Shamrock Rovers -v- Cork City

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SHAMROCK ROVERS

In their only other league game in Tallaght Stadium this season, the Hoops had a comprehensive 3-0 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic. Away from home though, they have failed to score having been involved in three consecutive 0-0 draws.

With Sligo Rovers’ four back-to-back wins so far in the league this season, the Hoops will not want to fall any further behind the league champions at this early juncture. The home side will be focused on claiming all three points in front of their home support.

Speaking ahead of the match Rovers boss Trevor Croly said “It’s nice to be back at home; it feels like we haven’t had a home game in ages as we’ve been playing away in the last few weeks. We’re looking forward to getting back to Tallaght and to taking on Cork City for the first time this season.”

Rovers will have to face the Leesiders without defenders Jason McGuinness and David Elebert. Both players picked up knocks in the 0-0 draw with Bohemians, McGuinness came off due to a hamstring injury and Elebert picked up a groin problem. Last weekend in the 0-0 stalemate with Shelbourne, the Hoops lined out with Ken Oman and Pat Sullivan at the centre of defence. Rovers captain Pat Sullivan, playing against his former club, will most likely return to his usual right back position with Derek Foran, suspended last week, coming in to partner Oman in the heart of the Rovers defence.

There are doubts over Sean O’Connor and substitute goalkeeper Conor Winn who were both ill during the week. Worryingly for a side that have scored in only one league game this season, striker Mark Quigley continues to have an issue with his ankle and is a doubt for the game.

This is despite Quigley coming off the bench to feature in last week’s drawn game in Tolka Park having missed a number of games previously due to his ankle problem. Rovers will be hoping he is available to increase their options up front when they face a Cork City side that lost 2-0 in the FAI Cup on their last visit to Tallaght Stadium.

“Cork have a very good side this year, with a good blend of youth and experience,” said Trevor Croly. “They have plenty of players that are used to winning games and winning trophies, and so we know it will be a tough encounter. But I am expecting a good, if hard fought, game on the night.”

CORK CITY

The last minute concession of a late penalty to lose the game 1-0 at Turners Cross last weekend against Derry City  was their first loss of the league campaign following an opening day draw away to Limerick and a 2-1 home win over Bohemians. On Friday, Tommy Dunne brings his men to Tallaght Stadium to face a Rovers side who sit two points ahead of them in the early season table. The Leesiders have played one fixture less due to City’s game away to Bray being one of a number to have fallen foul of the weather over recent weeks.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie, City boss Tommy Dunne, who had a five year playing spell with Rovers, said he expects the home side to be difficult opponents: “It doesn’t get any tougher than going to Tallaght. Rovers have had three draws, so they will be looking to get a win. We are in a similar position after the defeat to Derry which took our unbeaten record from us, so we are looking to bounce back.”

Dunne is once again without Brian Lenihan who is out with a long-term injury and Neal Horgan is a doubt having missed last week’s trip to the Bogside due to a knee injury. Daryl Horgan, who got the winning goal in the recent league game against Bohs, is a doubt having been substituted in Derry due to a hamstring strain. While John Dunleavy will be available having recovered from a knock he picked up last Sunday, Dan Murray will not be in the travelling squad due to work commitments.

“I don’t see us being under that much pressure going up there,” said Dunne, “but maybe for Rovers there is a little bit of pressure. Both sides will want to win, so I think it is going to be an interesting game.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

MATCH STATS

This is the first season in Shamrock Rovers’ history that they have kept four clean sheets in their first four games of a league campaign.

When the sides last met in the league in Tallaght Stadium, there were two late headed goals. In that match last June, it looked like Gary Twigg had got the winner for Rovers when his header with five minutes to go put the Hoops 1-0 up. However, John Dunleavy got on the end of sweeping City move to head an equaliser with 88 minutes on the clock – his first and only league goal for the club to date.

The Hoops won when the sides last played each other. That was a 2-1 victory in Turners Cross for Rovers in late August. It was the first time Rovers had won in the venue in a decade. Ian Turner got a third minute opener for the home side before Ronan Finn and Gary McCabe earned the win for Rovers.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 3/4; Draw 6/4; Cork 4/1.

PREDICTION

A home win; 1-0.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Jason McGuinness, David Elebert.
Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Brian Lenihan, Neal Horgan, Daryl Horgan, Dan Murray.
Suspended: None.