Preview: Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United

Friday 12th October 2007, 1:50 am

Barry Ferguson is out through suspension.

Photo by Tom Carey.

12th October 2007

eircom League of Ireland Premier Division

Shamrock Rovers
v
Drogheda United

Venue : Tolka Park

Referee : Alan Kelly

Live on RTE 2

Kick-off : 7:55 PM

Shamrock Rovers host League of Ireland leaders Drogheda United at Tolka Park on Friday night. The Drogs are eleven points of the team that were second in the table until Monday night. Although well clear at the top Paul Doolin's side know that this game followed by a home match against Cork City could either wrap up the title or throw it wide open again.

Rovers are third going into the game but having lost their last two games are in a much less comfortable position in third - level on points with St. Pats and only three points ahead of Bohemians.

Although there was much talk of crisis when the Drogs dropped a number of points recently, they have lost just one of their last seventeen league games. They are one of only two teams to beat Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park this season and boast by the far the best away record in the top flight - having lost just one of fourteen league games away from United Park.

Rovers though still retain a great home record and having conceded just four goals in thirteen home games shows how hard they can be to break down. Drogheda indeed scored two of those four goals when the sides met in Drumcondra in late April. Since then Rovers beat the Drogs twice - a 3-0 League Cup win when Drogheda put out a side comprised of players almost entirely under twenty and a 2-0 win in the league in May. Both of those wins came at United Park suggesting that home advantage counts for little when these two sides meet.

Pat Scully said ahead of the game, "Although we're missing a few players we will be looking for a win against Drogheda United to turn things around after the disappointing results of the last few weeks."

Despite conceding the League of Ireland title, Scully still expects his side to end the season as they have played throughout, "It's been a disappointing few weeks for us so it's important that we get a win against Drogheda - and if we play as well as I know we can, we can come away with three points. But as well as performing we have to get results. Moral victories don't exist at Shamrock Rovers and I wouldn't have it any other way. We want to win."

"Our title aspirations may be over for this season but we still want to finish as high as possible in the table. With five games to go we've still got an awful lot to play for", added Scully.

Team news

Shamrock Rovers

Barry Murphy and Paul Shiels return from one game bans. Barry Ferguson though is suspended.

Aidan Price and Padraig Amond remain out for the rest of the season while John Martin could also miss the rest of the year with an abductor injury.

Drogheda United

Aside from long term absentees Declan O'Brien and Shane Barrett, Drogheda should have everyone to call on with Paul Doolin's biggest problem seeming to be, who should he leave out.

Aidan O'Keefe rejoins the squad after suspension.