Hoops hungry to bounce back against Sligo
By Daire Walsh
CHAMPIONS Shamrock Rovers will be looking to return to winning ways in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tomorrow night when Sligo Rovers arrive at Tallaght Stadium for a potentially enthralling affair (kick-off 8pm).
Despite having lost out to Dundalk in Oriel Park on Friday, the Hoops are still nine points clear of St Patrick’s Athletic at the summit of the table and will be hoping to end the current campaign in fine style.
They will be facing a Sligo side that were in contention for top honours during the opening half of the season. The Bit O’Red may have slipped well behind their namesakes in recent weeks, but remain on course for a commendable third-place finish and a spot in next year’s Europa Conference League.
Managed by Perrystown native Liam Buckley, the north-westerners had the measure of the Hoops when the sides met in Tallaght back on May 24.
On the other hand, the league leaders earned a 1-1 draw with Sligo at The Showgrounds a month earlier and secured a hard-earned 1-0 win in the same venue on September 18.
Rory Gaffney was on target in both of these games and has been one of Rovers’ best performers to date in 2021. Although former Sligo star Aaron Greene was given the nod instead of him six days ago, it is anticipated Gaffney will be restored to the starting line-up on this occasion.
In order to claim back-to-back Premier Division titles – a feat they last achieved under Michael O’Neill 10 years ago – the Hoops require only 13 points from their remaining seven games.
Bradley’s troops could find themselves a couple of steps closer to further silverware in the next few days as Bohemians will also be touching down in Tallaght this coming Monday (kick-off 7.15pm).
Given their arch rivals knocked them out of the FAI Cup in the second round at the end of August, Rovers’ motivation will be two-fold for this mouthwatering league clash.