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Shamrock Rovers -v- Derry City
- John Robert Dunne
- Fri, Mar 27 2009
Shamrock Rovers host Derry City for what is just their second Premier Division match at their new stadium in Tallaght. Just like the opening clash two weeks ago, Friday night’s match is a total sell-out and the Hoops will be looking to regain the momentum of that historic victory against Sligo Rovers. However Derry will be a tough opponent seeing as they are yet to taste defeat this season with seven points collected from their opening three matches.
The story so far
Shamrock Rovers stand on four points and have endured an uneven start to the campaign. Despite a spirited performance last week against reigning champions Bohemians, Rovers were obviously disappointed with the outcome, a 2-0 defeat. The key to a successful season is going to be good home form, and creating an unbeaten run in Tallaght will be crucial.
The Sligo result was a great start and indeed vital for the fans and the Hoops need to built on that against Derry. They are aware however; having only scores two goals so far this season that victory will be far from certain.
Derry have their tails up after an astonishing come from behind 2-1 victory last week at home to Cork City. With the match entering injury time Derry snatched victory with two goals in a minute from Ciaran Martyn and Liam Nash. Coupled with an opening victory at home to Drogheda United and an excellent point away to Bohemians, Derry will be confident of getting a result in Tallaght.
Michael O’Neill’s View
Rovers Manager Michael O’Neill goes into Friday encounter with no injury worries and a full squad to choose from.
“Last week we had doubts about Sean Webb and Stephen Bradley, and they both pulled through okay,”
“Darragh Maguire will also be in the frame. He was on the bench last week against Bohemians, he’s been training fully for the past fortnight and we’re very keen to get him into the starting XI.” Although respectful of the opposition he shows no fear. “Stephen Kenny has a good side there and, like last weeks game against Bohs, we know this will be a very tough 90 Minutes and a stern test of our character as a squad. Not many sides go to Dalymount Park and take a point- but that’s what Derry did the other week. I think this could be a really good game as they like to play and so do we.”
Stephen Kenny’s View
The Derry manager is expecting a very tough encounter, with the Tallaght effect bound to be a factor.
"We’ll have to fight tooth and nail to get the better of Rovers. They will want to bounce right back from their 2-0 defeat against Bohs last Friday so we must be on our toes. Despite our 2-1 victory over Cork last week there is still room for improvement. A late win is always good for a team’s morale and I want to keep the momentum going. There’s no doubting the fact that Rovers will prove very difficult opposition. They have a sell-out crowd who will get right behind them.”
Team News
As mentioned above Michael O’Neill is keen to get Darragh Maguire involved in the starting eleven. Since O’Neill has picked the same starting 11 for the last two matches it would be no surprise if he decided to freshen things up, especially after last weeks defeat.
Stephen Kenny has plenty of options with both Clive Delaney and Barry Molloy returning from suspensions. Delaney should definitely come back into the side, as the 6 ft 7 inch central defender is a key member of the Candy stripes side. Extratime.ie prediction
Derry looks the better team and has already earned a point away to league favourites Bohemians, however with another sell-out crowd at Tallaght bound to lift Rovers I predict a score draw. 1-1
About John Robert Dunne
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