Rovers staring plight of relegation straight in the face
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=13308
FANS of Shamrock Rovers can reminisce about many great achievements in the club's history. From facing the Busby Babes in front of 46,000 patrons in the '50s to three consecutive league and cup doubles in the 1980s, the older worshippers have seen their share of good times.
Unfortunately for younger brethren, frustration and pain have defined their occupation as fans of the Hoops.
They have been followers of a homeless, moneyless and now managerless team and it could get a whole lot worse this week as the ultimate agony - relegation from the Premier Division - looms large.
In a season that has been dogged by controversy, they face a two-legged play-off against Dublin City that begins tonight at Dalymount Park (7.45) to try and avoid the drop, a horror which has never been realised in the club's illustrious history.
The year had begun with hope as Roddy Collins assembled a team that he thought could challenge in the league. The eleven that faced Bohemians on the opening day contained talented players such as Pat McCourt, Jason Gavin and Stephen Gough.
A draw was salvaged from the game with a late equaliser but fortunes did not improve through the early exchanges. That was only a prelude to what would beset the club as the season progressed, though.
Irregularities in the application for a UEFA club licence had veiled a far greater debt than was first declared. Liquidation was narrowly avoided but the result of the supporter-driven 400 Club and Ray Wilson coming on board was a seriously condensed budget.
None of the players mentioned above are now at the club and, even worse, they are now plying their trade at rival clubs in the division. Of the squad of 18 that took to the field at Dalymount only six are still around. But the greatest hammer blow has been the eight points deducted as a result of the investigation into the licensing fiasco. Collins is now on an enforced 'temporary leave of absence' and life is not becoming any easier. Again, true fans of the club have come in to help. Alan O'Neill and Noel Synnott, both former coaches, are doing everything they can in such a short space of time, to get Rovers through the play-off.
O'Neill was encouraged by what he saw on Friday night against UCD. Younger players such a Cathal Sweetman and Cathal O'Connor showed that they are up for the challenge. O'Connor, who played with Dublin City last year, scored twice in the game and he has given O'Neill his first selection headache.
Mark Quigley is struggling with a twisted ankle and O'Connor may get a chance again on the right wing having been out of favour lately.
Suspensions that have hampered an already depleted squad over the recent past have now been served and O'Neill will have all his senior players back.
If Rovers fail, ironically, it will be a stalwart of the great team assembled by Jim McLaughlin back in the days of perms and paisley shirts, Dermot Keely, who will mastermind the unthinkable.
His Dublin City side are high on confidence at present, having scored 15 goals in their last five games in the First Division. The step up in standard to the Premier is unquestioned but with the hope of a full squad being available Keely can look forward.
With the 400 Club and Wilson in place Rovers can do likewise, but whether it is from the Premier or First Division will be decided over the coming days.
GALWAY UNITED'S strong finish to the Eircom League First Division season has earned manager Stephen Lally a new one year contract.
DUNDALK could have a new manager following tonight's Board meeting after directors held a series of meetings with several candidates over the past few days.
SHELBOURNE have released Glenn Fitzpatrick, Curtis Fleming, Kevin Doherty, Alan Cawley, Ger Rowe, Derek Pender and Hussain Yazdani
