League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Feb 28 2020




SHAMROCK ROVERS

The top two go head-to-head at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night with at least one of the league’s two remaining 100% records guaranteed to be sacrificed (kick-off 8pm).

Close to an 8,000 sell-out is expected at the south Dublin venue as the league's two heavyweights meet in an early-season clash (a limited number of East Stand tickets are available here).

The Hoops lead the table on goal difference following their thumping 6-0 win over Cork City in Tallaght seven days ago but nothing else separates the two sides.

A comfortable 2-0 win over Waterford on Monday night allowed Stephen Bradley to give game time to some of his fringe players and a rest to others.

One of those coming into the side, Rhys Marshall, was on target with a spectacular strike to mark his debut following his off-season switch from Glenavon.

The likes of Greg Bolger, Dylan Watts and Dean Williams also got minutes into their legs but Bradley is likely to revert to a more familiar 11 as the Lilywhites come to town.

Having beaten them to the league by 11 points last year – though Rovers got their own back in the FAI Cup final – Dundalk represent the toughest test they’ve faced so far.

“They’re obviously league champions and a top team but we don’t fear anyone,” Bradley told the club’s media team.

“We’ll go and impose our game on them. They’re a good side but we’re a good side as well and we’ll go to win the game.

“It’s continuing on when you have two teams that are pushing each other, it’s always going to be made into a rivalry but last year is done.

“The cup is done, it was November so we forget about it now. It’s about [Friday] night and showing up and being ready to impose our game on them.”

Bradley hopes to have new signing Rory Gaffney available as he awaits international clearance his switch from Salford City.

Top scorer Graham Burke misses out with a foot issue, while Sean Kavanagh continues his recovery from knee surgery.

Midfielder Gary O’Neill is a doubt following the tragic death of his mother earlier in the week.

DUNDALK

Dundalk, like Rovers, come into the fourth game of the campaign with a perfect record of three from three.

And, like their opponents, they can take confidence from a comfortable home victory over Cork City, having beaten them 3-0 at Oriel Park on Monday.

Goals from Michael Duffy and Patrick Hoban, topped off by a stunning Jordan Flores strike, saw Vinny Perth’s side to victory.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a game,” Perth told extratime.ie following the routine win over Cork City.

“It would be played up by everybody else, I think it’s three points and whoever wins or loses will bounce back the following week, if they have to. That’s just the way it goes.”

Flores added: “It’s going to be a big game. It’s always a tough battle against Shamrock Rovers.

“Every game against them is always important and Friday is no different. We have prepared well for the game.

“We have done a lot of work during the week and we are all looking forward to it.”

John Mountney and Sean Murray continue to miss out but Georgie Kelly has returned to full training, while Patrick McEleney and Darragh Leahy face late fitness tests.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk hold the firm upper hand in this fixture in recent times, with six wins from the last ten competitive meetings between the sides.

2019 saw the teams meet five times in all competitions with no more than a goal separating them on each occasion.

Dundalk ran out winners in three of the four league meetings, including a 3-2 win at Oriel Park to seal the title, while the first meeting in Tallaght ended scoreless.

The FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium in November finished a goal apiece after Aaron McEneff’s penalty was cancelled out by Michael Duffy in injury time.

Gary O’Neill stepped up to net the decisive penalty in the shoot-out as the Hoops ended a 32-year hunt for a record 25^th FAI Cup trophy.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 6/5; Draw 2/1; Dundalk 11/5.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2 – 1 Dundalk

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Graham Burke (calf), Sean Kavanagh (knee).

Doubtful: Gary O’Neill.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: John Mountney, Sean Murray.

Doubtful: Darragh Leahy, Patrick McEleney.

Suspended: None.