Hoops hungry to cement to spot at the expense of Candystripes
By Daire Walsh
HAVING reclaimed top spot at the beginning of the week, Shamrock Rovers will now look to cement that very position in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division standings when Derry City pay a visit to Tallaght Stadium tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Thanks to a 3-1 victory against Sligo Rovers on Monday evening – the same day that Derry played out a scoreless draw with St Patrick’s Athletic on home soil – the Hoops currently lead the Candystripes by a single point in the top-flight table.
A hat-trick from substitute Graham Burke propelled Stephen Bradley’s men towards a hard-earned win at the expense of Sligo.
Managed by Perrystown native Liam Buckley, the Bit O’Red had already secured two draws against Shamrock Rovers this season and appeared to be well on their way towards a third as the deadlock remained unbroken at the interval. Speaking to the media in the aftermath of the game, Rovers boss Bradley, who has pledged his future to the club despite interest in his services from Lincoln City, admitted he wasn’t pleased with the performance delivered by his side during the opening period.
The Jobstown man had made seven changes to his starting line-up from the previous Friday’s 3-1 success over Finn Harps at the same venue, but wasn’t shy about making alterations over the course of Monday’s tie.
The aforementioned Burke, Rory Gaffney, Chris McCann and Andy Lyons were all introduced at the start of the second half and this galvanised the Hoops’ challenge.
Aside from Burke’s goalscoring heroics, Gaffney brought a different edge to the home team’s attack while McCann and Lyons also played their part as Rovers ultimately claimed the maximum points on offer.
This quartet (as well as Inchicore’s Richie Towell, introduced as a fifth substitute with 15 minutes remaining) could be in line to feature from the start against Derry.
A big squad effort will certainly be needed from Rovers tomorrow as, despite failing to break down St Pat’s on Monday, the northerners are more than capable of coming away from Tallaght with a positive result.
After all, Derry had the measure of their Metropolitan counterparts when the two sides met at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on February 25.
Indeed, the Hoops had looked set to return home with a share of the spoils after Will Patching and Rovers midfielder Dylan Watts had traded scores.
That was until Jamie McGonigle pounced in the 94th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 triumph for his side.
The Hoops also lost to Pat’s a week later, but have gone on an unbeaten run since that point.
Over the course of 11 games, Bradley’s troops have recorded eight wins and three draws to seriously bolster their quest for a third consecutive league title.
Of course, there are expected to be many twists and turns before the Premier Division finally reaches a conclusion in early November.
Nonetheless, there is always excitement ahead of a top-of-the-table clash and tomorrow’s game is one that will hopefully live up to its billing.