League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Longford Town

Shamrock Rovers welcome Longford Town to Tallaght Stadium on Friday night for a fixture where both sides will be eager to take the full three points for entirely different reasons. For The Hoops, a win here tonight would aid their pursuit of third-placed Derry City as the race for European football begins to heat up. For Longford, every game from now until the end of the season can only be deemed as ‘must-win’ and Tony Cousins will certainly be hopeful that his side can claim only their second win of the season in order to boost their fading ambition of survival. 
 
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers interim boss Stephen Bradley will be in search of a big improvement from his squad this week after The Hoops limped to a lackluster one all draw against Bray Wanderers in their last league outing.
 
Rovers had found themselves a goal down courtesy of a Dylan Connolly strike, however, a 73rd minute penalty from Gary McCabe salvaged a point against the struggling Seagulls.
 
The Hoops currently find themselves in fourth place, five points off Derry, however they do hold two games in hand over The Candystripes and a win here tonight would certainly help tighten the gap between themselves and the final Europa League spot.
 
In team news, Luke Byrne continues his recovery from a cruciate and lateral knee ligament injury which has seen him ruled out for the remainder of the 2016 campaign. In more encouraging news, long-term absentee Evan Osam is back doing light training work and it is hoped that he will be available for selection sooner rather than later although tonight’s clash does come too soon for the youngster. 
 
Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie this past week, Bradley spoke of the importance a victory will hold to their season.  
 
“We need to win, there’s no other way of putting it,” Bradley said.
 
“I think the lads, and the staff, know themselves that our first half performance last week was nowhere near good enough. We’re better than that. Our second half performance was better, so tomorrow we need to start the game right,” Bradley continued.
 
“We need to play our game and stick to our game plan. We have to play the game at the right tempo, similar to the way we played against Bohs.”
 
Reflecting on last week’s draw against Bray, Bradley pinpointed exactly where his squad need to improve against Longford 
 
“There were too many long balls going on, we need to move the ball quickly and along the ground. That’s the way we need to play and we’re a better team when we play that way. We need to perform the same way we did in the second half of last week’s game.”
 
“But, we’re confident going into tomorrow’s game now. We go into most games confident of getting the win, we need to bring that confidence onto the pitch and perform better. We have to stick to our own game plan,” Bradley finished on.
 
Gary Shaw has enjoyed a positive first season with Rovers so far with a number of goals to his credit including the goal that put his side 2-1 up against Bohemians in last month’s excellent Dublin derby.
 
He also spoke to shamrockrovers.ie over the last week and he also noted how vital it is for his side to pick up the win.
 
“Last week was a disappointment but we have to give Bray credit, they’re a good side and won’t have any problems with relegation battles this year. But we have to look at ourselves, we have to regroup and get the three points tomorrow. These games are vital in us getting a European spot.”
 
“You look back on these results and if you don’t get three points in these games you’ll regret it come the end of the season,” Shaw said.
 
Shaw, who himself made his name with Longford Town, spoke of Rovers’ prospects for the remainder of the season and although he knows it is unlikely for the likes of Dundalk, Cork City and Derry to drop points, it is still highly important that the Tallaght-men continue to win games.
 
“You look at Derry, they won’t go away any time soon that’s for sure,” Shaw said.
 
“Cork and Dundalk also won’t drop points so it is tough for us but we got to focus on ourselves, play our own game and if we keep winning who knows what can happen. We have to be confident going into games and got to keep getting three points when we can.”
 
LONGFORD TOWN
Overall, Longford Town have endured a difficult 2016 season, however two impressive draws in their last two outings against Sligo Rovers and Galway United shows that there is still reason for the Longford faithful to believe that they can claw their way out of the relegation scrap.
 
In truth, on paper this seems unlikely, however Tallaght Stadium has already bore witness to magic this week and The Town will now be hoping to create a bit of their own with an upset victory tonight. 
 
After going on a four-game losing streak through mid-June to mid-July where they conceded no less than 11 goals, Longford brought a semi-smile back to their fans faces after an inspiring performance against an in-form Sligo side saw them twice battle back from behind to claim a point that all so easily could have been turned into a win with a number of late chances falling their way. 
 
One week later they took the lead against Galway through star man Kaleem Simon, however The Tribesmen ensured Longford were left waiting for a second win of the season as a Paul Sinnott strike just after the hour mark made it a point apiece.
 
Cousins’ side will now focus on attempting to finally grind out a first league victory since the opening day of the season.
 
Referee: Tomas Connolly.
 
 
MATCH STATS
In their last meeting together Shamrock Rovers won two-nil at the City Calling Stadium thanks to an own-goal and a Danny North strike (his last league goal for the club). 
 
The clubs met four times across all competitions last season where Rovers came out on top in every game including a 3-2 cracker at Tallaght Stadium in May 2015.
Shamrock Rovers striker Gary Shaw earned plaudits throughout his Longford career, playing over 100 league games for the club across four seasons, scoring 26 goals before departing for the Hoops last December.
 
 
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 1/4; Draw 9/2; Longford Town 10/1.
 
 
PREDICTION
Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Longford Town.
 
 
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Luke Byrne, Evan Osam
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
 
Longford Town
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: None.