Shamrock Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers

• Frankie Lally
• Sat, Sep 19 2009


Shamrock Rovers welcome Bray Wanderers to Tallaght stadium on Saturday night as the Hoops look to keep up the pressure on league leaders Bohemians.(kick-off 7:00pm). Both sides were involved in FAI cup replays on Tuesday night and both had mixed fortunes. Rovers had a devastating defeat at the hands of Sporting Fingal, losing 2-1 after extra-time. While Bray on the other hand, advanced to the semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Longford Town at the Carlisle Grounds.

Both teams have already come across each other three times this season. Their first encounter was a 0-0 draw in the Carlisle Grounds back in March. While Bray grabbed a win in Tallaght stadium in May thanks to a single goal from top goalscorer Dane Massey. In their most recent encounter Rovers won all three points after a 2-1 at the Carlisle grounds.

Despite Bray's excellent performance on Tuesday night, Seagulls' boss Eddie Gormley knows its not going to be an easy game against high- flying Rovers. “Tuesday night's result was a good one for us, the result was everything. We are delighted to have qualified for the semi- finals".

He added "We will now put that to bed and focus on our League position and try to get ourselves out of it, and Saturday will be difficult. Rovers will be keen to make up for their Cup defeat and push on as they challenge for the League Title, but we will give it our best shot and hope we can get a result".

While Rovers manager Michael O'Neil knows Rovers could go into the game four points behind leaders Bohs if of course they manage to beat Dundalk in Dalymount Park on Friday night. But the Hoops boss insists he isn't going to worry about how the Gypsies are fairing.

"We have 27 points to play for – we took 21 points in the last quarter,” he explains. “Our aim is to take at least the same in the final quarter. That’s the sole aim at the end of the day. We’re not running about, coming in after the games are finished, saying: ‘What was the score elsewhere?’ It’s not important what other teams are doing. The important things is that we take as many points in the final round of games as we can.”

“We’ve continued to improve each quarter, and hopefully we’ll see that improvement continuing in the final quarter.”

Team news

Shamrock Rovers:

Paddy Kavanagh (hip) and Darragh Maguire (calf) are both doubtful for the Hoops and Ian Bermingham (ankle) will definitely miss out.

Bray Wanderers:

Bray will be without Dave Mulcahy and Chris Shields who are both suspended, while captain Derek Pender is also a doubt after picking up a groin injury during Tuesday night's cup replay.

Extratime.ie Prediction: Its not going to be easy night for Rovers but I think they'll just about edge it. Rovers to win 1-0.