Shamrock Rovers -v- Drogheda United

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops will be aiming to halt their run of four consecutive league draws when Drogheda United visit Tallaght on Friday evening.

Despite remaining undefeated in the league in 2013, Tuesday evening’s 1-1 draw against Limerick FC saw the Hoops fall ten points behind a formidable Sligo Rovers outfit.

Manager Trevor Croly believes that the promise the Hoops have been showing will be rewarded with more wins in the coming weeks. “I thought we were excellent on Tuesday night against Limerick and I’ll be looking for similar in the Drogheda game. Obviously we have been getting a lot of draws, but I feel if we keep up the level of performance we have put in so far, the rewards will come.”

The Hoops are missing David Elebert and Jason McGuinness who continue to make progress in their comebacks from injury. Ken Oman is suspended after the red card he picked up against Limerick. There is a doubt over the fitness of Sean O’Connor who is suffering from an ankle injury but no decision will be made on him until closer to kick-off.

Croly will be hoping to start a new chapter in a season which has so far provided them with little luck. “I think we’ve been a bit unlucky; we’ll be looking to turn that around against Drogheda and get the three points.”

DROGHEDA UNITED

Similar to their Dublin counterparts Drogheda United are coming off the back of a couple of draws against rivals Dundalk and Cork City. The Louth side are currently sitting fifth in the league, one point behind Shamrock Rovers. 

Manager Mick Cooke believes that Trevor Croly is under pressure and that will help motivate the Shamrock Rovers side. “There are big expectations on Rovers and there is a certain amount of pressure on Trevor at the moment, but this will not make it in any way easier for us. Rovers haven't been getting the results they would like, but that only means they are going to be trying harder. We haven't been getting the results we would like also, so it should make for an interesting game.”

A Declan O’Brien penalty two minutes from time salvaged a point against Cork City at Hunky Dorys Park on Monday evening. This is not the first time the team has come from behind and Cooke was again impressed by the resolve shown. “So far this season we have gone behind in five of the six games we played and in four of those games we managed to get a result. The only game we took the lead in we lost a two-goal lead. I thought we dominated the majority of the game against Cork and we went behind very much against the run of play. But we don't give up and we deserved the draw at the very least.”

Michael Daly and Cathal Brady miss out through injury but Cooke can call on the services of Alan Byrne who returns to the squad after a one game suspension.

If the Drogs are to upset the odds in Tallaght they will need to be more economical in the final third, “I don't think we have been playing as well as we should be and certainly in the final third where we need to improve. But the lads know this and they are working hard every week and it will come good for us soon enough.” Cooke said.

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

Nine of the twelve league games these teams have played in total this season have ended in draws.

Drogheda are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season.

Shamrock Rovers have kept four clean sheets in the league this season.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 8/13; Draw 12/5; Drogheda 5/1.

PREDICTION

No more draws. 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers.

Shamrock Rovers

Injuries: David Elebert, Jason McGuinness.
Suspensions: Ken Oman.

Drogheda United

Injuries: Michael Daly, Cathal Brady.
Suspensions: None.