League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- UCD AFC

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops will be hoping to not only move to six games unbeaten but make it three wins in a row after their game against UCD in Tallaght Stadium on Easter Monday (kick-off 8pm).

Having won their first game of the season in Oriel Park last week, Rovers made it back-to-back away victories by beating Bohs in Dalymount Park on Good Friday. With six goals scored and two clean sheets from those two matches, Rovers are beginning to motor.

Reflecting on Rovers’ victory on Friday with shamrockrovers.ie Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley said: “It's always nice to win any game but obviously a Dublin derby away from home and just to back up the win in Dundalk.

"It was important that we did and the players went and won the game quite comfortably in the end."

Goals from Neil Farrugia and Rory Gaffney gave the Hoops the victory and speaking about the goalscorers Bradley said: “I'm delighted for both because Rory was a nightmare for their defenders all game. He caused them problems in every scenario, coming to feet, going behind and holding the ball.

"Neil was brilliant so I was delighted that both were able to cap those performances with goals. They were excellent on the night.

"I think every player was excellent to be fair but Jack (Byrne) and Graham (Burke) when they're like that, in that form and work like that for the team, they're very, very hard to deal with.

"They worked extremely hard for the team first of all and then they bring that quality that we know they have. I thought both of them at times were unplayable."

UCD AFC

Andy Myler’s men are rooted to the bottom of the table and are still seeking their first victory of the league campaign.

The omens aren’t good for them as they have lost their last dozen league games against Rovers and it is eight league games since they have even scored against the Hoops – that was in a 3-1 defeat in March 2019 when Yoyo Mahdy scored.

The Students travel to Tallaght to take on a resurgent Rovers side who haven’t lost a home game in the league against the Students in over two decades.

UCD do at least come into the match having earned a point in their last fixture – a scoreless draw with Shelbourne at the UCD Bowl last Friday – and it leaves them four points behind ninth placed Cork City.

Speaking to extratime.com recently Andy Myler said: “I don’t worry too much about the points gap because a win or two can close the gap.”

Meanwhile Stephen Bradley says he is “expecting a tough game and the best UCD to show up. We've got to make sure that we respect them, like we do every team and I've no doubt we will. It's the same three points on offer tomorrow night as it was on Friday night so our mentality and approach doesn't change. We give UCD the respect they deserve and we'll be fully focused on trying to win the game."

Referee: Damien MacGraith
 

MATCH STATS

UCD have never won a Premier Division fixture in Tallaght Stadium and it is 21 years since they last beat Rovers at home in the league (that was 1-0 win in 2002 when the Hoops were playing their home games in Richmond Park).

The Students last avoided a defeat against Rovers in July 2013 when they drew 1-1 in Tallaght when Robbie Benson scored the Students goal that day. Their last win over the Hoops came earlier that season when they earned a 2-0 victory in Belfield. 

PREDICTION

3-0 home win

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Simon Power, Liam Burt

Doubtful: Ronan Finn, Richie Towell.

Suspended: None

UCD AFC

Injured: Mikey Raggett.

Doubtful: Evan Osam.

Suspended: None

Premier Division round-up: Shamrock Rovers claim derby spoils against Bohs as Drogheda United stun Derry City
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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 8, 2023