sligoman
22/04/2005, 11:00 PM
Rovers welcome back Stephen O'Donnell after a stint with UN forces in Kosovo, and with Paul McTiernan to the fold this week, and Liam Burns available again, there's plenty of selection headaches for manager Sean Connor in advance of the Monaghan game on Saturday night.
Monaghan, a team who lost twenty times last season, are not only building up a range of impressive facilities off the field, they're proving that they mean business on the pitch with a string of impressive displays that has only been blighted with one defeat in their opening six matches.
If an indication of how hard Monaghan are to break down were needed, you only have to look at their record. Unbeaten since an away defeat ot Galway in the opening game of the season, they've beaten Kildare in Newbridge and drawn their remaining games, so Sean Connor knows that he is facing a tough task to secure three points on Saturday night.
"Monaghan have shown that they're hard to beat. They'll be getting behind the ball, defending deep and looking for a point at least. We have got to counter that and it's up to us to take the initiative from the start," commented the manager.
With O'Donnell and McTiernan returning, it's looking brighter on the striking front also.
"I said when Stephen went off, that his return would be like a new signing. And with Paul coming back also, we've more options now up front. I'll be monitoring both players fitness levels and we'll take it from there.
"Conor O'Grady is still carrying a knock whilst Michael McNamara and Gerry Carr picked up injuries in Cobh, so we'll be monitoring things between now and Saturday night," he added.
Kick-off against Monaghan in The Showgrounds on Saturday night is 7.30 pm.
http://www.sligorovers.com/news/news_reports/2005/20050420_pre%20monaghan.htm
Monaghan, a team who lost twenty times last season, are not only building up a range of impressive facilities off the field, they're proving that they mean business on the pitch with a string of impressive displays that has only been blighted with one defeat in their opening six matches.
If an indication of how hard Monaghan are to break down were needed, you only have to look at their record. Unbeaten since an away defeat ot Galway in the opening game of the season, they've beaten Kildare in Newbridge and drawn their remaining games, so Sean Connor knows that he is facing a tough task to secure three points on Saturday night.
"Monaghan have shown that they're hard to beat. They'll be getting behind the ball, defending deep and looking for a point at least. We have got to counter that and it's up to us to take the initiative from the start," commented the manager.
With O'Donnell and McTiernan returning, it's looking brighter on the striking front also.
"I said when Stephen went off, that his return would be like a new signing. And with Paul coming back also, we've more options now up front. I'll be monitoring both players fitness levels and we'll take it from there.
"Conor O'Grady is still carrying a knock whilst Michael McNamara and Gerry Carr picked up injuries in Cobh, so we'll be monitoring things between now and Saturday night," he added.
Kick-off against Monaghan in The Showgrounds on Saturday night is 7.30 pm.
http://www.sligorovers.com/news/news_reports/2005/20050420_pre%20monaghan.htm