League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Shamrock Rovers II

• Andrew Dempsey
• Thu, Mar 05 2020




CABINTEELY

After starting the 2020 SSE Airtricity League First Division season with maximum points against Bray Wanderers and Athlone Town, Cabinteely host Shamrock Rovers II on Friday (kick-off at 7.45pm).

The clash will be just the second time a Shamrock Rovers side will make the trip to Stradbrook, with the Hoops first-team playing against the Green and White’s back in 2015 in the EA Sports Cup. 

Sean O’Connor and Brandon Miele both scored for Rovers on that occasion as the Eddie Gormley managed side fell to defeat. 

Times have since changed for both clubs in the meantime – and it is now the turn of Rovers second string to face Cabinteely at the South Dublin venue. 

“It’s been a brilliant start. To get six points from our first two games is a great achievement for the players,” Cabinteely first-team coach Eddie Gormley told the club’s media team.  

“But we are taking nothing for granted. We know we are going to have a tough game on Friday against Shamrock Rovers II.”

He added: “We have done our work all during the week in training. We’ll just keep doing what we do and see what Friday brings.” 

Cabinteely are expected to have a full-strength squad to choose from ahead of the visit of Shamrock Rovers II. 

HIGHLIGHTS | @AthloneTownAFC 1-3 @Cabinteely_FC

Fantastic victory from the early league-leaders Cabinteely at the Athlone Town Stadium

Fantastic finish from Vilius Labutis #LOI | #GreatestLeagueInTheWorldpic.twitter.com/e9Cr4ABCLi

— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) March 2, 2020

   SHAMROCK ROVERS II   

After picking up their first point of the season last time out against Galway United, Shamrock Rovers II make the trip to face Dublin rivals Cabinteely. 

Brandon Kavanagh gave the young Hoops the lead with just over 20 minutes to play, but they were pegged back at the death as Conor Barry slotted home at the back post for the Tribesmen. 

The result gave Aidan Price’s young side their first point of the season after their admittance to the First Division last month. 

Last week’s clash was played in abhorrent conditions at Tallaght Stadium – as both sides had to deal with the effects of Storm Jorge. 

The hosts opening goal naturally sprung Galway into life – as captain Shane Duggan went close on several occasions – but he could not find the target. 

The pressure continued as Leon Pohls was forced into a smart save from Christopher from close range – as the Hoops appeared increasingly likely to take all three points. 

And it soon told as Conor Barry tapped home after being fed in by Melody’s pass across the six-yard box, leaving the Tribesmen deservedly level. 

There was further drama to come, but Kavanagh’s effort at the death just went over the bar – leaving both sides unable to be separated at the full-time whistle. 

Shamrock Rovers have yet to release team news for their second string’s trip to Stradbrook on Friday evening. 

 

Referee: Alan Carey. 

 

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely most recently faced Shamrock Rovers last month – with the Hoops first-team running out comfortable three-nil winners over Pat Devlin’s side. 

Cabo shot-stopper Michael Kelly was a former member of the last Shamrock Rovers second string to take part in the First Division, where he made five league appearances for the B team. 

Pat Devlin’s last competitive league victory over the Hoops came all the way back in 2011, as his Bray Wanderers side earned a 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers at the Carlisle Grounds. 

Aidan Price’s Shamrock Rovers II have a used a total of 16 players in the First Division so far this season with senior League of Ireland debuts for the likes of Alex Dunne and Darragh Nugent coming in both games. 

BETTING

Cabinteely 2/5; Draw 16/5; Shamrock Rovers II 5/1.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 2 - 0 Shamrock Rovers II

 

Cabinteely

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Shamrock Rovers II

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.