Dundalk -v- Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers meet in the final of the Setanta Sports Cup at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday night with both sides aiming to lift the All-Ireland trophy for the first time. (Kick off, 6.15pm)
Dundalk manager, Ian Foster, will be relieved that his lengthy list of injured players are beginning to make their way back to full fitness. Central defender Shane Guthrie, out for six weeks, returned against Galway United last weekend and also played against Bohemians last Monday night.
Midfielders Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger also played against Bohemians, although Stephen Maher and Eoghan Osborne are still out of action.
Although technically this is a home tie for Dundalk it is, in all other respects, an away game but Foster’s men will be buoyed by their recent form away from Oriel Park. They have won all three of their most recent away games in the league and also won all three of their away legs in the Setanta Cup.
Linfield, Glentoran and Cliftonville were all beaten in their own back yards with Dundalk racking up nine goals in those three games. Overall, the Louth side have scored 13 in this competition and top scorers for the Lilywhites are Mark Quigley with five, and Daniel Kearns with four.
Shamrock Rovers have played one round less than Dundalk, entering the competition at the quarter-final stage, and have won all four of their games. Lisburn Distillery went out 2-7 on aggregate while Sligo Rovers went down to a 1-4 aggregate score-line.
In the league Rovers’ recent form has been steady, winning three and drawing three of their last six games, four of those being away from home. So far in 2011 the have suffered only two reverses. The latest of these was away to St Patrick’s Athletic in the EA Sports Cup, a game that they lost on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes. The other defeat was in the league when Bray Wanderers came to Tallaght Stadium and walked away with a 1-0 win.
Michael O’Neill’s only injury problem is Stephen O’Donnell who remains out with a hamstring injury. Recent absentees Gary Twigg, Craig Sives and Chris Turner all played in a reserve game on Wednesday and have been passed fit for the game.
For Rovers, Dan Murray and Alan Mannus will both be appearing in their third final. Murray appeared twice at this stage for Cork City, lifting the trophy as captain in 2008. Mannus has also won the trophy, playing for Linfield in the inaugural final in 2005 when the Belfast club beat Shelbourne at Tolka Park and also in 2007 when Drogheda United beat Linfield on penalties.
Dundalk
Injured: Stephen Maher (groin), Eoghan Osborne (broken leg).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Alan Kelly.
Paddy Power Odds: Dundalk 10/3; Draw 9/4; Shamrock Rovers 5/6.
Extratime prediction: 2-1 win for Dundalk who may care more about this one.
Dundalk manager, Ian Foster, will be relieved that his lengthy list of injured players are beginning to make their way back to full fitness. Central defender Shane Guthrie, out for six weeks, returned against Galway United last weekend and also played against Bohemians last Monday night.
Midfielders Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger also played against Bohemians, although Stephen Maher and Eoghan Osborne are still out of action.
Although technically this is a home tie for Dundalk it is, in all other respects, an away game but Foster’s men will be buoyed by their recent form away from Oriel Park. They have won all three of their most recent away games in the league and also won all three of their away legs in the Setanta Cup.
Linfield, Glentoran and Cliftonville were all beaten in their own back yards with Dundalk racking up nine goals in those three games. Overall, the Louth side have scored 13 in this competition and top scorers for the Lilywhites are Mark Quigley with five, and Daniel Kearns with four.
Shamrock Rovers have played one round less than Dundalk, entering the competition at the quarter-final stage, and have won all four of their games. Lisburn Distillery went out 2-7 on aggregate while Sligo Rovers went down to a 1-4 aggregate score-line.
In the league Rovers’ recent form has been steady, winning three and drawing three of their last six games, four of those being away from home. So far in 2011 the have suffered only two reverses. The latest of these was away to St Patrick’s Athletic in the EA Sports Cup, a game that they lost on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes. The other defeat was in the league when Bray Wanderers came to Tallaght Stadium and walked away with a 1-0 win.
Michael O’Neill’s only injury problem is Stephen O’Donnell who remains out with a hamstring injury. Recent absentees Gary Twigg, Craig Sives and Chris Turner all played in a reserve game on Wednesday and have been passed fit for the game.
For Rovers, Dan Murray and Alan Mannus will both be appearing in their third final. Murray appeared twice at this stage for Cork City, lifting the trophy as captain in 2008. Mannus has also won the trophy, playing for Linfield in the inaugural final in 2005 when the Belfast club beat Shelbourne at Tolka Park and also in 2007 when Drogheda United beat Linfield on penalties.
Dundalk
Injured: Stephen Maher (groin), Eoghan Osborne (broken leg).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Alan Kelly.
Paddy Power Odds: Dundalk 10/3; Draw 9/4; Shamrock Rovers 5/6.
Extratime prediction: 2-1 win for Dundalk who may care more about this one.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile