Drogheda United -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Gareth Penrose
• Fri, Aug 07 2009


Second from bottom take on second from top on Friday night as Drogheda United welcome high flying Shamrock Rovers to United Park. (kick-off 19:45). Rovers will be looking to continue an unbeaten competitive run of twelve games, whilst Drogheda will hope that they can improve on the one point they have managed out of the last nine.

Last week, Drogs manager Alan Mathews watched his side agonisingly succumb to a late injury time equaliser from league leaders Bohemians after James Chambers gave his team a 33rd minute lead. Mathews will hope his side can go one better this week but he will have to plan without several players.

Paul Crowley (calf) and Eoghan Osborne (ligament damage in his ankles) are sidelined, whilst Robbie Farrell is still recovering from his recent knee operation. Paul Shiels and Robbie Clarke are also suspended however recent signing Scott Gibb returns from suspension after getting sent off on his debut against Dundalk.

Hoops manager Michael O’Neill last week saw his side defeat Derry City by two goals to one and he was impressed at the character of his team.

“But we showed a lot of courage, a lot of determination, and willingness to work for each other, to hang on and win the match. The players deserve a lot of credit for that.”

Ahead of the Drogheda game, O’Neill is aware the Louth side are stronger than their league position suggests, and having only managed two points in their two league encounters this season, he will be looking to get the win this time around.

“We know this will be a tough game for us. The previous two league meetings both ended in draws, although they were very different games. We salvaged a point at United Park, and let it slip at Tallaght Stadium.

“Drogheda United will fight to the end, and they’ve improved their squad since the start of the season. They’re a stronger side now – but then again, so are we.

“We’ve signed some quality players in recent weeks, but we anticipate that this will be quite a contest and that we’ll have to be at our best if we’re to come away with the three points.”

In Rovers team news, Ian Bermingham (knee), Sean O’Connor (suspended) and Dessie Baker (suspended) will all miss Friday’s game at United Park, while there will be late fitness tests for both Padraig Amond and Paddy Kavanagh. New signing Alan Mannus comes into the squad.

Says Hoops’ boss Michael O’Neill: “Obviously, with both Dessie and Sean suspended, we’re hoping that Padraig and Paddy will make it. But we won’t know until just before kick-off.”

Extratime.ie Prediction: Drogheda to lose by a one goal margin. 2-1