Shamrock Rovers -v- UCD
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Shamrock Rovers host UCD in an Airtricity Premier Division clash at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night as Michael O’Neill’s side attempt to regain top spot in the league in advance of next week’s Europa League Play-off game against Partizan Belgrade. (Kick off, 8pm)
Lying eigth in the table, just two points ahead of a resurgent Drogheda United, UCD will no doubt be hoping that Rover’s European adventure has distracted their opponents from the bread and butter of the league as they hope to build on a run in which they have have claimed a win and two draws from their last five league outings.
In recent weeks Martin Russell’s men have overcome bottom club Galway United 4-3 and held both Dery City and St Patrick’s Athletic to 2-2 draws. Last weekend’s trip to Richmond Park saw the Students take a point from a St Pat’s side who have also been on the European merry-go-round but Darren Meenan’s sending off in that game means he will be suspended for the game at Tallaght.
With the return of striker Samir Belhout, Meenan is Russell’s only absentee for a game that the UCD manager recognises as a stern challenge for his men. “We always look forward to the challenge that faces us when we visit Tallaght”, said Russell. “Taking on Shamrock Rovers who have been on the top of the tree for the last while is going to be a big challenge for our lads but hopefully we can maintain our good form and get something out of the game."
Michael O’Neill will be without three of his squad for Friday’s game with Ken Oman still suffering from the knee injury he picked up in Copenhagen in the last round of the Champions League and Stephen O’Donnell out with a hamstring injury. Chris Turner will also miss the game through suspension.
Rovers enter the weekend in third spot, tied on 48 points with Derry City and Sligo Rovers, both of whom have a better goal difference than the Hoops. However, with a game in hand on their title rivals, the Tallaght club will know that three points against UCD will keep the pressure on Derry and Sligo to maintain their own good form.
Rovers last four outings in the league have all ended in 1-0 scorelines with the Hoops winning three of them; against St Pats, Drogheda and Bohemians. Their one defeat in this period was at the hands of Derry City five weeks ago when a goal from Daniel Lafferty settled the tie at the Brandywell.
Michael O’Neill summed up the task facing his side saying “We want to continue getting wins and gathering points in the league. Europe comes back around for us again, but we want to have ourselves in the position that if we win our game in hand, we’re three clear at the top. So we need to win on Friday to do that.”
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Ken Oman (knee), Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Chris Turner.
UCD
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Darren Meenan.
Referee: Paul Tuite.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 1/7; Draw 6/1; UCD 12/1.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for the Hoops.
Lying eigth in the table, just two points ahead of a resurgent Drogheda United, UCD will no doubt be hoping that Rover’s European adventure has distracted their opponents from the bread and butter of the league as they hope to build on a run in which they have have claimed a win and two draws from their last five league outings.
In recent weeks Martin Russell’s men have overcome bottom club Galway United 4-3 and held both Dery City and St Patrick’s Athletic to 2-2 draws. Last weekend’s trip to Richmond Park saw the Students take a point from a St Pat’s side who have also been on the European merry-go-round but Darren Meenan’s sending off in that game means he will be suspended for the game at Tallaght.
With the return of striker Samir Belhout, Meenan is Russell’s only absentee for a game that the UCD manager recognises as a stern challenge for his men. “We always look forward to the challenge that faces us when we visit Tallaght”, said Russell. “Taking on Shamrock Rovers who have been on the top of the tree for the last while is going to be a big challenge for our lads but hopefully we can maintain our good form and get something out of the game."
Michael O’Neill will be without three of his squad for Friday’s game with Ken Oman still suffering from the knee injury he picked up in Copenhagen in the last round of the Champions League and Stephen O’Donnell out with a hamstring injury. Chris Turner will also miss the game through suspension.
Rovers enter the weekend in third spot, tied on 48 points with Derry City and Sligo Rovers, both of whom have a better goal difference than the Hoops. However, with a game in hand on their title rivals, the Tallaght club will know that three points against UCD will keep the pressure on Derry and Sligo to maintain their own good form.
Rovers last four outings in the league have all ended in 1-0 scorelines with the Hoops winning three of them; against St Pats, Drogheda and Bohemians. Their one defeat in this period was at the hands of Derry City five weeks ago when a goal from Daniel Lafferty settled the tie at the Brandywell.
Michael O’Neill summed up the task facing his side saying “We want to continue getting wins and gathering points in the league. Europe comes back around for us again, but we want to have ourselves in the position that if we win our game in hand, we’re three clear at the top. So we need to win on Friday to do that.”
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Ken Oman (knee), Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Chris Turner.
UCD
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Darren Meenan.
Referee: Paul Tuite.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 1/7; Draw 6/1; UCD 12/1.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for the Hoops.
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