League Preview: Dundalk -v- Shamrock Rovers

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DUNDALK

Since the Lilywhites last lost - a 2-0 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers earlier this month – they have earned ten points from the last dozen on offer, with their most recent result being the 1-1 draw in last Monday’s home clash with St. Patrick’s Athletic.

On a night when the four League of Ireland sides playing in Europe faced off against each other, it was advantage Shamrock Rovers as they defeated Derry City 1-0 at home earlier this week.

“Rovers will come here and be buoyed by their win over Derry on Monday,” said Stephen O’Donnell speaking to his club’s media team.

“Points-wise, they didn’t have a great start to the season, but they’re playing quite well now and they’re one of the teams that can deal with three games in seven days and whatever individuals they play, they’re gonna be strong.

“They’ve been the best team in the country over the last few years and they know how to get their job done in different circumstances but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to meeting head-on.

“It’s the biggest game of the season, we’ve 10 points from the last 12 available and we’re looking forward to it.”

Monday’s results means the Hoops are seven points clear of Derry City and third-placed St Patrick’s Athletic with the Lilywhites a further three behind in fourth place.

Finnish midfielder Johannes Yli-Kokko looking ahead to the game said: “If we can win, it would make it a bit more condensed at the top and as a footballer, all you want is to be involved in the title race.

“Back home in Finland there is always a couple of teams really ahead of the rest and some teams fall behind but here in Ireland, it is so condensed and all of the games are quite close and everyone can win. It’s quite exciting.”



Dundalk were dealt a blow on Monday when Rayhaan Tulloch was sent off and that was his last game for the club. He is suspended for Friday and will return to West Brom.

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

Monday’s match for the Hoops was their last home league game till August but they came away with a crucial 1-0 win over Derry City thanks to Rory Gaffney’s eighth goal of the league campaign.

The victory moved Rovers seven points clear at the top of the table – even if they were made work hard by the Candystripes – following on from the point they earned in the 2-2 draw in Dalymount Park three days previously.

“We were frustrated on Friday that we didn't leave with three points,” said Stephen Bradley reflecting on recent results.



“We obviously wanted to put that right on Monday and it was an important league game considering it's two teams that are really close in the table. It was important that we got a good result, and we did that."

When Rovers last travelled to Oriel Park they won 4-0 and when the sides met earlier this month in Tallaght, Aaron Greene scored both goals for the Hoops.

"Dundalk are a good side,” said Bradley about Friday’s opponents. “They're well organised and have some good players. We know that it's going to be difficult game, it's never anything but that when you play them, home or away."

"You look at both wings as Daniel Kelly and Ryan O'Kane are good players, and Pat Hoban has scored an incredible number of goals in the league, so he's always a threat.

"Then they've got good players in midfield so they've good players all over the pitch. You have to respect Dundalk and be at your very best if you want to win the game."

The Hoops have trained on the astro surface in their Roadstone training base during the week as preparation for what they face in Oriel Park.

That may factor into Bradley’s choice of starting XI as his squad face into a busy month with league, Europe and the FAI Cup (against Dundalk in Oriel) all ahead of them. The Hoops have a number of injury concerns ahead of the game as well.

"The pitch, it is what it is. You have to play on it. We have a similar surface in the training ground that we can prepare for so there's no excuses. We'll definitely look at the load that we've had and what's coming when picking the team."

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

 

PREDICTION

1-1

 

Dundalk

Injured: Cameron Elliott

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Rayhaan Tulloch

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Trevor Clarke, Gary O’Neill, Neil Farrugia, Alan Mannus

Doubtful: Jack Byrne, Lee Grace

Suspended: None.

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile