League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- DLR Waves

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, Sep 20 2024




SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops will host their penultimate home game of the season on Saturday when they welcome second last in the league DLR Waves to Tallaght for this southside Dublin derby.

There was disappointment for Rovers last week as they conceded a late equaliser to bottom side Cork City. 

Hoops Head Coach Collie O’Neill admitted the result was “a tough one to take” and while he expects a similar set up from the opposition on Saturday he is certainly hoping for a different result in the 4pm kick-off in Dublin 24.

“Their goal I think was the only time they entered our box in the whole second half,” said O’Neill. “We had enough possession and probably should have put the game to bed by then but once you get into the last five minutes you’d be hoping to see it through.

“DLR are very similar (to Cork City) in that they go player for player around the pitch, they’re hardworking and they try to make it as difficult as possible for you to try and play your football.

"I’m expecting a very similar game to last week and I’m just hoping that we can take some lessons from last week and put them into play this weekend.”


DLR Waves

Waves come into the game having lost three of their last four matches – with their only win in that time coming in a fine 4-0 away win in Sligo at the start of September. Throwing his eye over the opposition, Collie O’Neill had this to say about DLR Waves. 

“I think Aisling Meehan up top has been a good addition to them. She’s done well with the Irish underage team, she scored a hattrick over in Portugal only a couple of weeks ago, so she’s going to be a threat.

"Abbie Brophy has come back after being at Wexford and she adds another attacking threat to them.

"We have to be mindful of their threats, but also try to focus on ourselves and our strengths and trying to make sure that we try to create some good chances for ourselves.”

Referee: Kate O’Brien

MATCH STATS

The Hoops have had the upper hand between the teams this season, winning two league games and drawing the other as well as earning a 4-0 over Waves in the All-Island Cup back in April. 

PREDICTION

3 - 1 home win

Collie O'Neill: 'You'd still like to see maybe the FAI do something about keeping players like that here. Maybe the government can give that extra investment to keep players here. It would be nice if we could develop our own league.”https://t.co/JzQActL2bS

— Macdara Ferris (@macdarabueller) September 15, 2024