Hoops roll into Richmond

The new all-Ireland champions, Shamrock Rovers, face St Patrick’s Athletic in a big Dublin derby tonight.

Fresh from their 7-1 trouncing of Drogheda United in the Setanta Cup final, Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to make up lost ground in the Airtricity League against a side aiming to narrow the gap between themselves and leaders Sligo Rovers to just one point.

“This is a big game for us and we are very determined to do well in it,” said Hoops boss Trevor Croly. “We were delighted to win the Setanta Sports Cup final but the final is over, the cup is in the cabinet and we are now focused on the St Pat’s game and playing as well as we did on Saturday.”

Following two tough away fixtures to Cork City and Drogheda United which saw Pat’s claim maximum points, Saints manager Liam Buckley is expecting a big crowd at Richmond Park.

“We’ve already had a fair few Dublin derbies due to the back fixtures being played recently,” he said.

“Now five of our next six games are all against Dublin clubs so we know we’ll be playing in front of packed crowds over the next few weeks. There’s always a good atmosphere in these fixtures and lots of passion will be seen so the players know what to expect.”

At Thomond Park, wounded Drogheda will need to recover quickly from their Setanta Cup drubbing if they are to get anything out of an impressive and full-strength Limerick.

“I fully expect Drogheda to come down to Thomond eager to confirm their strength and I know we’re going to face an extremely tough game,” said Limerick boss Stuart Taylor.

Tonight’s Premier Division games both kick off at 7.45.