O’Neill: Tallaght factor vital
“We will have one of our biggest crowds of the season and we have to use the fact that the game is in Tallaght,” said Hoops boss Michael O’Neill.
“Last Sunday’s 2-1 win away to Bray Wanderers was a massive result for us and we have to build on that. By my reckoning we need to win two of our last three games — but one of those must be against Derry.”
Rovers’ two other final league games are away to UCD at the Belfield Bowl on October 24 and home to bottom side Galway United on October 28.
The Dublin side are currently one point clear of Sligo Rovers but have tonight’s match in hand. Derry are currently five points adrift of the Hoops but after tonight still have three matches to play. The Brandywell men have recorded two draws and one win in the three league games with Rovers this season so they will not be lacking confidence.
O’Neill will assess the fitness of defender Enda Stevens after being on international U21 duty earlier this week. Striker Gary O’Neill is doubtful with a calf injury while midfielder Dean Kelly is a long-term absentee. That means Karl Sheppard, the two-goal hero against Bray, will again partner Gary Twigg in attack.
Derry boss Stephen Kenny was delighted with his side’s 2-0 win against Dundalk on Saturday — not to mention Sligo Rovers’ defeat to St Pat’s later that evening.
And while he is looking forward to the trip to Tallaght, he also believes his squad can rise to the occasions given previous experiences in high-profile matches.
“Our young players continue to mature and we have a number of match-winners in the team, none more so than Patrick McEleney, who finished the First Division in great style last season when netting no fewer than five goals in the final three matches,” noted Kenny.
McEleney, who celebrated his 19th birthday last week, exhibited a hard-working performance at Oriel Park but Kenny believes the teenager is capable or more.
“For one so young, Patrick can certainly rise to the big occasions and that’s a great quality to have. He did it in Dalymount Park this season and while he hasn’t set the world alight with his goals tally this year, I’m confident that he’s one player who can turn this game in our favour,” said Kenny. “I’ve every faith that he will cause Shamrock Rovers their fair share of problems.”
Kenny refused to get involved in talk about winning the league. “Our total focus is now centred on the Rovers game,” he said.
“We’ve played them three times this season and have yet to face defeat with a scoreless result in the Brandywell, a 1-1 result in Tallaght before defeating them 1-0 in our last meeting at home.”
Derry will plan without the services of Eddie McCallion and Owen Morrison, both ruled out by calf injuries while there will be a late fitness test for Ryan McBride (groin).
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