Shamrock Rovers -v- Galway United

• P.J. Murray
• Fri, Sep 17 2010


Friday night offers Michael O’Neill a brief reprieve from league duties as his Shamrock Rovers welcome Galway United to Tallaght stadium for an FAI Cup quarter final clash. (Kick off 8pm)

The visitors are chasing only their second ever FAI cup win after beating Rovers at Lansdowne Road way back in 1991 to claim their one and only cup success while The Hoops need to go back 23 years for their last raising of the trophy.

Galway needed a replay over local rivals Salthill Devon to progress to this stage, a hard fought 1-1 draw in Terryland saw Sean Connor’s side travel to Drom and earn a convincing 3-1 victory. Rovers progression was a lot more straight forward as the Hoops travelled to Flancare and came away with a 2-1 victory.

Rovers league form hit a dull note after being thrashed at Oriel Park last week, the Hoops succumbed to a shock 5-1 defeat at the hands of a focused Dundalk. This defeat brought an end to five straight wins for the Tallaght side, however the pitch surface played more than a small part in this loss as Rovers appeared uncomfortable on the artificial pitch.

Galway have failed to find any solid form of late, a 4-0 hammering away to Bray, a 2-2 draw at home to Sligo last week and a win over Drogheda at Hunky Dorys Park several weeks ago signals an inconsistency in the Tribesmen.



Will Rovers fans be celebrating on Friday night (Image by Fergus McNally)


Dan Murray and Robert Bayly have been ruled out of the game through knee injuries for Rovers. There are also doubts about Stephen Bradley, who has a groin strain. Pat Sullivan remains out. Sean Connor has said that Stephen O’Donnell should be fit after seeing double vision in the Sligo match when he was taken off for a knock to the head. Ciaran Foley sat out Monday night’s match but is expected to be fit for the trip to Tallaght.

Speaking ahead of the clash Galway manager Sean Connor has said that given a choice between beating Rovers in the cup this week or the league next then the league would take preference, but he will show no fear on Friday night.

“They will be a wounded animal, but it also puts extra pressure on them. If they won on Monday night they would have had the league wrapped up but now they will be expected to get a result. It also proves that they are susceptible if you can play well,” he added.

Rovers manager Michael O’Neill feels that his side need to forget about Monday night and get another win on the board against Galway. “After the result on Monday night, we want to get back into action as soon as possible. It will probably be good for us to have a break from the league. It has been like a pressure cooker for the lads over the last few weeks, and while they have dealt very well with it; it will be good for them to get out of that for a week.

“We had a good meeting with the lads during the week, and looked at the DVD of the Dundalk game; we know we were poor. But the lads are just very keen to get back out there, and there is probably no better game than a cup quarter final, to try and get the momentum back.”

Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Dan Murray, Robert Bayly
Doubtful: Stephen Bradley
Suspended: None

Galway United
Injured: None
Doubtful: Stephen O’Donnell
Suspended: None

Referee: A. Buttimer
Extratime.ie Prediction: Rovers to bounce back and record a 3-1 win