League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Shamrock Rovers

SLIGO ROVERS

The Bit O’ Red welcome back Shamrock Rovers to the Showgrounds for the second time this season for this early evening Bank Holiday Monday match (kick-off 6pm).

When the sides met in their opening fixture of the season, the 4,248 spectators packed into the Showgrounds saw a dramatic conclusion to the game. The Hoops had taken a first half lead through Graham Burke but Pico Lopes straight red card for a clash with Kailin Barlow proved costly for the champions. Lukas Browning scored a 95^th minute equaliser to the delight of the home supporters in the Showgrounds.

When the team’s last met, Sligo Rovers lost 2-1 in Tallaght Stadium with former Bit O’ Red striker Johnny Kenny getting the opening goal for the Hoops but did not celebrate against the club who gave him his League of Ireland debut. Trevor Clarke added a second just after the hour mark but the visitors couldn’t find an equaliser after Greg Bolger scored in the 69^th minute.

Opposition manager Stephen Bradley was very impressed with John Russell’s side in that game in Tallaght. Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie, Bradley said: “I think we saw in Tallaght that Sligo are a good side and I've no doubt we'll see the best of them Monday night. They have real qualities and we've got to be ready for that and respect that.

“Our levels have to be there where they have been the last two weeks, they can't be what we were against Sligo in Tallaght because that won't be enough. To go up there and get the win, we know we have to be at our best on Monday.

John Russell’s teams have lost four of their last five games with their only win coming against second place Derry City 1-0 last week. Last Friday night they lost 2-0 to Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Last Friday Shamrock Rovers returned to the top of the table following their ten man 2-0 win over Dundalk in Tallaght. They had lost top spot the previous week when they finished with just eight men in the 1-0 defeat in Cork.

On Monday Sean Hoare, Johnny Kenny and Neil Farrugia return for Rovers from suspension but Richie Towell remains out and skipper Ronan Finn will miss out on the match in Sligo after his red card against the Lilywhites. The Hoops are boosted by the return of Dylan Watts and Simon Power from injury.

“We were delighted with the different attributes shown on Friday,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley about the victory over Dundalk when speaking to his club’s media team over the Bank Holiday weekend.

“I thought parts of our play were really good, as was our defending. Our shape, character and spirit throughout the game was really good and especially when we went down to ten men. That was the really pleasing part.

“To be fair to the players, I thought they showed that in Cork the week before too but they were excellent on Friday and you could see that they were determined not to concede a goal.”

The result against Dundalk – thanks to two goals from Aaron Greene - means it remains five years since the Hoops have lost three league games in a row. “I thought the two goals were really good. The first goal was a brilliant team goal. We've worked it from one side to the other and then Ronan with a bit of quality across the box and Aaron is there to put it away.”

The red card came four minutes into the second half but the Hoops wrapped up the win with Greene’s third of the season in the 61st minute. “What's brilliant about the second one, first getting it back and Aaron's pace getting us in but then the understanding of what the goalkeeper had done in the first half, stopping him one-v-one.

“You could see Aaron had recognised that and touched the ball outside, a bigger touch than what he had in the first half to allow him to go and score. It was a really clever bit of play.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

The Hoops are unbeaten at the Showgrounds since May 2019 when the home side won 2-1 with goals from Daryl Fordyce and Jack Keaney either side of an Aaron Greene goal for the visitors.

Last season, the Hoops went undefeated against the Bit O’ Red beating them home and away 3-1, with the other league games last year finishing 2-2 in Tallaght and 1-1 in the Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers striker Max Mata is the top scorer in the league. The Hoops top marksman is Graham Burke with six goals.

PREDICTION

2-0 away win

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Gary Boylan, Garry Buckley, Mark Byrne

Doubtful: Eanna Clancy, Greg Bolger, Nando Pijnaker, Karl O’ Sullivan, James Finnerty, Fabrice Hartmann, Conor Walsh

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Trevor Clarke, Alan Mannus

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Richie Towell, Ronan Finn

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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) June 4, 2023