Airtricity League Previews
(All fixtures 7.45pm unless stated)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Airtricity League Premier Division
Bohemians v Galway Utd, Dalymount Park. Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)
FORMER Bohemians boss Sean Connor returns to Dalymount Park with Galway United. The Tribesmen will be facing one of their former charges in Anto Flood, who has made an impressive start to his career with Bohs since signing for Pat Fenlon’s side in the transfer window.
Despite having a much-changed squad from last term, Fenlon has led his side to two wins and a draw in their opening three league games.
Team News:
Anto Flood (calf) and Christy Fagan (hamstring) face late fitness tests. Long-term injuries Chris O’Connor and Glen Cronin continue their recovery. Ger O'Brien is suspended.
Galway will be without Steve Feeney who awaits the results of a second x-ray to reveal the extent of a leg injury suffered against UCD last week. Shaun Kelly returns from tonsillitis. Namesake Sean Kelly is out through suspension.
Quotes:
Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon: “Sean Connor is in a similar situation to us, working with new players and trying to get them to gel as a team. But any team we have played against with Sean as manager has never been an easy game.
“Normally you’re having to cope with four or five new players coming in. It’s difficult when you have a much bigger number of new players, and so many younger ones. But they seem to be gelling well.”
Galway manager Sean Connor: "Bohemians' budget is vastly reduced, but it's still seven or eight grand, that's three or three and a half times what we have and they still have some very good experienced players.
"Anto Flood, a player we lost in July, terrific, had a great six months with us last year scored goals, excellent player, a great asset to any team and I'd love to have Anto Flood in my team right now."
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers, The Brandywell. Referee: Richie Winter (Wicklow)
PREMIER DIVISION Champions Shamrock Rovers face a real test to their 100 per cent successful start to the season when they face First Division Champions Derry City at the Brandywell.
The Candystripes have four points from their opening three games but Stephen Kenny’s exciting young side will fancy their chances of halting Michael O’Neill’s Hoops in their tracks.
Team News:
Ruaidhri Higgins (calf strain), Stewart Greacen (hand injury) are the only injury worries for the Candystripes. Dean Kelly is a doubt for Rovers with a calf problem. Craig Sives is also likely to be ruled out again, with a hamstring injury.
Quotes:
Derry City manager Stephen Kenny: “We just have to make sure that defensively we're good because Rovers have good attacking options and good intelligence in Gary Twigg and Gary O’Neill. We have some good players ourselves.”
Derry City Goalkeeper Gerard Doherty: “Playing the Premier Division champions is a massive game for the club. But I’m certain we have what it takes to inflict the first defeat of the campaign on Rovers.”
Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill: “This game is another big test for us, against another of the favoured teams in the division. The Brandywell is always a tough place to go and we expect it to be no different this time. I think they have a nice mix of youth and experience in their squad.
“Having said that, out of the three games we have played up there since I came to the club, we have won two and drew one, so that’s not a bad record. We’ll be hoping to continue that this time around.”
St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk, Richmond Park. Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
DUNDALK travel to Richmond Park on the back of an impressive run in the Setanta Sports Cup, having eliminated Glentoran on Monday.
Ian Foster’s side have a poor record against the Saints with just one win in their last ten meetings between the clubs – although that came at Richmond Park last September.
Team News:
St Pat’s are without Conor Kenna (knee) while Brian Shortall (ankle) is rated extremely doubtful. Ian Daly and Daryl Kavanagh miss out with hip and hamstring injuries respectively while Danny North is also a concern. Paul Crowley is in line to make his league debut for the having missed the first three games of the season through suspension and illness.
Dundalk are without suspended Dean Bennett and Eoghan Osborne (hamstring) while Shane Guthrie is ineligible but Michael Hector returns following a three-match ban.
Quotes:
Pete Mahon, St Patrick’s Athletic boss: “It’s obviously going to be a difficult game against Dundalk particularly with the injury problems we have. They’ve had a great start to the season as they did last season and unlike last season we haven’t.
“The games between the two sides last year were spicy affairs but without any malice and I would expect more of the same tomorrow. It will be a tough game for us but it will also be a tough game for them.”
Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie: “The league is our bread and butter so that is what we have got to look forward to first and foremost. Then when it comes to the cup games, the boys have got to knuckle down and work hard if they want to go far. We want to go and win the Setanta Cup. But St Pat’s is our focus now.
“We know St Pat’s are a good team. We have got to keep it tight at the back and hopefully our midfield and forwards can come up with the goods and score goals.”
Sligo Rovers v Drogheda Utd, The Showgrounds. Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)
DROGHEDA UNITED head to Sligo Rovers in buoyant mood after their comeback draw with Derry City last week.
Rovers are considered one of the main title contenders in 2011 but one goal in their opening three games has left Paul Cook’s side with just four points from a possible nine.
Team News:
Sligo Rovers are without Joesph Ndo and Daryl Horgan. Ndo is still recovering from a foot injury and Horgan is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under-19 side in Cyprus this week.
Alan McNally is a doubt for Drogheda having picked up a knock in training. Goalkeeper David Quirke has recovered from a groin complaint.
Quotes:
Sligo Rovers player Raffaele Cretaro: “It is very important to win home games. You want to win your home games and make it a fortress really. I think that has always been the case with Rovers.
“No team has ever liked coming down here trying to get a result. Hopefully we can get our first one on Friday. We’re creating chances but we’re not taking them. We lost to Shamrock Rovers but I think we had enough chances to win the game.”
Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke: “Going to Sligo is never easy, they are arguably one of the best sides in the division right now. However we are capable of getting a result.
“Coming from two goals down in the manner which we did against Derry has put a lot of confidence into the squad. We didn't just revert to the long ball when we went behind, we played well and fought our way back in.”
UCD v Bray Wanderers, Belfield Bowl. Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)
BRAY WANDERERS travel to neighbours UCD knowing they have failed to keep a clean sheet against the Students in the last 18 encounters between the sides in all competitions.
UCD unbeaten at home to Bray in the last 12 League meetings between the sides and Bray's last league win at Belfield was in 2001.
Team News:
UCD must plan without injured Cillian Morrison while Robbie Benson is a doubt. Bray are missing Conor Murphy, who is away on duty with Irish under-19's. Colm Tresson (calf) and Gary Shaw (ankle) are also out through injury while Shane O' Neill (illness) is doubtful.
Quotes:
UCD manager Martin Russell: “We will have a similar squad to the one that travelled to Galway. We are looking to build on a decent start to the season and we will as always try to play well and hopefully get more points on the board.
“Bray have started well, continuing the momentum from the end of last season. I have confidence in our group that we have the ability and attitude to be able to do get the three points. It will undoubtedly be a good game.”
Bray Wanderers Director of Football Pat Devlin: “UCD and Bray have an unbelievable history and it’s always difficult to call. It’s all down to what happens on the night – always tough and very unpredictable.”
Quote
Originally Posted by Town Legend
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