League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Shamrock Rovers B

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, Apr 04 2014




WEXFORD YOUTHS

The victory gained in last week’s South East derby against Waterford United will give Wexford Youths confidence going into Friday’s first ever competitive visit of Shamrock Rovers to Ferrycarraig Park (kick off 8pm).

 

If they win against Rovers’ B-team and results go their way in Tolka Park, the Warriors could be joint top of the First Division table at the end of the night.

 

A late goal by Dean Broaders in the Regional Sports Centre, adding to Danny Furlong’s earlier strike, earned them the win over Waterford last week. They did concede an 89th minute goal against The Blues, as well as picking up five yellow cards, so Shane Keegan will be hoping for more discipline from his team this week.

 

James Dermody does return from suspension but Craig Wall, Graham Dennehy and Nathan West could all miss the game. Daryl Power is available again having been part of Paul Doolin’s Ireland Under 18 team playing in the Czech Republic during the week.

 

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS B

It is a first league meeting between the two clubs as Shamrock Rovers’ First Division team travels to take on Wexford on Friday.

 

Colin Hawkin’s Hoops team are still seeking their first win in their debut season, having drawn three of their opening four matches. Twice Rovers’ B-team have led in games, thanks to excellently taken goals by Daniel Purdy, only to concede and then having to be satisfied with a point from the games.

 

Last week against Shelbourne, when Rovers’ top team had no mid-week game, it allowed Colin Hawkins to strengthen the spine of his side by adding Rob Cornwall, Robert Bayly and Karl Sheppard to his starting XI. With Trevor Croly’s team having a fixture this Friday (away to Cork) and on Monday (home to UCD), it is less likely that their will be some Premier Division players available for Rovers’ second team.

 

Defender Sean Heaney returns to the squad after playing two games in the Czech Republic with the Ireland Under 18 team during the week.

 

“Wexford had a great win last week,” said Hawkins. “Their confidence will be high. They were also very good in that game, so we know what we can expect from them. But we played well ourselves last week and only for we lacked that final push, we could have got a win from the game. That’s our main aim at the moment; to get the first win as a team and we could do that on Friday night.”

 

If the Hoops can get that first win of the season, they would go level on points with Wexford and Longford Town. 

 

Referee: Simon Rogers.

 

 

MATCH STATS

The last time the two clubs played a competitive game against one another was in 2010 when Youths travelled to Tallaght for a Leinster Senior Cup tie and were defeated 2-1. There was a pre-season friendly played last year in IT Carlow with the Hoops winning 3-0 despite Gary McCabe being sent off in the game after only 21 minutes.

 

Danny Furlong and Daniel Purdy have scored two league goals for their respective teams this season, one goal behind the early First Division league goalscorer from Finn Harps Pat McCann. Furlong is the Warriors’ record goalscorer with 38 league goals to his name.

 

In their seven seasons completed in the League of Ireland to date, Wexford Youths have never finished higher than fourth in the First Division.

 

 

BETTING

Youths 4/5; Draw 23/10; Rovers 3/1.

 

PREDICTION

2-1 home win.

 

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: Nathan West, Ben Ryan Graham Delaney and Daragh Walshe (all doubtful)

Suspended: None.

International Duty: Daryl Power

 

Shamrock Rovers B

Injured: Shane Fagan (quad).
Suspended: None.