20.00 24 Mar 2014 -
Referee: Paul Tuite
Setanta Cup Preview - Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk
- Josh Dolan
- Sun, Mar 23 2014
SHAMROCK ROVERS
The Hoops continue their defence of the Setanta Sports Cup on Monday night, as they host Dundalk in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
Hoops boss, Trevor Croly is obviously delighted with reaching a cup semi-final so early in the season.
“It’s great to be involved in a semi-final game so early in the season. We have done well in this cup in the few years we have been involved, and we’ll be looking to continue that by progressing to May’s final,” the Hoops boss explained.
Croly has been happy with his side’s recent form and insists that he expects more of the same on Monday night.
“The players are playing very well lately and are showing great character in games and we’ll expect more of that tomorrow night.”
The Hoops boss came in for large amounts of criticism from The Rovers faithful last season, but The Hoops boss admits that the fans have been central to The Hoops success so far this season.
“The fans have been great in the games so far. We’re lucky to have them and are very grateful for the support we get, no other team in the country has that.”
David O’Connor remains absent for The Hoops with an ankle ligament injury, midfield duo Shane Robinson are also out through injury; while winger Kieran Marty Waters is doubtful with a calf problem.
DUNDALK
The Lilywhites go into the game on the back of a last gasp 1-0 triumph over Sligo Rovers at The Show grounds, on Saturday night. Dundalk boss, Stephen Kenny was delighted with the win and praised the persistence of his charges.
“It was a really good win for us in Sligo. The players were persistent to the end and managed to get the victory,” Kenny told dundalkfc.com.
As expected Kenny’s men are buoyantly looking forward to the trip to Tallaght, but the ex Hoops Boss insists that The Lilywhites are fully aware of the difficulty of the task that they will face on Monday night.
“It’s a quick turnaround and we don’t have much time but we’re all looking forward to Shamrock Rovers. It’s going to be a tough ask against Rovers. They’re a really good side and we know it’ll be difficult. This is a semi-final and it’s a big incentive for us,” Kenny explained.
The Louth side have been in just one final in the last dozen years, a burden that Kenny is hell bent on correcting.
“Dundalk have only been in one final in 12 years and we want to put that right,” exclaimed Kenny.
Dane Massey scored the winner in The Lilywhites defeat of Sligo on Saturday and the full-back insists that despite the minimal rest period between the two games, himself and his team mates will be ready for the challenge of The Hoops on Monday night.
“It’s going to be a really tough game for us, we know that but we’re really looking forward to it. It’s tough two games in three days but it’s a semi-final and we’ll be ready to go again,” Massey insisted.
The Lilywhites go into the game without Keith ward, who continues his recovery from his knee injury, while Mark Rossiter is also out with a hamstring injury. Richie Towell is a slight doubt with a hip injury, but Simon Kelly is available, as his suspension is exclusive to league matters.
Referee: Paul Tuite
MATCH STATS
Dundalk have won just once in the last ten meetings between themselves and The Hoops.
The Lilywhites have never scored against Rovers in The Setanta Sports Cup.
Peter Cherrie, Keith Ward and Marc Griffin are the only players left at Oriel Park that were involved in The 2011 Setanta Sports Cup Final against The Hoops, at Tallaght Stadium
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 8/11 Draw 12/4 Dundalk 15/4
PREDICTION
A 1-0 win for The Hoops.
Shamrock Rovers:
Injured: David O’Connor (Ankle), Shane Robinson (Bruised Foot), Stephen McPhail (Tendonitis)
Doubtful: Kieran Marty Waters (Calf)
Suspended: None.
Dundalk:
Injured: Keith Ward (Knee), Mark Rossiter (Hamstring)
Doubtful: Richie Towell (Hip)
Suspended: None.
About Josh Dolan
Josh Dolan is one of our Dublin based reporters, who also helps out with Extratime.ie’s administration tasks.
Josh, who was recommended to us by fellow reporters, joined the site as a teenager …