Shamrock Rovers -v- Drogheda United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Oct 21 2010


The stakes are high at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night where Shamrock Rovers pursue their Airtricity League title dreams and Drogheda United desperately seek to avoid relegation to the First Division. (Kick-off, 8pm)

One point behind rivals Bohemians with two matches to play, Shamrock Rovers have some mathematical leeway. But few expect Bohemians to gather less than three points on their trip to Galway United and, realistically, Michael O'Neill knows that to have any chance of taking the 2010 title his men must win their final two games.

New Drogheda boss, Bobby Browne's task is straightforward. His side are six points adrift of Bray Wanderers at the bottom of the table and, with six points to play for, must win both of their last two games and hope that Bray lose both of theirs. Any other combination of results will have them playing in the First Division next season.

And despite an alarming slump in Shamrock Rover's league form the omens are not good for the Drogs. Rovers have lost four of their last five league games but the Boynesiders have failed to win any of their last thirteen.

In that time Drogheda have collected only two points, with draws at UCD and Bray, and have scored a meagre seven goals. Not the time then to be missing suspended striker Glen Fitzpatrick who tops the Drogs scoring charts with four league goals. Nor will Browne have Ronan McEntegert available but it may be some comfort to him that his opposite number has considerably greater selection problems.

Yet again Rovers will be without Pat Sullivan, Dan Murray and Sean O'Connor who all have long term injuries. And while Danny Murphy returns to the squad, Pat Flynn will be suspended and James Chambers is a major doubt with a knock picked up in last Sunday's FAI Cup semi-final.

In the current climate anything is possible but the expectation must still favour three points for Shamrock Rovers and a gloomy end to Drogheda's troubled season.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured:Pat Sullivan, Dan Murray, Sean O'Connor.
Doubtful:James Chambers, Enda Stevens.
Suspended:Pat Flynn.

Drogheda United
Injured:Ronan McEntegert.
Doubtful:None.
Suspended:Glen Fitzpatrick.

Referee: Declan Hanney.

Extratime prediction: A 2-0 home win.