Rovers seek to turn the tide against Waterford
By Daire Walsh
SHAMROCK Rovers will seek to address a recent slump in form when they welcome Waterford to Tallaght Stadium tonight (kick-off 8pm) in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Since recording an eighth win on the bounce against Drogheda United on August 15, the Hoops have found wins hard to come by.
Following back-to-back reversals to FC Flora of Estonia in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Stephen Bradley’s men exited the FAI Cup at the hands of arch rivals Bohemians.
They then faced Finn Harps in Ballybofey intent on cementing their position as the pace-setters in the top-flight. However, the concession of a late goal to Tunde Owolabi saw the Tallaght outfit succumbing to a fourth straight defeat.
This is a surprising sequence of results for a side that have been so consistent over the last 18 months, but they remain in a good place for the visit of the Blues to their home patch.
Although the champions find themselves level on points with St Patrick’s Athletic, they have two games in hand and are still ahead of the Saints on goal difference.
Rovers last defended a league title under current Stoke City boss Michael O’Neill in 2011 and while St Pat’s are vastly-improved from the side that finished sixth in last year’s Premier Division, this remains a realistic prospect.
Despite having three different managers throughout 2020, Waterford ended the campaign in a respectable fifth. Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Sheedy was drafted in for the start of the current season, before making room for Marc Bircham in early May.
At the bottom of the table when he assumed the reins, the ex-Millwall and QPR star has significantly improved their fortunes in recent months. With a record of seven wins from 13 games, Waterford are now up to eighth in the league standings and outside of the relegation play-off spot.
Sheedy’s resignation from the Blues’ hot seat arrived two days after Rovers put them to the sword in Tallaght on May 3. Rory Gaffney, Gary O’Neill and Danny Mandroiu were all on target as the hosts claimed a 3-0 triumph.
Even though the Hoops have subsequently drafted in the likes of Richie Towell and Barry Cotter – as well as giving opportunities to some of the club’s young hopefuls – it is expected to be a much tougher assignment on this occasion.