Shamrock Rovers -v- Lisburn Distillery
Mon, Mar 21 2011
Shamrock Rovers face Lisburn Distillery on Tuesday night in their first ever Setanta Cup game to be hosted at Tallaght Stadium. The Quarter Final, second leg tie should, on paper, be a comfortable enough assignment for Rovers who won 3-0 in the first leg thanks to goals from Karl Sheppard, Ciaran Kilduff and Dean Kelly. (Kick off, 7.45pm)
Rovers have made an excellent start to a season in which many have tipped them to win several trophies. Three wins from the their first three league games, all against teams that are expected to be among their rivals for the title, serves as proof of their strength even at this early stage.
Lisburn Distillery, meanwhile, are on the opposite side of the form table having lost their last three league games to leave them in mid table in the Carling Premiership.
The Hoops are in the enviable position of being able to rest several key players yet still be able to put out a strong side, such is their strength in depth. Having beaten Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 on Friday manager Michael O’Neill will no doubt make changes to his starting lineup. Nor is he short of options having added to his title winning side of 2010 with some astute recruits during the winter.
“Like last week, we’ll bring in some of the lads who didn’t play on Friday”, said O’Neill. “It’s a good opportunity for those players and I’ll be expecting them to take their chance and do well in the game.”
With a three goal cushion from the first leg the Hoops will be keen to progress to the semi’s and the bookies reflect the general confidence around Rovers these days by making them favorites to win the tournament at 7/4 (Paddy Power).
The Whites meanwhile can only cast a jealous eye at Rovers’ options, and will already be without Mark Cooling who was shown a red card in the first leg at the New Grosvenor Stadium. Their task of scoring three or potentially more goals looks daunting, with Rovers having conceded only one goal so far this season. Lisburn on the other hand have not scored in their last three games.
Top scorer Gary Browne will be the man they will look to for inspiration, having netted 10 goals this season so far, but only the most optimistic of Lisburn fans will expect their run in the tournament to extend beyond the quarter finals.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Craig Sives, Chris Turner (both hamstring).
Suspended: None.
Lisburn Distillery
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Mark Cooling.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 2/9, Draw 9/2, Lisburn 12/1.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Shamrock Rovers.
Rovers have made an excellent start to a season in which many have tipped them to win several trophies. Three wins from the their first three league games, all against teams that are expected to be among their rivals for the title, serves as proof of their strength even at this early stage.
Lisburn Distillery, meanwhile, are on the opposite side of the form table having lost their last three league games to leave them in mid table in the Carling Premiership.
The Hoops are in the enviable position of being able to rest several key players yet still be able to put out a strong side, such is their strength in depth. Having beaten Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 on Friday manager Michael O’Neill will no doubt make changes to his starting lineup. Nor is he short of options having added to his title winning side of 2010 with some astute recruits during the winter.
“Like last week, we’ll bring in some of the lads who didn’t play on Friday”, said O’Neill. “It’s a good opportunity for those players and I’ll be expecting them to take their chance and do well in the game.”
With a three goal cushion from the first leg the Hoops will be keen to progress to the semi’s and the bookies reflect the general confidence around Rovers these days by making them favorites to win the tournament at 7/4 (Paddy Power).
The Whites meanwhile can only cast a jealous eye at Rovers’ options, and will already be without Mark Cooling who was shown a red card in the first leg at the New Grosvenor Stadium. Their task of scoring three or potentially more goals looks daunting, with Rovers having conceded only one goal so far this season. Lisburn on the other hand have not scored in their last three games.
Top scorer Gary Browne will be the man they will look to for inspiration, having netted 10 goals this season so far, but only the most optimistic of Lisburn fans will expect their run in the tournament to extend beyond the quarter finals.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Craig Sives, Chris Turner (both hamstring).
Suspended: None.
Lisburn Distillery
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Mark Cooling.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 2/9, Draw 9/2, Lisburn 12/1.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Shamrock Rovers.