Rovers determined to wrap up title

SHAMROCK ROVERS travel to Belfield tonight knowing a win against UCD will secure the 2011 Airtricity League title.

Sligo’s victory at Dalymount Park on Friday has extended the title race, but even if the Hoops slip up this evening, they would be odds-on favourites to get the points they need for a second successive title at home to basement side Galway United next Friday.

Rovers will be without a number of key personnel tonight, with Gary Twigg missing due to a hamstring problem and Billy Dennehy suspended. Chris Turner is also ruled out through suspension while Karl Sheppard (thigh) and Enda Stevens, who picked up a knock in Thursday night’s Europa League game, are both doubts.

Hoops boss, Michael O’Neill said: “This is a huge game for the club. If we win tonight, we win the league, and that is obviously our aim going into the tie. We don’t want it to have to go to the last game of the season, so we will want to wrap it up against UCD.

“But we know UCD will be up for a battle. They have been on the end of a couple of heavy defeats to us this year, and will want to make up for that. We will have to be clinical on the night.”

Kick off at the UCD Bowl is at 7.05pm.