League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Longford Town

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Reigning Premier Division champions Shamrock Rovers welcome Longford Town to Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening (kick-off is at 6pm).

The Hoops come into the game off the back of a comprehensive 2-0 win away to Derry City last time out.

An opener from Rory Gaffney was followed up with a long-range screamer from Graham Burke as Stephen Bradley’s side picked up a routine three points.

But their Head Coach is not getting carried away with their win at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as they get set to host Longford Town on Saturday evening.  

“They’re really good in the attacking part of the pitch, they have some good players,” he told his club’s media team.

“In all their games, they’ve been really, really tight games other than the Drogheda game. I expect a difficult game.

“They’re going to come to Tallaght and enjoy the big pitch and want to come and have a go at us so we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for that.”

Neil Farrugia is Rovers’ only confirmed absentee. Meanwhile, Joey O’Brien is listed as a doubt.

LONGFORD TOWN

Daire Doyle’s Longford Town will be looking to produce a reaction of sorts at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening as they visit Shamrock Rovers.

Town were handed a harsh lesson of the realities of Premier Division life as they were easily swatted aside by four goals to nil at home to Drogheda United last weekend.

The Boynesiders took a one-nil lead heading into the break thanks to Mark Doyle’s opener, before they blew Longford away in a dominant 20 minute spell in the second-half.

Chris Lyons and Hugh Douglas also got on the scoresheet as Doyle grabbed his brace to seal the deal for the visitors in a dominant display.

However, the Red and Black will be looking at Saturday as an opportunity to build up some sort of confidence ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Finn Harps.

In terms of team news, Dean Byrne, Dean Zambra, Aaron McNally and Callum Warfield are all ruled out with injury.  

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have not defeated Shamrock Rovers in a league game since 2005 – with their last league win away to the Hoops coming in April of that year.

Shamrock Rovers are unbeaten in their previous 26 league games – with their last defeat coming in September 2019 away to Dundalk.

The Hoops’ last home league defeat also came against Dundalk – and that was in June 2019.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 1/5; Draw 17/4; Longford Town 14/1.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2 - 1 Longford Town

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Neil Farrugia.

Doubtful: Joey O’Brien.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Dean Byrne, Callum Warfield, Aaron McNally, Dean Zambra.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.