League Preview: Dundalk -v- Shamrock Rovers

DUNDALK

Dundalk could go one step closer to breaking a League of Ireland record on Tuesday night, should they overcome Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park and record their 14th win in a row (kick-off 7.45pm).

More crucially, a win for the Lilywhites will see them go six points clear of second-placed Cork City with a superior goal difference ahead of the teams' final seven league matches.

Dundalk are still on course for an historic double following Friday night’s 2-0 win over Finn Harps in the second round of the FAI Cup in which Ronan Murray and Georgie Kelly scored in either half.

“It was a great victory. Finn Harps put it up to us,” said defender Dean Jarvis following that victory over Harps.

“They are a tough team to play against, with five at the back and they changed the formation a couple of times, but I thought we played well, controlled the game and took our goals well.”

That win was made all the more impressive by the fact that manager Stephen Kenny made seven changes from the side that beat Sligo Rovers in their last league outing just four days previously.

“We made seven changes but the people coming in, like Patrick McEleney and Ronan Murray, they are top quality,” continued Jarvis.

“The last time we made that many changes, down in Cobh, it didn’t quite work out but I thought today everybody gelled well and we’ve been training well this week.

“We did what we had to do to get the job done.”

Attention now turns to what is a potentially defining week in the race for the title with two matches in quick succession, first with Shamrock Rovers before a trip to Limerick next Friday.

“Rovers haven’t been doing that well recently, but they always step up their game against us. They’ll be looking to finish their season strongly.

“But we know it’s a big three points and it’s going to be important in the run-in to pick up everything we can.

“It’s the first time I’ve been trying to push for the league title at this time of year,” he said.

“Training every day, it’s a different atmosphere to that I’ve been used to up the road. Everything is more important, how you live your life through the week, stuff like that.

“Hopefully in the next couple of weeks now we can push on and make that gap even bigger.”

Dundalk are likely to be back at full strength with Gary Rogers, Chris Shields, Robbie Benson, Michael Duffy and Patrick Hoban all likely to return to the starting XI having sat out the win over Finn Harps.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will be desperate to get back to winning ways following recent defeats to Drogheda United in the FAI Cup and Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium last time out.

Life doesn’t get any easier for Rovers with their latest assignment being a trip to Oriel Park to face top-of-the-table Dundalk, who recorded a 5-2 win the last time these sides met back in April.

“It was a tight game (in April),” manager Stephen Bradley told the club’s official club website.

“I think the goals were our mistakes, we were well in the game. I’m sure it’ll be a tight game again tomorrow night. We’re capable of beating any team in the league so we’re all looking forward to it

“It’s a massive game, a really tough game. We know that Dundalk are in good form but it’s a challenge that we’re really looking forward to. We always do well up there and I’m sure Tuesday will be no different.

“There’s a lot of points to be played for between now and the end of the season, we just need to stay focused and get back to what we do well.”

Rovers welcome back Aaron Bolger and Gary Shaw, who are both available for selection. Luke Byrne and Sean Boyd however, remain on the treatment table and will not feature against Dundalk.

“The Leaving Cert had a big part in Aaron Bolger not featuring more in the season but that’s over now so Aaron is like any other player now, competing for a starting place in the team,” continued Bradley.

“Gary Shaw was a strange one – he was okay beforehand but he felt his hamstring in the warm up (against Bohs) and obviously we couldn’t bring him on.

“He’s fine now, he’s trained the last few days. Luke Byrne is still a little bit away. He came back training and had a recurrence of the same injury. Sean Boyd is still a couple of weeks away.”

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH FACTS

A win for Dundalk would be their 14th successive win in the league. The current record, which dates back to 1923/24, is held by Bohemians, who won 15 matches on the bounce as they won the title.

A goal for Patrick Hoban in this match would take his tally in the league this season to 25. Dundalk’s current record for goals in a single campaign is held by Richie Towell, who also scored 25 in 2015.

A goal for Hoban would also make it the fifth consecutive league league match in which the Loughrea native has scored.

The last player to do this for Dundalk was Mark Griffin in the 2011 season.

BETTING

Dundalk 4/9; Draw 3/1; Shamrock Rovers 6/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-0 Shamrock Rovers

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell.

Doubtful: Karolis Chvedukas.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Sean Boyd, Luke Byrne, Trevor Clarke.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.