League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Shamrock Rovers

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United last beat Shamrock Rovers at United Park in the league in 2005. That run of games without a win, stretching back 12 years, is one that the Boynesiders will be hoping to put to an end on Friday evening as they host the Hoops (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Boynesiders come into this game off the back of six successive defeats, the most recent of which was at home to Bray Wanderers in the EA Sports Cup.

That defeat on Tuesday meant that Drogheda have now been knocked out in the first round of the competition in each of the last three seasons. Manager Pete Mahon was quick to point out his side's poor cup record when speaking to droghedaunited.ie.

“Our Cup record as of late is absolutely horrendous. I think we’ve been knocked out of the First Round of nearly every single tournament over the last three years,” Mahon said.

“There’s absolutely no silver lining to being out of the Cup. We wanted to advance as far as we could and I hate to lose games. It’s becoming a too familiar feeling for us.”

Mahon admitted the run of defeats needs to come to an end soon. He believes that if his side can get United Park to start working in Drogheda’s favour, that everything else will begin falling into place for his side.

"We know that this run of defeats has to come to an end soon. It’s going to be the most competitive season imaginable down at the bottom with three being relegated and we can’t afford to get cast adrift," Mahon told the club website.

“We’ve dusted ourselves off from the Dundalk game last week and we’ll be ready for Friday. Motivation won’t be an issue for us. Rovers have a lot of talent in their squad but we need to outwork them and give everything we have."

In team news, Drogheda will be without a number of players for the fixture against Stephen Bradley’s side. Killian Brennan continues to recover from a broken collarbone while his brother Sean Brennan and striker Marc Griffin both miss out due to injury.

Furthermore, defender Ciaran McGuigan is suspended following his red card against Dundalk while goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness is doubtful through injury.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers head to United Park on Friday evening as they look to record back to back victories for the first time this season.

So far this season, the Hoops have won three of their seven league games, against Bohemians, Galway United and most recently Finn Harps.

Rovers beat Finn Harps 3-2 thanks to a late winner from Simon Madden. However, manager Stephen Bradley felt that his side should have been out of sight at half time.

"I thought first half we were excellent. It could have been 3-0 or 4-0. We dominated everything. In the second half we stopped playing," Bradley told www.shamrockrovers.ie.

"We stopped competing and they came back into the game, and we were relieved to get the win in the end because the game should have been over and done with at half time, and we just didn't start second half."

Looking ahead to the fixture this Friday, Bradley, who was in attendance at United Park on Tuesday for Drogheda’s EA Sports Cup defeat against Bray, said that he is confident his side will do well if they play with the same desire that they showed in the first half against Finn Harps.

"It's a tight pitch. Drogheda will work hard and be competitive but we've got to make sure that our mindset is right, that we're ready to go there and do a job, and approach it in the right way."

"If we do that our ability will come through. We have to go and approach it as they will, play at the same tempo and desire as we did in the first half last week. If we do that I think we'll be fine."

With no suspensions and striker Gary Shaw back in training following injury, Bradley will have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers have won the last thirteen games that have taken place at United Park between these two sides.

Drogheda United’s last league victory at home to Shamrock Rovers was on the 14^th April 2005 when the Louth side won 2-1.

These sides have the two worst disciplinary records in the league so far this season. To date, Shamrock Rovers have received 23 yellow cards and 3 red cards while Drogheda have received 14 yellow cards and 3 red cards.

BETTING

Drogheda United 9/2; Draw 13/5; Shamrock Rovers 8/13.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

Drogheda United

Injured: Killian Brennan (broken collarbone), Sean Brennan, Marc Griffin (both hamstring).

Doubtful: Stephen McGuinness (groin).

Suspended: Ciaran McGuigan.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.