Bray Wanderers -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Daire Walsh
• Thu, Jun 24 2010


Title challengers Shamrock Rovers will look to make to a successful return to action on Friday evening when they take on Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in their first game since the mid-season break (kick-off 7.45pm).

Rovers have drawn their last three games in the league, against Sporting Fingal, Bohemians and Drogheda United, so they will be eager to keep their title charge on track with a victory over Eddie Gormley's side. The good news for Michael O'Neill is that they are edging ever closer to having a full hand to pick from, with Pat Sullivan currently the only player set to miss out.

Dessie Baker is currently struggling with an Achilles injury and, as O'Neill revealed when speaking to shamrockrovers.ie during the week, he will be given a late fitness before any decision is made on his availability.

“Dessie's our only doubt. He has had a bit of an Achilles problem and will face a fitness test ahead of the game tomorrow. But otherwise everyone is doing well and looking forward to the game,” O'Neill stated.

Looking ahead to the trip to Bray, the former Newcastle player is expecting a tough contest against Bray, and is also confident that his players will get good travelling support from the loyal Hoops fan.

“We’re expecting a tough game in Bray. They have a lot of very young players, but they also have some very good players. I’ve seen them quite a few times this year, and I feel they were unfortunate with results on a few occasions”.

“We expect to have a good support out there – our away support has been excellent this season – and hopefully it will be a good game for all, with the result going our way.”

With half of the season having already past, the Portadown man is hoping for a good end to the season from his charges, and will be looking to utilise his squad to its fullest extent as the games come thick and fast.

“We have had a really good week and a half since getting back to training. We are all really looking forward to the game, and getting going again. It is important we start off the second half of the season well, and we will be looking to do that tomorrow night. The games are going to come thick and fast now, and we will need to utilise our squad; but are aim from here on in is to win every game we play”, O'Neill added.

This game will be a tough one for Bray, especially as they go into the match without the services of David O'Neill and Richie Baker, who have groin and back injuries respectively. They will also have to make do without the suspended duo of Robbie Doyle and Dane Massey, while David Tyrrell will also have to undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he has overcome his injury problems.

They do welcome a new addition to their squad in the form of Derek Prendergast, a centre-half from LSL side Bangor Celtic, and boss Gormley is confident that they will give it a good go against Rovers tomorrow.

"We had a good break and I'm looking forward to getting back after a well earned rest for the lads. It's a tough assignment but we will go out and try and get a result and get off to a positive start", Gormley told braywanderers.ie during the week.

There has never been any denying the effort that Bray Wanderers put into each match, and they should certainly put in a good showing tomorrow night, but with three points being so vital for Rovers tomorrow, it is hard to see anything other than a victory for the Tallaght men from this tie.

Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.
Referee: T. Connolly.
Paddypower.com odds: Bray 15/2, Shamrock Rovers 4/11, Draw 11/4.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: David O'Neill, Richie Baker.
Doubtful: David Tyrrell.
Suspended: Robbie Doyle, Dane Massey.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Pat Sullivan.
Doubtful: Dessie Baker.
Suspended: None.

Extratime.ie prediction: Bray Wanderers 0-2 Shamrock Rovers.