in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium with Derry City scoring through Jamie McGonigle, and a brace from Danny Lafferty.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Rovers return to league action after their impressive 2-0 win over Teatu in Albania on Thursday – the largest winning margin in an away European match for the Hoops in 39 years and giving them three wins in a row in Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

That win, which gave them a 3-0 aggregate victory to send them into the play-off round of the Europa Conference League, was Rovers’ seventh consecutive win in all competitions.

Liam Scales, who got a 95^th minute winner last Sunday against Longford Town in the league, provided both assists for the goals that were excellently taken by Rory Gaffney.

“They're two great finishes,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley speaking about the goals scored in Albania. “Liam did really well for both goals but Rory's composure to finish both of them was really good. His overall game was good, but those finishes were excellent.

“The players were obviously delighted (with the result). It was an important game for us, and we've gone and been really professional and managed the game really well. We've come away with the 3-0 win over the two legs so we're really happy.

“I'm delighted for the group because we've been very close the last few years and played some tough games against some top clubs around Europe. We've been very, very close and the last couple of games we've obviously gone on and won. It puts us in a good position going into Thursday (away to Flora Tallinn), which will be a really difficult tie, but it puts us in a position that we want to be in”

Having landed back in Dublin on Friday morning at 5am, it is back to domestic action for Rovers on Sunday – the club will have the benefit of a free weekend between the first and second legs of their upcoming European tie after next weekend’s league game with Bohs was postponed.

“I’m sure Drogheda will look at ourselves and think we've played Thursday and that it's a good time to play us and a good time to bounce back with three points. We've got to make sure that we're ready for that which I'm sure we will be. 

“We'll be ready for the best that Drogheda have. It's always a difficult game in Drogheda and I expect Sunday to be no different but we're in really, really good form. We're playing with a lot of confidence.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

The last win for Drogheda United over Rovers’ first team in competitive action came in July 2018 when the Drogs dumped the Hoops out of the FAI Cup with a 1-0 home win. 

Chris Lyons is top scorer for United this season with nine goals with Mark Doyle just one behind him. Rory Gaffney has 11 goals in all competitions (nine in the league and two in Europe).

PREDICTION

2-0 away win 

Drogheda United

Injured: Chris Lyons.

Doubtful: Hugh Douglas, Mark Hughes.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Neil Farrugia

Doubtful:  Dylan Watts, Lee Grace, Joey O'Brien

Suspended: None

Longread: A City Rising https://t.co/xsz7xtMPf4pic.twitter.com/47Gwi1CJo5

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 14, 2021