League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Drogheda United

SHAMROCK ROVERS

A key part of Shamrock Rovers defence of their title last season was the number of late goals. However, they were on the receiving end of some late goal action last Friday night as they coughed up a goal to Derry City deep in stoppage time to suffer their first defeat of the season.

“We've scored so many late goals so we understand the feeling that you get from winning games so late and we were on the receiving end of it on Friday,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley about the 2-1 loss away to Derry City.

“It's a hard one to take, considering the last sort of 20 minutes of the game, we were the team that were controlling the game. We were in full control of the game at that point and it's just a very rare mistake that we make and get punished for, so we're disappointed.”

Having beaten UCD 3-0 at Tallaght Stadium on the opening night of this season, they are aiming to make it back-to-back home wins at the start of this campaign when they welcome Drogheda United to Dublin 24 on Monday evening.

“You always want a game to come around as quickly as possible and thankfully we have that Monday night. We watched their game against Shels and it was a very even game.

"They worked extremely hard and made chances so I'm sure they'll feel that they could have got a draw out of that game. They have some very dangerous players in the attacking part of the pitch.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Having only played the one game so far this season due to the weather intervention theat prevented their away game against Finn Harps on opening night, it is probably mean spirited to note that Drogheda United are bottom of the table. 

The positive viewpoint to take is that should they get a win on Monday, they would move level with the back-to-back champions Shamrock Rovers in the very early table.

The Boynesiders lost their opening game of the league campaign 2-0 at home to Shelbourne last Friday night, conceding three minutes into the second half and three minutes into second half injury time.

“The first half (against Shels) we were by far the better side,” said United boss Kevin Doherty speaking to his club’s media team after the loss to the Reds. 

“We didn’t punish them. Second half, the two goals were bad play and two mistakes by us. The second goal came in injury time when we were chasing the game. 

“It was the first game of the season for us and there were a lot of positives.”

They now need to pick themselves up quickly as they go to take on the champions – United have not beaten Rovers in Tallaght in a top flight game for eight years.

“This is the Premier Division. If you don’t want tough games, don’t be in it,” said Doherty about the challenge ahead of them in Dublin 24 on Monday.

Referee: Adriano Reale 

MATCH STATS

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

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. 

Jamie McGonigle’s goal for Derry City last Friday night – in the 95^th minute of injury time – was the first time in nearly four years that Rovers lost a league game by conceding a goal in injury time. The last occasion was at Tallaght Stadium when Darragh Leahy got the winner for Bohs in the 99^th minute in the Gypsies’ 2-1 win in Tallaght on 13 April 2018.

PREDICTION

2-0 home win 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Neil Farrugia, Sean Kavanagh

Doubtful:  None

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Eddie Lennon captured an interested spectator at a sold out Dalymount Park on Friday night. The @ExtratimeNews photo galleries from @bfcdublin v @DundalkFC are available here: https://t.co/jhRPgWBlV5pic.twitter.com/mqh76oUF7A

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 27, 2022