League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, Oct 09 2014




SHAMROCK ROVERS  

As 27 years without an FAI Cup win turns to 28, Pat Fenlon will need to pick up his Shamrock Rovers team for their remaining four games of the season beginning with Bray Wanderers’ visit to Tallaght on Friday (kick off 8pm).

 

There is the target of third place that is still available to them but they will need a favour from St. Patrick’s Athletic if they are to leapfrog the Saints into that position.

 

Last year, the cups provided good consolation for Rovers, having qualified for four semi-finals, they went on to win three trophies; the only one they missed out on was the FAI Cup.

 

In 2014 once again the Hoops qualified for the semi-final of all the cup competitions they entered – the first time Rovers have done this two seasons running since the 1960s. However the year will end without any trophies for the Hoops.

 

Last Tuesday night’s elimination from the FAI Ford Cup at the hands of Derry City was Rovers’ third game in six days, with a trip to take on the league leaders in Dundalk still to come next Monday.

 

Those recent matches have taken a toll on the Rovers squad with four injury doubts for the Bray game through the spine of the team. Goalkeeper Barry Murphy, defender David O’Connor, midfielder Stephen McPhail and striker Dean Kelly are all doubtful for the match. Jason McGuinness is also suspended following his red card in Derry during the week.

 

After the 1-1 draw in Tallaght last weekend, on Tuesday the turning point of the FAI Cup semi-final replay against Derry came on 63 minutes with that sending off. McGuinness picked up a second yellow card when conceding a penalty.

 

While Rory Patterson missed the resulting spot kick, Derry ultimately broke down 10-man Rovers ahead of any required extra time. Michael Duffy scored with two of the 90 minutes remaining, with Patterson wrapping up the 2-0 win for the Candystripes in injury time.

 

“In both games, there was very little between the teams,” was Hoops boss Pat Fenlon’s assessment of the semi-final tie.  “They got a little break on Tuesday that maybe we didn’t get with the sending off. Sometimes that is what decides matches.

 

“I don’t think anyone came away from either game saying one team or the other was the better side. They just got the break that we didn’t get. Sunday at home was probably where we lost it when we were leading and were comfortable.”

 

With four league games left in their league campaign, Shamrock Rovers remain seven points behind third placed St. Patrick’s Athletic, who have played a game more than Rovers.

 

The team that finishes in third place will play in Europe next season, although a cup win for St. Pat’s over Derry would earn both the Saints and the Hoops entry into the Europa League qualifiers.

 

“We’ve got to maintain our performances and keep winning our own games and hope that Pat’s drop points,” said Fenlon. “However, if they win the Cup that is another option that would guarantee us passage to Europe so that is what we are looking at.”

 

 

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray travel to Tallaght Stadium on Friday night buoyed by recent good results and knowing if they can get a win, Premier Division football in the Carlisle Grounds will be secured for 2015. Having had back-to-back 1-1 draws in their last two games, home to Derry and away to Drogheda, Alan Mathews’ men are seeking to pick up their first points against Rovers this season.

 

"We are looking forward to the game and we want to take the positives from our last two performances into this game,” said Bray boss Mathews, “and do our very best to get the right result.”

 

It is a limited squad due to suspension on Friday though that he brings from Wicklow. Ismahil Akinade and Shane O'Connor both received red cards in the game against Drogheda United and will miss this match.

 

Niall Cooney was sent off against Derry City so he joins Dave Webster in the stands. Webster has picked up eight yellow cards during the season captaining Bray and now has a one match ban he needs to serve.

 

Referee: Robert Harvey.

 

 

MATCH STATS
 

Shamrock Rovers are unbeaten in the last 10 league meetings against Bray, including last July’s 7-0 thrasing of the Seagulls by the Hoops – a record league away defeat for Bray.

 

The teams have played each other twice this season with Rovers winning 2-1 in Tallaght. Gary McCabe and Sean Heaney scored for the Hoops that night; Heaney becoming the youngest league scorer for Rovers in a quarter of a century. The Hoops won 3-0 in the Carlisle Grounds with Jason McGuinness, Shane Robinson and Dean Kelly scoring the goals.

 

Rovers’ last league outing in Tallaght was a 3-0 win over UCD, their third clean sheet in a row at home in the league and their seventh shut out from their 14 home league games this year.

 

BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 1/4; Draw 9/2; Bray Wanderers 9/1.

 

PREDICTION
2-0 home win.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubful: Barry Murphy, David O’Connor, Stephen McPhail, Dean Kelly

Suspended: Jason McGuinness.

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Suspended: Niall Cooney, Ismahil Akinade, Shane O’Connor, David Webster.