Ezeikial
31/03/2011, 4:40 PM
FAI Previews:
Airtricity League Premier Division
St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians, Richmond Park (7.35pm – Live on RTE 2). Referee: Richie Winter
BOHEMIANS have been headline news this week with the uncertainty over the future of manager Pat Fenlon with the Gypsies.
The Saints produced a brilliant comeback victory against Dundalk last week and will look to secure a derby victory in front of the RTE cameras. St Pat’s are the highest scoring team in the Premier Division with eight goals in four games.
Assistant Manager John Gill will take charge of the Saints with Pete Mahon absent due to the death of his mother this week.
Team News:
Saints skipper Conor Kenna is out for six weeks with a knee injury. Brian Shortall (ankle) is out. Daryl Kavanagh and Ian Daly have recovered from hamstring and knee injuries respectively. Shane McFaul is expected to recover from concussion suffered against Dundalk.
Bohs striker Anto Flood is doubtful (calf) injury but Christy Fagan (hamstring strain) is expected to return. Long-term injuries Glenn Cronin and Chris O’Connor continue their recovery. Ger O’Brien returns from suspension.
Quotes:
Saints assistant manager John Gill: “We’re looking to bring the momentum of our second half performance last week into this game. We’ve been a little unlucky with injuries over the past couple of weeks and again we have two central defenders injured.
“The thoughts of all the staff and the players and everybody at the club are with Pete this week. It’s a very hard time for him, as it is for anybody who loses a parent, no matter what age they are.”
Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon said: “Going to St Pats the players know if they don’t perform they will be well beaten. It’s a tough place, Inchicore. It’s a tight ground and mistakes can lead to goals.
"Pats have been scoring plenty of goals. They have shown glimpses of being very good and glimpses, like ourselves, of needing still to work out what way they want to play.
"It’s been a hard week for everybody and we’ve just got to make sure that we stay focused on the game.”
Bray Wanderers v Derry City, Carlisle Grounds. Referee: Graham Kelly
BRAY WANDERERS will be looking to improve their poor league record against Derry City when the Candystripes come to the Carlisle Grounds.
These sides have met in the League on 41 occasions and the Seagulls have won just five times, with 13 games ending in draws while City ran out winners 23 times.
Wanderers secured a hard-earned victory over UCD in the league last Friday while Derry drew 0-0 with Champions Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell.
Team News:
Bray striker Gary Shaw broke his toe in Monday’s loss to Drogheda United in the EA SPORTS Cup while Dave Webster is suspended. Daire Doyle (hamstring) and Joe Kendrick (thigh) are doubts.
The Candystripes are without Barry Molloy (ankle ligaments) and Michael McCrudden (ribs) while
Patrick McEleney is ineligible.
Quotes:
Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin said: "We had to dig out a great result in difficult conditions last week but we did that and I am very happy. We will have to work really hard in this game but it’s something we will have to do all season to get points."
Derry City boss Stephen Kenny said: “Pat Devlin has assembled a good team this season. They have got off to a good start. I feel our performances to date have been good yet there is room for improvement and will be striving for that this time out.”
Dundalk v UCD, Oriel Park. Referee: Tom Connolly
DUNDALK FC will kick-off two special promotions for the upcoming visits of UCD and Cliftonville, with the meeting with the Students designated as a special Family Evening event planned as an advance celebration of Mother’s Day.
Free children’s tickets for U14s are being distributed through Primary Schools and from Oriel Park. Each free child must be accompanied by a paying adult, with an additional accompanying Mother admitted free of charge.
Dundalk FC have also introduced a special discounted ticket offer for the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final second leg tie with Cliftonville at Oriel Park on Monday 18 April. All tickets bought this week are available at €10 for either stand or ground, with U14s only €5.
The Students travel to Dundalk on the back of a 3-2 win away to Longford Town in the EA SPORTS Cup on Monday. UCD’s only Premier Division goal this term came on the opening day of the season against Drogheda United.
Team News:
Dundalk manager Ian Foster has lost midfielder Greg Bolger for at least six weeks with a thigh strain, while left-back Eoghan Osborne is out until July with a fractured tibia. Midfielder Stephen Maher is
Undergo surgery on torn groin muscles but may play through the pain in the short term. Dean Bennett
(hamstring strain) is a doubt. Students defender Sean Harding is ruled out through injury.
Quotes:
Dundalk boss Ian Foster: ““We’re always excited about playing UCD and we’re excited about playing at home and more importantly, the lads have a little bit of a bit between their teeth because they feel they let people down last Friday.
“There is no point in dwelling on it. You have to learn from it quickly. It is a good learning curve for the young players, although it is a difficult one to take. We all have to take responsibility for the last 30 minutes at Richmond Park.”
UCD manager Martin Russell said: “It was good for us to get three goals during the week and we played well, particularly in the first half.
“Dundalk have a much stronger squad this year, adding a bit more quality. It will be a good challenge for our lads and the fact is our squad is still learning.”
