Shamrock Rovers to get title defence up and running at the third attempt against St Pat's

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

At the third attempt, Shamrock Rovers will get their title defence up and running by welcoming a St Patrick’s Athletic side with much to prove.

Waterlogged pitches at Tallaght and Tolka Park caused delays which the Hoops squad could justifiably cherish given their Conference League commitments shortened the off-season to six weeks.

Stephen Kenny’s St Pat’s did get to open their campaign 12 days ago but were less than convincing in the stalemate against Bohemians, failing to register an effort on target at Lansdowne Road.

Downpours caused their meeting with Galway United to be called off and they face the toughest tests against the champions. It was a 4-0 defeat at the same venue last May that confirmed doubts about the capacity of Saints to seriously challenge for a first title since 2013.

“It’s been frustrating but there’s nothing anybody could have done because the weather is the weather,” said Rovers boss Stephen Bradley about their wait for action.

“Nothing beats competitive games, we all know that, but it has given us a couple of more weeks to get ready for the season and get players up to speed.” 

Michael Noonan, fresh from rejecting a move to Hoffenheim after Rovers had accepted a €1.8m bid, could lead the attack. He broke the deadlock in that meeting last year and has one less rival through Rory Gaffney’s ankle injury.

Danny Mandroiu and Max Kovalevskis are also missing for Rovers, while Simon Power’s knee injury and a knock to new striker Max Mata sideline them for the visitors.

Rovers’ Michael Noonan who recently rejected a move to Hoffenheim. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Elsewhere, Derry City’s third of four successive home games is against in-form Bohemians.

Authorities will be hoping to avoid last year’s pre-match violence around the ground but there could be fireworks on the pitch as these pair are deemed the closest prospects of dethroning Rovers.

“We were hugely frustrated about last Friday night,” Derry boss Tiernan Lynch said about the visit of Dundalk, which required a late Michael Duffy penalty to eke out a 2-2 draw.

“We’re not satisfied with the start, as a collective, and we need to improve on last week in both boxes.” Dundalk boss Ciarán Kilduff has branded their visit of Drogheda United to Oriel Park as the biggest derby in the country.

Drogheda arrive, despite off-field controversy, as the early pacesetters with six points.

“Drogheda United have a clear identity and they’ve been more than competitive in this division over the past few years,” said Kilduff.

“We respect their quality and know we face a serious test but we must trust our progress. We gave a very good account of ourselves last week against Derry City and were disappointed not to take all three points.

“There’s a real buzz around the place and the squad can’t wait. After everything that’s happened off the pitch over the past 18 months or so, it’s a special occasion to have a live televised Louth Derby in Oriel Park, on a new pitch under new floodlights. This is the platform we wanted — and now that it’s here, we’ll make the most of it.” 

Waterford have one point to show from their opening pair of matches and they host a Sligo team wounded by last Saturday’s 4-0 home hammering by Bohemians.

“Sligo will be disappointed with the performance and how they gave up the goals, so I'd imagine this week they'll be working really hard to ensure they're defensively solid so they don't give up those cheap opportunities again,” says Blues boss Jon Daly.

“Sometimes it's not ideal facing a side who come into the game having been beaten 4-0, so it's up to us to start fast and put the doubt into their minds.” 

Friday's LOI fixtures (All 7.45pm unless stated):

Premier Division: Derry City v Bohemians, Ryan McBride Brandywell; Dundalk v Drogheda United, Oriel Park (8pm, live Virgin Media); Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick’s Athletic, Tallaght Stadium; Shelbourne v Galway United, Tolka Park; Waterford v Sligo Rovers, RSC.

First Division: Finn Harps v UCD, Finn Park; Treaty United v Bray Wanderers, Markets Field; Kerry v Athlone Town, Mounthawk Park; Wexford FC v Cork City, Ferrycarrig Park.