St Patrick’s Athletic -v- Shamrock Rovers

Credit:

St Patrick’s Athletic host leaders and champions Shamrock Rovers after hitting their best run of form of the season – a 1-0 win in Bray on Friday was their third league win in a row.

The Hoops have lost just once this season and their 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers on Friday was their third win from their last four Premier Division games. Rovers beat St Pat’s 2-0 at Tallaght Stadium in the first round of fixtures – which was the first time since April 2009 that the Saints had failed to score in a league game between the two teams.

TEAM NEWS:
The Saints continue to be without Conor Kenna (knee), Dave Mulcahy (hamstring), James O’Brien (ankle) and Shane McFaul (hamstring).

Craig Sives and Chris Turner return to the Hoops squad but Gary Twigg and Stephen O’Donnell (both hamstring injuries) remain out. Ken Oman is suspended for the game after receiving a red card in Friday night’s game against Sligo Rovers.

QUOTES:
St Patrick’s Athletic boss Pete Mahon: “There’s a good mood in the camp after the recent victories and that is to be expected. It’s live on Setanta, they’re top of the league and everybody’s favourite team at the moment. Although they’re flying high we have no fear of them. We respect the side they have but we don’t hold any fear in facing them.”

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill: “This is another tough game for us in quick succession. Sligo on Friday and St Pat’s on Monday in always going to be a tough ask; but we’re determined to see out the weekend with two positive results. We played well Friday and will be hoping for much of the same against Pat’s.”

Referee: Damien Hancock