Drogheda Utd v Shamrock Rovers v, Hunky Dorys Park. Referee: Neil Doyle
DROGHEDA UNITED received a boost with their EA SPORTS Cup win over Bray Wanderers but they face a daunting task against the Champions, who have conceded just one league goal in their opening four fixtures.
The Hoops were held scoreless by Derry City at the Brandywell last Friday but have looked in dominant form so far this campaign.
Team News:
Experienced Drogheda defender Alan McNally returns to the squad from injury. Hoops defender Craig Sives remains out with a hamstring injury, while Chris Turner (calf) and Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring) will both face late fitness tests before the game.
Quotes:
Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke: “After Monday night I will have a few selection problems, the lads played very well and it's going to leave me with a few things to think about.
“Of course as a manager these are the kind of selection problems you would like to have. There are places up for grabs and the lads just have to prove to me that they want them.”
Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill: ““We’ve had back-to-back away games over the last couple of weeks, but we’re looking forward to the match. Drogheda had a good result in the EA Sports Cup during the week against Bray – a game I was at – so we’re expecting a tough outing.
“We also know that all the expectation is on us, but we’re confident that we can do what we need to do in the game and get a result.
“We were a bit disappointed in our performance in Derry last week. The players know that themselves, and they will be looking to rectify that against Drogheda.”
Galway Utd v Sligo Rovers, Terryland Park. Referee: Damien Hancock
AFTER the highs of their impressive league win over Bohemians last Friday, Galway suffered a bump on Monday night when they crashed out of the EA SPORTS Cup at the hands of Ulster Senior League side Cockhill Celtic.
Rovers head into the Connacht derby in good form after beating Drogheda United last Friday before securing a comfortable 3-0 win over Portadown in their Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final first leg on Monday.
Team News:
United midfielder Gary Curran will not face his former club after suffering a broken metatarsal against Cockhill Celtic which will sideline him for an estimated six weeks. Another ex-Sligo player Steve Feeney is a doubt as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Rovers continue to operate without Joseph Ndo (foot injury) while Derek Foran will bid to stay in the side after making his first appearance of the season in the Portadown game.
Quotes:
Galway United skipper Paul Sinnott said: "It's the first Connacht derby of the season, the whole squad is really looking forward to it. We're hoping to build on the result against Bohemians last Friday."
Sligo boss Paul Cook said: “We had some good performances the other night and players are starting to get sharper.
“But if we get through the game against Portadown, I think people would be horrified by our fixture list in April. We would have to play Shamrock Rovers twice, a host of Premier Division matches, an EA Sports Cup game and to be honest, we don’t have the biggest squad in the world.”
Airtricity League Premier Division
St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians, Richmond Park (7.35pm – Live on RTE 2). Referee: Richie Winter
BOHEMIANS have been headline news this week with the uncertainty over the future of manager Pat Fenlon with the Gypsies.
The Saints produced a brilliant comeback victory against Dundalk last week and will look to secure a derby victory in front of the RTE cameras. St Pat’s are the highest scoring team in the Premier Division with eight goals in four games.
Assistant Manager John Gill will take charge of the Saints with Pete Mahon absent due to the death of his mother this week.
Team News:
Saints skipper Conor Kenna is out for six weeks with a knee injury. Brian Shortall (ankle) is out. Daryl Kavanagh and Ian Daly have recovered from hamstring and knee injuries respectively. Shane McFaul is expected to recover from concussion suffered against Dundalk.
Bohs striker Anto Flood is doubtful (calf) injury but Christy Fagan (hamstring strain) is expected to return. Long-term injuries Glenn Cronin and Chris O’Connor continue their recovery. Ger O’Brien returns from suspension.
Quotes:
Saints assistant manager John Gill: “We’re looking to bring the momentum of our second half performance last week into this game. We’ve been a little unlucky with injuries over the past couple of weeks and again we have two central defenders injured.
“The thoughts of all the staff and the players and everybody at the club are with Pete this week. It’s a very hard time for him, as it is for anybody who loses a parent, no matter what age they are.”
Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon said: “Going to St Pats the players know if they don’t perform they will be well beaten. It’s a tough place, Inchicore. It’s a tight ground and mistakes can lead to goals.
"Pats have been scoring plenty of goals. They have shown glimpses of being very good and glimpses, like ourselves, of needing still to work out what way they want to play.
"It’s been a hard week for everybody and we’ve just got to make sure that we stay focused on the game.”
Bray Wanderers v Derry City, Carlisle Grounds. Referee: Graham Kelly
BRAY WANDERERS will be looking to improve their poor league record against Derry City when the Candystripes come to the Carlisle Grounds.
These sides have met in the League on 41 occasions and the Seagulls have won just five times, with 13 games ending in draws while City ran out winners 23 times.
Wanderers secured a hard-earned victory over UCD in the league last Friday while Derry drew 0-0 with Champions Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell.
Team News:
Bray striker Gary Shaw broke his toe in Monday’s loss to Drogheda United in the EA SPORTS Cup while Dave Webster is suspended. Daire Doyle (hamstring) and Joe Kendrick (thigh) are doubts.
