Hoops drive for 25 progresses

Shamrock Rovers are on a drive for 25 cup wins as they are just one short of that quarter century of cups but they haven’t won the trophy since 1987.  On Friday night in Tallaght Stadium, they began their 2012 cup campaign with a second round victory over Limerick FC. 

The absence of the FAI Cup for that length of time in the Rovers trophy cabinet is something that their manager Stephen Kenny is well aware of as he told extratime.ie after his team’s 1-0 win on Friday. 

“I’ve been reminded a few times that it is 25 years and this would be the 25^th time,” said Kenny about trying to win the cup.  His first reminder of this was on Friday morning on the walk to the stadium from a young Rovers fan who wasn’t even born when the Hoops last lifted the trophy!  

Kenny wasn’t getting too carried away with the win as his team sitting second in the Premier Division beat the team in second in the First Division.  There was certainly no talk of Rovers’ name being on the cup.  “It is great to progress but if you look beyond the next round it is foolish.”

Pat Scully’s Limerick side felt hard done after the game and were probably a touch unlucky that they couldn’t at least take the League Champions to a replay back in Limerick.  In the second half they had a couple of strong shouts for a penalty but both were waved away by referee Anthony Buttimer.  Buttimer also showed Padraic Quinn a straight red card for a high challenge on Rovers’ Kerrea Gilbert just a minute or so after the midfielder had come on for the Blues 14 minutes from time.

It was Shamrock Rovers’ second half substitutes that had a vital contribution in the victory for the Hoops.  On 67 minutes, Daryl Kavanagh unleashed a shot from 25 yards that was too hot to hold for the Limerick ‘keeper Barry Ryan.  The former Rovers net-minder could only parry the ball back out.  Stephen O’Donnell, making only his second appearance of the season, was quickest to react and he found the back of the net for Rovers from the edge of the six-yard box.

“It was a good effort by Daryl,” said Kenny talking about the goal, “and it was great for Stephen (O’Donnell) as he has been out for so long with his knee.  He has been trying to get fit so for him to come on and to get the goal was great.”

The defensive display was equally pleasing for Kenny who saw his team get back-to-back clean sheets and he had particular praise for his goalkeeper.

“We have been leaking goals so it’s great that it is just the one goal in three games we’ve conceded.  Since Oscar Jansson was left out for one game, he has really responded in the manner that you would want him to.  His body language shows he is more confident and he has been much more authoritative.  He is making good decisions and bringing a calmness to the back four which is important.” 

That defence will have to deal without Rovers club captain Ken Oman who won’t return from injury until after the mid-season break, a break that begins after next weekend’s League of Ireland games.  Shelbourne’s 1-1 draw in the Cup in Bray means that Monday’s scheduled Leinster Senior Cup quarter final match between Shels and Rovers has been postponed to allow for Shels’ cup replay.  It means Rovers’ next game, and their last game before the break, will be a league game in Tallaght against Cork City next Friday night.

“We have a big game against Cork.  Ronan Finn probably will be back. He trained yesterday and hopefully he trains next week.  Chris Turner is also available after suspension so we have a few options for the game.”