Rovers to tighten hold on top spot
By Daire Walsh
HAVING moved four points clear at the summit of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table, defending champions Shamrock Rovers will look to strengthen their hold on top spot in the next few days.
Later tonight at Belfield, basement side UCD will play host to the Hoops at 7.45pm and it will be the same kick-off time for Stephen Bradley’s men next Monday when they make the trip up the M1 to face Drogheda United at Head In The Game Park.
Having trailed Derry City in the Premier Division standings for a number of weeks, Rovers had edged just ahead of the Candystripes in advance of their league meeting at Tallaght last Friday.
In a ferociously-contested affair, substitute Danny Mandroiu struck a 79th minute goal to guide the hosts towards a crucial 1-0 win.
This was the former Bohemians attacker’s sixth goal of the campaign to date and despite having two defeats to their name in the 2022 league, the Hoops are now on an unbeaten run of 12 games.
It would come as a major shock if they didn’t extend this sequence of results this evening, with 28 points and nine places currently separating Rovers and UCD in the top-tier table.
The college men have recorded just one competitive victory thus far in the calendar year and Rovers comfortably overcame them on a 3-0 scoreline in Tallaght on the opening day of the season.
The Hoops have four ex-UCD stars within their ranks – club captain Ronan Finn, Dylan Watts, Neill Farugia and Gary O’Neill, all of whom will be itching to see game time.