The Candystripes are without Barry Molloy (ankle ligaments) and Michael McCrudden (ribs) while
Patrick McEleney is ineligible.
Quotes:
Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin said: "We had to dig out a great result in difficult conditions last week but we did that and I am very happy. We will have to work really hard in this game but it’s something we will have to do all season to get points."
Derry City boss Stephen Kenny said: “Pat Devlin has assembled a good team this season. They have got off to a good start. I feel our performances to date have been good yet there is room for improvement and will be striving for that this time out.”
Dundalk v UCD, Oriel Park. Referee: Tom Connolly
DUNDALK FC will kick-off two special promotions for the upcoming visits of UCD and Cliftonville, with the meeting with the Students designated as a special Family Evening event planned as an advance celebration of Mother’s Day.
Free children’s tickets for U14s are being distributed through Primary Schools and from Oriel Park. Each free child must be accompanied by a paying adult, with an additional accompanying Mother admitted free of charge.
Dundalk FC have also introduced a special discounted ticket offer for the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final second leg tie with Cliftonville at Oriel Park on Monday 18 April. All tickets bought this week are available at €10 for either stand or ground, with U14s only €5.
The Students travel to Dundalk on the back of a 3-2 win away to Longford Town in the EA SPORTS Cup on Monday. UCD’s only Premier Division goal this term came on the opening day of the season against Drogheda United.
Team News:
Dundalk manager Ian Foster has lost midfielder Greg Bolger for at least six weeks with a thigh strain, while left-back Eoghan Osborne is out until July with a fractured tibia. Midfielder Stephen Maher is
Undergo surgery on torn groin muscles but may play through the pain in the short term. Dean Bennett
(hamstring strain) is a doubt. Students defender Sean Harding is ruled out through injury.
Quotes:
Dundalk boss Ian Foster: ““We’re always excited about playing UCD and we’re excited about playing at home and more importantly, the lads have a little bit of a bit between their teeth because they feel they let people down last Friday.
“There is no point in dwelling on it. You have to learn from it quickly. It is a good learning curve for the young players, although it is a difficult one to take. We all have to take responsibility for the last 30 minutes at Richmond Park.”
UCD manager Martin Russell said: “It was good for us to get three goals during the week and we played well, particularly in the first half.
“Dundalk have a much stronger squad this year, adding a bit more quality. It will be a good challenge for our lads and the fact is our squad is still learning.”
Drogheda Utd v Shamrock Rovers v, Hunky Dorys Park. Referee: Neil Doyle
DROGHEDA UNITED received a boost with their EA SPORTS Cup win over Bray Wanderers but they face a daunting task against the Champions, who have conceded just one league goal in their opening four fixtures.
The Hoops were held scoreless by Derry City at the Brandywell last Friday but have looked in dominant form so far this campaign.
Team News:
Experienced Drogheda defender Alan McNally returns to the squad from injury. Hoops defender Craig Sives remains out with a hamstring injury, while Chris Turner (calf) and Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring) will both face late fitness tests before the game.
Quotes:
Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke: “After Monday night I will have a few selection problems, the lads played very well and it's going to leave me with a few things to think about.
“Of course as a manager these are the kind of selection problems you would like to have. There are places up for grabs and the lads just have to prove to me that they want them.”
Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill: ““We’ve had back-to-back away games over the last couple of weeks, but we’re looking forward to the match. Drogheda had a good result in the EA Sports Cup during the week against Bray – a game I was at – so we’re expecting a tough outing.
“We also know that all the expectation is on us, but we’re confident that we can do what we need to do in the game and get a result.
“We were a bit disappointed in our performance in Derry last week. The players know that themselves, and they will be looking to rectify that against Drogheda.”
Galway Utd v Sligo Rovers, Terryland Park. Referee: Damien Hancock
AFTER the highs of their impressive league win over Bohemians last Friday, Galway suffered a bump on Monday night when they crashed out of the EA SPORTS Cup at the hands of Ulster Senior League side Cockhill Celtic.
Rovers head into the Connacht derby in good form after beating Drogheda United last Friday before securing a comfortable 3-0 win over Portadown in their Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final first leg on Monday.
Team News:
United midfielder Gary Curran will not face his former club after suffering a broken metatarsal against Cockhill Celtic which will sideline him for an estimated six weeks. Another ex-Sligo player Steve Feeney is a doubt as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Rovers continue to operate without Joseph Ndo (foot injury) while Derek Foran will bid to stay in the side after making his first appearance of the season in the Portadown game.
Quotes:
Galway United skipper Paul Sinnott said: "It's the first Connacht derby of the season, the whole squad is really looking forward to it. We're hoping to build on the result against Bohemians last Friday."
Sligo boss Paul Cook said: “We had some good performances the other night and players are starting to get sharper.
“But if we get through the game against Portadown, I think people would be horrified by our fixture list in April. We would have to play Shamrock Rovers twice, a host of Premier Division matches, an EA Sports Cup game and to be honest, we don’t have the biggest squad in the world.”