League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, Oct 16 2014




DROGHEDA UNITED

The Boynesiders final home battle of this season is with Shamrock Rovers at United Park on Friday evening (kick off 7.45pm). The Drogs came within a minute of beating the outgoing League of Ireland champions last week at home only to concede two late late goals to St. Pat’s.

 

Daire Doyle, who put through his own net in the 89^th minute to hand the Saints an equaliser, is suspended for this game having picked up four yellow cards. Gavin Brennan continues to be unavailable as he is two games into a five match ban following his recent sending off.

 

Damien Richardson, facing the club he both played for and managed, felt his team were unlucky to miss out on the win last week having put in a performance that Richardson rates as one of the best since he joined the club.

 

“I felt that we fully deserved all three points against St Pat’s last week had it not been for a catastrophic couple of minutes at the end. We played really well for long parts of the game having struggled to adapt at the beginning. It was arguably the best performance since I have taken over which is very pleasing and I believe that the lesson in how to see out a game has been learned.

 

“That is an important part of the progression of the team. We need to learn and to evolve with each passing week. I’m delighted with how we have played in the past few weeks against some of the best sides in the country and that gives me great confidence for the future of this side.

 

“Pat Fenlon’s sides are always tough to beat and they have a more cautious approach than previous Rovers sides. I’m sure that they will be motivated following the Dundalk game on Monday but we have our own inspiration with it being our last home game of the season. It’s going to be a good test but above all else, we want to send the fans home happy.”

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

United Park is a happy hunting ground for the Hoops who have won their last nine league games in the Louth venue. There is little for Rovers to play for on this occasion. In their final away trip of the campaign, it is just pride and potentially for some players a contract with the club next season that is at stake.

 

St. Patrick’s Athletic’s superior goal difference means that Rovers cannot catch the Saints who sit in third place, one spot above Rovers in the table.

 

“We want to finish the season properly and in a positive manner,” said Rovers boss Pat Fenlon ahead of the game. “That means taking the six points that are on offer. We know it will be a tricky game against Drogheda on Friday night.

 

“They are playing well at the moment and have since Damien came in and Darius before him. It is also a tight pitch, which is usually in their favour. But at a big club like ours, no matter what the season was like, we want to keep going until the end and finish in the right manner.”

 

Ryan Brennan’s penalty slip on the Oriel Park synthetic surface last week meant the Hoops missed out on a win against league leaders Dundalk. Pat Cregg’s late second yellow card in the 0-0 draw against the Lilywhites means he is suspended. Pat Fenlon will also have to plan without defender David O’Connor who is injured.

 

Referee: Graham Kelly.

 

MATCH STATS
The Hoops were last beaten at United Park back in April 2005 and have won 11 consecutive competitive games at the venue. Jason McGuinness played in that last defeat for Rovers.

 

While Drogheda currently sit in ninth place, they could finish as high as sixth in the end of season table. They trail Bohemians by a point with Limerick and Derry City two points above them. United travel to take on UCD in Belfield in next week’s final game of the season.

 

The Hoops haven’t won a league game away from Tallaght Stadium during Pat Fenlon’s tenure as Shamrock Rovers boss. They have drawn four games and lost one. Dan Murray scored an injury time goal for Cork City in Turner’s Cross to consign Fenlon to his only league away defeat as Rovers boss.

 

BETTING

Drogheda United 3/1; Draw 12/5; Shamrock Rovers 17/20.

 

PREDICTION
2-0 away win.

 

Drogheda United

Injured: Cathal Brady.

Doubtful: Michael Daly.

Suspended: Gavin Brennan, Daire Doyle.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: David O’Connor.

Suspended: Patrick Cregg.