League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Sligo Rovers

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, Mar 27 2014




SHAMROCK ROVERS

In the clash of the Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night, Shamrock Rovers are looking for a win over Sligo Rovers (kick off 7.05pm) to remain top of the early season League of Ireland table. The Hoops bring league momentum into the match having dispatched Bohemians 3-1 in last week’s Dublin Derby win in Dalymount Park.

 

Rovers’ victory in front of a capacity crowd in the northside venue was their second win in Dalymount in their last six attempts and was the first time the Hoops had scored three goals against Bohs since 2010. However, the Hoops followed last Friday’s derby win up with a disappointing result on Monday night when they went down to Dundalk at home 2-1 in the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final first leg. Trevor Croly will be looking for his side to bounce back from that loss with an improved display when Sligo are the visitors to Tallaght.

 

“This is a game that everyone has been looking forward to,” said Trevor Croly. “It should be a good game of football played in front of a big crowd. We know that a big crowd will be a great boost for the players as it has been in every game so far this season. We need to repeat the performance we put in against Bohemians last week, and if we do, we have a good chance of getting the three points."

 

The Hoops are unveiling a piece of their past on the night as a turnstile from Glenmalure Park that was used for over 60 years in the Milltown venue has been restored and will be on display in the Glenmalure Suite ahead of the game. Sligo Rovers were the visitors for the last game in Milltown and so there is a certain symmetry around the event on Friday as the Bit O’Red travel to Tallaght. The turnstile had been used in Wayside Celtic’s ground after the closure of Milltown before its recent restoration and guests from the Leinster Senior League side will be in attendance at the game.

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers make their first trip to Tallaght Stadium of the season as they take on Shamrock Rovers on Friday. Unlike last year, it has been a slow league start to the season with just one win for the Bit O’Red in the league having been beaten by both Bray Wanderers and Dundalk in their last two outings.

 

Last Tuesday though, Sligo had a confidence boosting 2-0 win over St. Pat’s in their Setanta Sports Cup semi-final first leg in The Showgrounds, with Danny North scoring both goals. That was revenge for Rovers over the league champions who had prevailed in the inaugural President’s Cup against Sligo ahead of the kick-off of the league season.

 

The Bit O’Red were unlucky to lose last week having battled hard against Dundalk with only 10 men for 80 minutes of the game before conceding an injury time goal. Ross Gaynor’s early red card certainly shaped the outcome of that game for Sligo and he will miss the match in Dublin due to suspension. Joseph Ndo though returns to the Ian Baraclough’s squad after his recent hamstring trouble, with Kieran Djilali also available for the first time in the league having played in the Setanta Cup on Tuesday. If he plays it will be his 100^th league appearance in Ireland and England.

 

“The last two matches have seen very workmanlike performances,” said Sligo boss Ian Baraclough. “We deserved our victory on Tuesday night (against St. Pat’s) and it could have been a lot more. We had 19 attempts on goal and came away with the two goals.

 

“It is a tough XI to name. There is a real battle for each position and even with four players on the sideline, the competition is there. There is a strong squad and the reason I’m optimistic going into Friday’s game is the spirit among them. They are showing tremendous drive.

 

“The reaction to the defeat to Bray has been really encouraging. We were all guilty that night of not performing to how we can and we’ve managed to respond to it really well. We will set our stall out like we do for every game to get three points. There is nothing to fear for us. We were in training the next morning after the Pat’s game and our preparations have been as best as we could manage. We feel we’ll be ready for the encounter.”

 

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

 

MATCH STATS
Sligo have kept a clean sheet in half of their last 22 away league games. 

 

The last three times Danny North has scored he has gone on to make it a double with goals in the 2013 FAI Cup final, the second leg Setanta Cup quarter-final win over Crusaders and this week’s victory over St Pat’s.

 

The teams played each other four times last season with two draws and two wins for Sligo. Those victories came in the FAI Cup semi-final en-route to the Bit O’Red winning the trophy and in the final game of the league season in Tallaght.

 

BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 6/5; Draw 11/5; Sligo Rovers 11/5.

 

PREDICTION
1-1

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injury News: David O’Connor (ankle) with Marty Waters (calf) and Stephen McPhail (tendonitis) both doubtful.

Suspension News: None.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injury News: Danny Ledwith (hamstring), Gavin Peers (knee) and Raffaele Cretaro (calf) are out injured.

Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Ross Gaynor.