Rovers aim to strengthen hold on top spot at expense of Bit O’Red
By Daire Walsh
SHAMROCK Rovers will aim to strengthen their grip on top spot in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table when they face Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
Having had a couple of games in hand for several weeks, Stephen Bradley’s men will finally get a chance to play one of their back fixtures in the north-west venue.
Despite not seeing as much action in the league, the Hoops find themselves three points clear of Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.
The Saints will be on FAI Cup duty on Friday against Wexford and, therefore, this is a perfect opportunity for Rovers to widen the gap that already exists between the two sides. Nevertheless, they will be wary of the challenge that Sligo are expected to pose.
Currently third in the top-flight, the Bit O’Red have played some excellent football this term under the guidance of Perrystown native Liam Buckley.
He got one over on his old club St Pat’s last Friday and is seeking to do the same this weekend.
The former Republic of Ireland international had two different spells at Rovers as a player, winning a league title and a Dublin City Cup with the club during the 1983-84 season. In the two campaigns previous to that, he was named Shamrock Rovers Player of the Year.
He also managed the Hoops from 2002 to 2004, bringing them to an FAI Cup final in his first season in charge.
When his Sligo side faced the title holders in Tallaght back on May 24, a Romeo Parkes goal helped the visitors to secure a 1-0 win.
They had been on course for a similar result at the Showgrounds on April 10, only for Rory Gaffney to pop up with a late equaliser.
Deadlocked against Waterford last Friday at the Tallaght Stadium with an hour gone on the clock, Danny Mandroiu came up with a brace of goals to get Shamrock Rovers over the line.
A number of players – such as the aforementioned Gaffney, Aaron Greene and the now-departed Liam Scales – have been able to serve up goals when it matters most in the concluding stages of many games this year.
Given how difficult Sligo are to play against in their own back yard, it may well take something of a similar nature to get Rovers the three points they crave on Saturday.