League Preview: Shamrock Rovers B -v- Waterford United

• Macdara Ferris
• Sat, Oct 11 2014




SHAMROCK ROVERS B

Sunday will be Shamrock Rovers’ First Division team’s last game of the season and possibly the last match ever for the Hoops B team. 

 

While Colin Hawkins’ men are focussing on a home win over Waterford United on Sunday afternoon (kick off 3pm) that would leave them in sixth place, the future of two teams in Tallaght in League of Ireland football is being debated.

 

“It is up for review by the club board which was always the intention,” said Hawkins speaking to www.shamrockrovers.ie ahead of the game about the club’s B team. “Many players have signed back anyway at under 19 level. We are hoping the First Division team will go ahead but it must be financially viable and beneficial for the club.”

 

The Hoops come into the game on the back of a 5-0 thrashing by Longford Town last weekend. Hawkins is hoping his team can end the year on a high by getting the win that would leapfrog them above the Blues in the final table.

 

“I said to the lads after the disaster in Longford that I was glad there was one game left,” explained Hawkins, “as I didn’t want to finish the season on that performance. It is good to have this opportunity to have something to play for so we will be going all out to win the game.”

 

When Longford lifted the First Division trophy last week in City Calling Stadium, Hawkins had his squad watching from the side of the pitch. “I spoke to the team after the final whistle in the dressingroom and then told them to go out before their warm down and watch the trophy presentation.

 

"I wanted them to see what it is all about. That is where they want to be later in their career, winning trophies in the First Division or the Premier Division.”

 

The Hoops will be without Shane Fagan on Sunday, as the goalkeeper recently underwent a hip operation. Also missing will be one of the success stories of the season for the Rovers B team, Sean Heaney.

 

Heaney, along with Evan Osam, made three league appearances with Rovers’ first team this year but due to recent Ireland Under 19 commitments will be rested for their final game of the year.

 

With Pat Fenlon’s team playing on Monday night in Dundalk, there is unlikely to be any first teamers available to Hawkins. He has sparingly used first team players during the season. Eight first team players have played just 13 First Division games between them.

 

Hawkins has made the effort to blood as many young players as he can during the year. 37 players in total have played for his team, the majority of whom were part of Rovers’ 2013/14 under 19 team.

 

“Some of the lads have got a taste of it, playing and training with the Premier Division squad. That is what it is all about. There is a lot of talent in the group and having them play in the First Division will give enormous benefit to their careers and hopefully Rovers will benefit.”

 

WATERFORD UNITED
Waterford United travel to Tallaght Stadium on Sunday knowing if they can avoid defeat they will stay in sixth place in the end of season table.

 

However, having gone 12 games without a league win until last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Cobh Ramblers, Tommy Griffin’s men will be looking to make it back-to-back wins so that they can end the season on a high.

 

“It’s great for the club but more importantly it’s great for the players to get a win on the board,” said Blues boss Griffin about their comeback win over the Rams.

 

“It was coming to a stage where we were wondering whether it was ever going to come for us but I’m delighted for them that it’s happened especially after going a goal down so early in the match.

 

“We had to be very patient after conceding that goal and it took us 15 minutes to get to grips with the game because we had a new partnership in defence with Thomas Croke and John Frost. I thought the two of them were exceptionally good.

 

“After conceding the goal, they sat back a bit in the game and we were always pressing for the equalising goal and then went onto find the winner. The young lads showed again that they never give up until the ninety minutes are up and they got their reward for that with the win.”

 

Thomas Croke, just recently returned after eight weeks out, equalised when he got his head on a Brian Nolan free kick on 74 minutes. Mark Walsh earned all three points for the Blues when he scored the winner, his first senior goal with United, with just three minutes remaining.

 

“I’m delighted for the lads to be honest with you – thrilled to bits for them because they’ve worked so hard since June to get keep this football club going, which wasn’t easy at time but these lads haven’t complained and I can’t ask for any more from them.”

 

 

Referee: Ben Connolly.

 

 

MATCH STATS
The teams have met each other three times this season. The Blues have won 1-0 twice with Paddy Barrett’s early goal in the RSC winning the match in April, with Conor Whittle’s late goal earning United all three points in the last game in Tallaght. In between, Cian Kavanagh and Daniel Purdy scored as Rovers ended a run of nine loses in a row with a 2-0 win in Waterford last August.

 

Top scorers for the Hoops are Daniel Purdy and Chris Lyons with six league goals each. Lyons has made 19 appearances while Purdy has made the most appearances for the Hoops B team. He has played in 22 of Rovers’ 28 First Division games.

 

Waterford’s leading goalscorer is Willie John Kiely with four goals from his 19 league appearances, with seven goals in all competitions. His last league goals though were way back in May when he scored twice in the Blues’ 4-0 win over bottom side Cobh Ramblers.

 

BETTING
Shamrock Rovers B 13/10; Draw 12/5; Waterford United 13/8.

 

PREDICTION
1-1

 

Shamrock Rovers B

Injured: Shane Fagan (Hip).

Unvailable: Sean Heaney (International duty).

Suspended: None.

 

Waterford United

Injured: Gavin O’Donovan.

Suspended: Pat Fitzgerald.