League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sat, Aug 29 2015




SLIGO ROVERS

Mickey Adams has indeed proved to be something of a saving light for Sligo since taking the reins at the Showgrounds, after the club struggled for both consistency and results in the first half of the season.

 

After the dispatching of Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup Third Round last week, the new manager was keen to praise his sides’ professionalism at knocking out their non-league opponents.

 

“I was pleased with how the team performed, absolutely,” said Adams.  “I couldn’t have asked for any more than they gave. In a cup game, it doesn’t matter if you win by one goal or by four, the ultimate target is just to get through to the next round and that is exactly what we did.
 

“But now we are back to our bread and butter with the league game. So we will be putting all of our focus back on that now.”

 

Goals are something which Sligo struggled with prior to the arrival of the English manager and so he was only delighted to see four hit the back of the Cobh net last time out.

 

“Front men will always thrive on goals and the more goals they get the more confident they will be. When you have strikers that are scoring it makes you a better team and ours are banging them in. So hopefully it will continue.”

 

With Stephen McPhail and Damien Duff likely to be amongst the travelling party for the Hoops, Adams is all too aware of the magnitude of the task his side will face on Saturday night.

 

“They will go into this game as favourites, they are a good side that are going for Europe. They have good players, a good manager and a good set-up, everything about them is top class. So we will be expecting a very difficult game against them.”

 

Tim Clancy has been ruled out of this one due to a clause in the midfielders loan deal with his parent club. Morten Nielsen is once again back in contention but Danny Ledwith has not been so lucky and he will find himself sidelined with a thigh injury.

 

Jeff Henderson and Kevin Devaney continue to occupy the physio’s room but the pair are expected to return to the pitch towards the end of the current season.

 

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Dublin club recorded a 3-0 win over Cork City last time out and will be hoping to keep things going when they head to the North West of the country on Saturday evening.

 

The Hoops have been out of action since that night due to their elimination from the FAI Cup back at the start of the summer, while their scheduled Leinster Senior Cup game last Tuesday night had to be called off due to torrential rain in Longford, and much of the country, leaving the City Calling Stadium pitch  unplayable.

 

Hoops top scorer Mikey Drennan, along with Marty Waters, will miss out through suspension while Stephen McPhail is expected to return to the squad, although a place from the start may be beyond the former Irish international.

 

Damien Duff could well make his first start since his return to his homeland. A 90 second cameo by the Rovers midfielder against Cork delighted the crowd in attendance at Tallaght Stadium and one would suspect there may be some locals on Saturday night who will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who once lit up the Premier League during his days playing for Chelsea, and lest we not forget the impact he had on the 2002 World Cup.

 

Referee: Derek Tomney.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Damien Duff has encountered Mickey Adams before, as the young Dubliner appeared for Chelsea against Leicester back in 2003 – the game in questions was actually the winger’s debut for the London club.

 

Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to score three or more goals for the third game in a row for the first time this decade.

 

Brandon Miele’s nine league goals to date have seen him become the first midfielder at the club to score nine, without penalties, since Paul Doolin did in 1985/86 season.

 

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 15/4; Draw 5/2; Shamrock Rovers 3/4.

 

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shamrock Rovers.

 

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Jeff Henderson, Kevin Devaney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Tim Clancy (loan clause).

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Kieran Waters.