The results over the May Bank Holiday weekend and the subsequent impact on league placings have added extra significance to this game at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night, as the now second placed Shamrock Rovers play host to league leaders Drogheda United in a top of the table clash (kick-off 7.45pm). The Hoops had a good weekend, picking up a point away to Cork City on Friday night and following that up with a good win at home to Sligo Rovers on Monday night. Those four points accumulated now propel them further up the table into second place, only a point adrift of the Co. Louth side. They were fully deserving winners over the Bit O’ Red, winning 2-0. Graham Burke got their first in the 26th minute but all the plaudits on the night were reserved for Aaron Greene who scored the second goal which was also his 100th League of Ireland goal over a long and illustrious career. This was only Rovers’ fourth home victory of the season, with three of those four wins coming against teams in the lower half of the table, the exception being a 1-0 home win against St Patrick’s Athletic back in March. Their ascent up the table has been slow but steady and they will need to be at their best on Friday night if they are to continue on that winning trajectory, a point manager Stephen Bradley made when he spoke to the Rovers’ media team this week.
“Drogheda are doing really well, they are top of the league and deservedly so,” said the Hoops Head Coach. “They will come Tallaght full of confidence and we know its going to be a difficult game. They have shown all season with their performances and results that they are top of the league after 14 games so we will have to be at our best to win the game.” Bradley was full of praise for the younger players (Cory O’Sullivan, John O’Sullivan, Victor Ozhianvuna, Michael Noonan) in the squad. “They just buy into everything we do as a group, their attitude has been brilliant, their desire to want to be footballers, their work rate is top class so we will only see more of these lads as we move forward.”
The Boynesiders had been on a mini slump of late, not winning in their previous four games and they almost made it five without a win against Cork City last Monday evening. They had lost their place at the top of the table but regained it albeit with almost the last kick of the game against City at Sullivan and Lambe Park. The sides were level at 2-2 in the 95th minute when City keeper Tein Troost upended substitute Thomas Olowa in the box, Ryan Brennan gleefully dispatching the subsequent penalty to leave it 3-2 to the home side. Manager Kevin Doherty spoke to the Irish Sun in advance of this game and made a specific reference to the need for a strong referee for the game. He said: “I am 100 percent in agreement that we need a strong referee and we have one to be fair. He also added: “Some of the stuff that has gone against us this year against other clubs, I would be very happy if there is a strong refereeing performance. It would make me happy because I think a lot of stuff has gone against us this year. I am confident that we do have that.” Referee: Rob Harvey.
The Hoops have beaten the Boynesiders on the last seven occasions, home and away, so the odds are good for them that they will maintain that record on Friday night. In the most recent clash in Drogheda in March, they had to come from behind to claim all three points in a 2-1 win. Conor Keeley gave the home side a 33rd minute lead but the same two players who sealed the win against Sligo Rovers on Monday night also came to their rescue on this occasion. Greene equalised in the 43rd minute and Burke scored the winner in the 70th minute. Shamrock Rovers are currently listed at odds of ½ to win the match, with a draw at 5/2 and Drogheda United at 11/2.
Shamrock Rovers will be without Sean Robertson and Sean Kavanagh due to injuries, while Aaron McEneff, Dylan Watts, Danny Mandroiu, and Dan Cleary are doubtful for the match. On the other hand, Drogheda United has no injuries reported but Luke Dennison, Darragh Markey, and Paul Doyle are doubtful.
“I’ve been saying a lot of what we’ve been doing has been good and I’ve been saying it because it’s what I really feel and meant,” Bradley said about his team’s performance against Sligo. “We know where we needed to be a bit better and to tidy up as a group and we did that against Sligo. We scored two and possibly could’ve had more and didn’t concede which is obviously important. So really happy overall.”
Bradley emphasized the importance of Greene’s contribution, stating, “Aaron has been so important. I don’t know if people understand the full extent of how important Aaron has been. On the pitch, he’s been really good, but every day in training in everything we do, Aaron has helped build our culture set our standards. He’s one of our leaders around this club. He’s a brilliant example for our young players within the Academy to look up to.”
As for the upcoming match, Bradley acknowledged the challenge Drogheda United presents. “This will be as testing a game as we’ve had this season. Yes it will. Drogheda have been up there from the start, fourteen games in and they’re still there. They deserve to be there, so we need to make sure we give Drogheda the full respect tomorrow that they deserve and what they’re good at, which we will.”
Bradley also noted that he has not spoken to Shelbourne manager Damien Duff this week following their recent media exchanges. “It’s not about reaching out, it’s about when I say something that’s how I feel. If I feel something I will say it, and then for me it's quite easy, get ready for the next training session, the next game.”
As the match approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting encounter. With Shamrock Rovers looking to maintain their momentum and Drogheda United aiming to solidify their position at the top, this clash could have significant implications for the league standings. The atmosphere at Tallaght Stadium is sure to be electric as both teams vie for crucial points in this pivotal matchup.
