League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk

• Macdara Ferris
• Sat, Jul 12 2014




SHAMROCK ROVERS

On Sunday afternoon Shamrock Rovers welcome Dundalk to Tallaght Stadium for what is arguably the Hoops’ biggest game of the season (kick off 4pm). A win would see Rovers join Dundalk in second place in the table, three points behind Cork City with the Munster men having played one match more than both teams.

 

Last weekend, Rovers battled to a 2-1 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic in a game that saw Stephen McPhail sent off; that red card means the Hoops will be without the services of the Irish international for this game due to suspension. Rovers manager Trevor Croly can call upon the services of left back Luke Byrne who is available following a recent procedure to clear up a cartilage injury.

 

If Rovers avoid defeat they will regain third spot from St. Pat’s but the Hoops boss says his team are focused on a victory. “We will be looking to take all the points on offer to close up the small gap between ourselves and Dundalk,” said Trevor Croly whose team have only lost once at home in the league all season.

 

"We had a very good win last week which left us just three points behind Dundalk going into Sunday’s game. This is another big game for both sides and considering our recent performances, we’re confident going into it.”

 

 

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites return briefly to domestic action, after their successful start to Europa League qualification, with a trip to Tallaght to take on Shamrock Rovers on Sunday. The 5-1 aggregate European win for Dundalk against Luxembourg side Jeuness Esch sets up a tie against Hajduk Split next week. It would be a great boost for Stephen Kenny’s men if they can travel to Croatia as league leaders but they will only do so if they take all three points on offer in Tallaght this weekend.

 

It is a fortnight since Dundalk last played in the league, when they required a late Richie Towell goal to go with Kurtis Byrne’s earlier strike to earn them a point in the Brandywell against Derry. Last Thursday, they won their second leg against Jeuness Esch 3-1 with first half goals from Brian Gartland, Kurtis Byrne and John Mountney.

 

"We were ruthless in front of goal on Thursday,” said Stephen Kenny speaking to dundalkfc.com about the tie. “It was a comprehensive victory all being said and we're happy to be into the next round. We are on a great run of form at the minute. The players are playing with confidence.

 

"We are looking back to the league now and it's all part of playing in Europe. We are looking forward to the game this weekend but it is a massive game for us. We will prepare properly and make sure we're ready for Shamrock Rovers."

 

Kenny will be able to select Keith Ward who is back in contention after overcoming a hairline fracture of his back bone. Also available again are Patrick Hoban, returning for the first time since his recent knee surgery, and Mark Rossiter but David McMillan is still suspended.

 

Both sides have conceded 16 goals in their 18 league games to date and Dundalk defender Andy Boyle will be hoping for at least another clean sheet for his team as they focus on domestic affairs this weekend.

 

“I thought we played well and we were better over the two legs,” said Boyle speaking to dundalkfc.com about the Europa League second round win. “The tie wasn’t over after the first leg but we were professional about it, the early goal helped us and we were really enjoying the game and got the job done.

 

“We are looking at the next game now and it’s great to be involved in all of these big games. They’re the games you want to be a part of and it seems that every game we play is even bigger than the last but we have to make sure that we put Europe in the back of our mind. We are looking forward to Sunday, we have to prepare properly, which we will do and hopefully we can get the job done.”

 

Referee: Paul McLoughlin

 

 

MATCH STATS

The match in Tallaght will take place a couple of hours ahead of the World Cup Final in Brazil. Coincidently, the two teams also met on World Cup Final day four years ago. On the day that Spain were crowned World Champions, Rovers ran out 4-0 winners over Dundalk.

 

The sides have met three times this season, with Dundalk winning both legs of the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final. In the league, the two teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Oriel Park. The win in the all-island competition was only the Lilywhites second ever victory in Tallaght. The first was a 2-0 win back in March 2010.

 

Ciarán Kilduff and Gary McCabe are joint top goalscorers for the Hoops. Both have got five in the league and eight in all competitions. Pat Hoban is the top league scorer for Dundalk with eight goals but Richie Towell has scored ten in all competitions.

 

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 6/4; Draw 11/5; Dundalk 17/10.

 

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 1 - 1 Dundalk

 

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Karl Sheppard (Stomach)
Suspended: Stephen McPhail.

 

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (knee).
Doubtful: Keith Ward (back bone)
Suspended: David McMilan.