Home sweet home as Rovers to host Sligo

HOME at last. It might be more deep south than southside but when Shamrock Rovers take to the pitch in the Tallaght Stadium this evening (kick off 8.05pm, all other games 7.45pm) it will finally bring to an end 22 years a-wanderin’ since they played their last game at Milltown before the wrecking ball put paid to the rich history of one of Irish football’s most cherished grounds.

Appropriately, Sligo Rovers, in 1987 the last visitors to Glenmalure Park, are the first visitors to Tallaght, amid the kind of hype and hoop(s)la that recalls another sort of homecoming, when the famous Dublin club returned south of the river to play at the RDS in 1990.

With post-Italia ‘90 football mania still rampant, 25,000 people turned up for Rovers’ opening game against St Pat’s that day.

Massive crowds have long-since deserted the League of Ireland but, crucially, with the purpose-built Tallaght Stadium, Rovers finally have a permanent home of their own. And even if, for now, capacity is restricted to just over 3,000 — due to be doubled with the building of a second stand in the summer — such has been the demand to be a part of a momentous occasion that a happily harassed official this week quipped that it felt at times as if at least another 25,000 were looking for tickets for tonight’s game.

As it is, the match is a sell-out, although RTÉ cameras will be there to relay proceedings to those looking in from afar. Against a backdrop of hope and expectation, Hoops manager Michael O’Neill will do well to remind his team that they will need to play the match, not the occasion.

“All the focus in the media this week has been on the opening of Tallaght Stadium,” he notes, “but for the players and the management team it’s been about the game.”

Both sides have a point each on the board after the opening games of the campaign, Sligo having grabbed a late equaliser against Cork City while Rovers played out a scoreless draw in Bray. And while there might be a nice historical symmetry about Sligo providing the opposition tonight, the hosts will know that Paul Cook’s team are capable of being party-poopers.

Says Rovers skipper Shane Robinson: “They’re in Europe, they haven’t lost many players, they’re full-time and have been for the last year or two, so they’re a decent side. They’ll be a big test.”

Nevertheless, returning Hoops favourite Robinson — five years at the club before departing for Drogheda United — understands the anticipation going into tonight’s game.

“It’ll be a great day to be going out in Tallaght because it’s something that I wanted to do five years ago,” he says. “The support out in Bray last week was great. You don’t get that at any other club. Hopefully we can put on a show every time we go to Tallaght — and play positive football.”

With gates opening at 6.30pm, Rovers have appealed to fans to come early and enjoy the pre-match atmosphere.

There are a couple of other mouth-watering match-ups tonight, with Cork City at home to St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians and Derry meeting at Dalymount Park.

Cork’s only absentee is newly arrived midfielder Stephen O’Donnell who came off early in last week’s draw at the Showgrounds with a knee injury. Says City boss Paul Doolin: “As yet we do not know how long Stephen will be out for, but it is a huge blow for us to lose a player of his quality so soon into the season. St Pat’s will be difficult opponents and while Galway got a great result against them, they have a new manager and new players who will be eager to bounce back.”

Saints’ boss Jeff Kenna has faith that his side can take something from this weekend and build towards a title challenge. Says Kenna: “It won’t be easy going to Turner’s Cross but we believe in ourselves, we have good players here and still believe that we can be challenging at the top of the table.” Pats’ injury worries continue with Brendan Clarke (foot), Steven Maher, Bobby Ryan and Glen Fitzpatrick (all knee) still out while last season’s top scorer Mark Quigley will have a fitness test today. Gary Dempsey is suspended but Jamie Harris and Dave Partridge return after serving one match bans.

Meanwhile, the two teams who brought last season to a close with a thrilling cup final do battle again in Dublin tonight. For Derry City, Liam Kearney returns after missing the 1-0 win over Drogheda with a thigh strain but Kevin Deery is out injured and Clive Delaney is suspended. Veteran captain Peter Hutton says he’s “counting his blessings” having emerged relatively unscathed from a serious road accident this week. Hutton is expected to start tonight.

Having started off the defence of their title with a narrow 1-0 win away to Dundalk, Bohs manager Pat Fenlon expects an even tougher test tonight.

“There are three or four teams who have a shout and Derry City are among that group,” he says. “Last season I felt that we were the two best sides in the league. I expect Derry to be among the front runners”.

Bohs will be without Brian Shelley and Glenn Cronin but fit-again striker Jason Byrne is back in contention.

Unlikely early leaders Galway, having shocked Pats in Inchicore, will be hoping to avoid a comedown when they host Dundalk at Terryland Park, while Drogheda United are at home to Bray Wanderers.