Shamrock Rovers -v- Drogheda United
Credit:
Top play bottom at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night as Shamrock Rovers, fresh from their Setanta Cup win last weekend, take on Drogheda United in the Airtricity Premier Division. (Kick off, 8pm)
Friday night’s game will represent the home side’s twentieth competitive outing of 2011 and it is sobering to note that they have so far lost on just two occasions, one a penalties defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic in the EA Sports Cup after a scoreless 120 minutes, the second a 1-0 home defeat to Bray in the league six weeks ago.
Since the reverse against Bray, Rovers have won three and drawn three of their six league games, four of which were away from home, and have conceded just two goals in the process.
Hardly surprising then that the Hoops sit one point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand to all of their closest rivals bar Derry City, who lie second. The contrast between Rover’s record and that of Drogheda United could not be more stark.
While the EA Cup provided Michael O’Neill’s men with a rare defeat, it has given Drogheda their only competitive win of the season. It was seven weeks ago that Mick Cooke’s side traveled to Bray and came away with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Sean Skelly goal. Before and since a dismal catalogue of defeats has been punctuated only by the occasional draw.
There is talk of much needed summer transfer recruits at Hunky Dory Park but as things stand the situation looks grave. With just two league points to their name Drogheda face the potential ignominy of being cut adrift at the bottom of the league indecently early.
Drogheda are currently on a run of seven successive league defeats and they have lost all of their six away games, scoring only twice on foreign soil. Indeed, they have scored just once in their last five games, home or away, and David Freeman stands at the head of the club’s goal-scoring charts with just two goals.
Despite the statistics, Mick Cooke remains positive. “Of course we will be going to Tallaght trying to get something from the game. We are due a win at some stage, I'm sure it will be in the back of Michael O'Neill's mind that if we play to our full potential then we could really get something.
Cooke is also supportive of the efforts of his squad, emphasising the lack of experience which hampers their efforts. “The frustrating thing is that we have been playing well for long parts of games but just not being able to capitalise. However the lads are a credit to the club, the fact is there is not enough experience and the level is just too high for them at the moment. Most of the lads have come in from playing reserve football last year and i only have 3 players older than 22. I will be looking to try and bolster the squad with some experience in the July transfer window.
Unfortunately, team news ahead of the game doesn’t offer the Drogheda boss much in the way of good cheer. The Hoops welcomed striker Gary Twigg back from injury last Saturday, the Scotsman coming on as a second half substitute in the Setanta Cup final. Chris Turner was another recent absentee who sat on the bench that day while Craig Sives and Stephen O’Donnell are also returning to full fitness. In fact, Michael O’Neill’s only absentees will be defenders Pat Sullivan and Ken Oman who are both suspended having each picked up four yellow cards.
Mick Cooke will also be without two suspended defenders with Mark Nolan and Alan McNally set to miss out. Jack Flynn and Cillian Thompson will also be missing due to injury with Flynn expected to be out for up to two months.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ken Oman, Pat Sullivan.
Drogheda United
Injured: Jack Flynn, Cillian Thompson.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Alan McNally, Mark Nolan.
Referee: Padraig Sutton.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 1/6; Draw 5/1; Drogheda 16/1.
Extratime prediction: A health home win - 3-0.
Friday night’s game will represent the home side’s twentieth competitive outing of 2011 and it is sobering to note that they have so far lost on just two occasions, one a penalties defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic in the EA Sports Cup after a scoreless 120 minutes, the second a 1-0 home defeat to Bray in the league six weeks ago.
Since the reverse against Bray, Rovers have won three and drawn three of their six league games, four of which were away from home, and have conceded just two goals in the process.
Hardly surprising then that the Hoops sit one point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand to all of their closest rivals bar Derry City, who lie second. The contrast between Rover’s record and that of Drogheda United could not be more stark.
While the EA Cup provided Michael O’Neill’s men with a rare defeat, it has given Drogheda their only competitive win of the season. It was seven weeks ago that Mick Cooke’s side traveled to Bray and came away with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Sean Skelly goal. Before and since a dismal catalogue of defeats has been punctuated only by the occasional draw.
There is talk of much needed summer transfer recruits at Hunky Dory Park but as things stand the situation looks grave. With just two league points to their name Drogheda face the potential ignominy of being cut adrift at the bottom of the league indecently early.
Drogheda are currently on a run of seven successive league defeats and they have lost all of their six away games, scoring only twice on foreign soil. Indeed, they have scored just once in their last five games, home or away, and David Freeman stands at the head of the club’s goal-scoring charts with just two goals.
Despite the statistics, Mick Cooke remains positive. “Of course we will be going to Tallaght trying to get something from the game. We are due a win at some stage, I'm sure it will be in the back of Michael O'Neill's mind that if we play to our full potential then we could really get something.
Cooke is also supportive of the efforts of his squad, emphasising the lack of experience which hampers their efforts. “The frustrating thing is that we have been playing well for long parts of games but just not being able to capitalise. However the lads are a credit to the club, the fact is there is not enough experience and the level is just too high for them at the moment. Most of the lads have come in from playing reserve football last year and i only have 3 players older than 22. I will be looking to try and bolster the squad with some experience in the July transfer window.
Unfortunately, team news ahead of the game doesn’t offer the Drogheda boss much in the way of good cheer. The Hoops welcomed striker Gary Twigg back from injury last Saturday, the Scotsman coming on as a second half substitute in the Setanta Cup final. Chris Turner was another recent absentee who sat on the bench that day while Craig Sives and Stephen O’Donnell are also returning to full fitness. In fact, Michael O’Neill’s only absentees will be defenders Pat Sullivan and Ken Oman who are both suspended having each picked up four yellow cards.
Mick Cooke will also be without two suspended defenders with Mark Nolan and Alan McNally set to miss out. Jack Flynn and Cillian Thompson will also be missing due to injury with Flynn expected to be out for up to two months.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ken Oman, Pat Sullivan.
Drogheda United
Injured: Jack Flynn, Cillian Thompson.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Alan McNally, Mark Nolan.
Referee: Padraig Sutton.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 1/6; Draw 5/1; Drogheda 16/1.
Extratime prediction: A health home win - 3-0.
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