League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Drogheda United

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

Shamrock Rovers are seeking their seventh league win in a row when they face Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium on Friday (kick-off 8pm) in what is set to be Stephent Bradley's 300th match in charge of the Hoops.

In Rovers' recent double header of fixtures, the Hoops won 3-0 in Belfield last Friday followed by a 3-2 home win over St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night.

Stephen Bradley described the result against the Saints as “a good win” when speaking to his club’s media team. 

The Hoops went a goal down due to a deflected effort before Lee Grace equalised. Richie Towell put them a goal up before a Leon Pohls error allowed the Athletic to equalise.

“It was important to keep the (winning) run going but I think our overall play deserved it,” said Bradley. “ Pat's had one opportunity in the game, I know they score a deflection and then a mistake from Leon. And when you look at the chances we created, we definitely deserved to win the game.

"Unfortunately for goalkeepers, when they make one mistake, it usually gets punished. The other players on the pitch can make five or six but the goalkeeper makes one and it usually ends up in the net, so it's unfortunate for Leon. But he'll learn from that and be better for it, I'm sure.

"The way we responded, I don't think that can ever be in doubt with this team. They keep going and they've built up tremendous resilience, character and belief over the years."

Towell scored what proved the winner last week against Pats from the penalty spot a minute from time.

"Richie was very good again. He had a hand in everything good that we did on the night, in and out of possession so I'm delighted for him to get his two goals. He had a couple of half chances in the first half as well. He did really well, and he was involved in a lot of our good stuff."

DROGHEDA UNITED

The last three league fixtures between the sides have finished 1-1 with United’s last victory over the Hoops coming prior to this run of drawn games – a 1-0 home win in May last year. That was their first league win over the Hoops since April 2017 (although they did knock the Hoops out of the FAI Cup in July 2018).

Having had a positive start to the season including a win in Derry in April, the Drogs have only two points from the last seven games. Their most recent defeats were a 1-0 home defeat to Derry City and last week’s 3-0 loss in Richmond Park against St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Speaking about Drogheda United, Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley said: "I've no doubt they'll be tough opposition, like they always are. When you watch their recent games, the scoreline can be a bit misleading. Against Derry, they'll feel they should have got at least a point out of it, if not won the game if you look at their chances.

"St Pat's last week is a really tight game until the 75th or 80th minute and then they obviously concede goals. I think in a lot of their recent games the scorelines don't really reflect the performances, so we know it's going to be a difficult game.

"They have been tight games (between Rovers and United) and I've no doubt Friday will be the same again. They'll come with a game plan to make it difficult. We've got to respect that and be ready for that."

Ryan Brennan’s late equaliser earned a point for Drogheda against nine man Shamrock Rovers when the sides met earlier in the season in Weavers Park. The red cards – and subsequent suspensions – for Lee Grace and Dan Cleary led to Rovers’ poor run of results at the start of the season.

Kevin Doherty can call upon Emmanuel Adegboyega on his return from suspension but Michael Leddy won’t be part of the United squad due to his loan deal from parent club Shamrock Rovers.

Injury means Evan Weir, Darragh Noone, Jarlath Jones and Elicha Ahui all miss out.

Referee: Rob Harvey

MATCH STATS
Michelle O’Neill will run the line in Tallaght fresh from being assistant referee on Wednesday for Arsenal’s 4-1 away win over Everton in the Women’s Super League.

In their last ten games, Shamrock Rovers have won nine and drawn one but are facing a team who they have drawn with in each of the last three league fixtures.

Freddie Draper is top scorer for United with three goals. The Hoops have four players with four goals (Trevor Clarke, Richie Towell, Johnny Kenny and Rory Gaffney) with Graham Burke leading the scoring for the Hoops with six goals.

Free scoring Rovers have netted 19 goals from their eight home league games so far this season but only UCD (14) have conceded more goals than Rovers 13 at home.

PREDICTION
2-0 home win for the Hoops

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Alan Mannus, Dylan Watts, Simon Power.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: Evan Weir, Darragh Noone, Jarlath Jones and Elicha Ahui.

Unavailable: Michael Leddy (due to loan deal with Shamrock Rovers)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Neil Farrugia among League of Ireland trio called up to Ireland training camp - https://t.co/94rjArrGiRhttps://t.co/mQdpRGwpnA

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) May 18, 2023