League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
ATHLONE TOWN
A bumper crowd is expected at Lissywoolen this Friday night as Athlone Town host Shamrock Rovers in what will be the club's first home game in the League of Ireland top flight since the 1995/96 season.
Town fans will be hoping their side can mark the return of Premier Division football to Athlone by picking up their first points of the 2014 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season following last week's 2-1 opening day defeat away to Sligo Rovers. Speaking ahead of Friday's game, Town manager Mick Cooke declared himself satisfied with his team's performance against the Bit O′ Red despite the defeat.
“I was pleased with the overall performance against Sligo and we were very unlucky not to get a result.”
With no suspensions and a clean bill of health reported so far, it looks like Cooke will have the luxury of a full squad to choose from for the Midlanders' meeting with the Hoops with the suspended duo of Barry Clancy and Derek Prendergast returning to the fold along with Alan Byrne (ankle injury) and James O'Brien (flu).
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Following last week's season curtain raising 1-1 draw at home to Derry City, Shamrock Rovers will make the journey to Westmeath with their eyes firmly set on notching up their first win of the
season.
Unlike their opponents, Rovers go into the game with a number of injury worries. Centre- half David O'Connor is a definite absentee for the Hoops having sustained an ankle ligament injury in last week’s game with Derry, whilst Marty Waters is a doubt with a slight calf problem.
Stephen McPhail may also be forced to sit it out for Rovers as he has yet to completely overcome the tendonitis which prevented him starting last week's league opener. With Ciaran Kilduff's injury time header salvaging a draw for the Hoops last Sunday,
Rovers manager Trevor Croly says he will be looking for his side to put on an improved display in Athlone this week:
“I felt the players showed good character to get the late goal against Derry City last week. However, we know that we are capable of playing a lot better. We will be looking for a better performance than that on Friday night, and hopefully a better result.”
Referee: Tomas Connolly
MATCH STATS
The last competitive outing between the two sides came in June 2011 in an FAI Cup third round tie at Tallaght Stadium with Rovers running out convincing 4-0 winners courtesy of goals from Gary McCabe, Chris Turner, Dean Kelly and Billy Dennehy.
The last league meeting between the two was in October 2006 when goals from Ray Kenny and Andy Myler gave the Hoops a 2-0 victory at Tolka Park.
Athlone Town assistant manager Harry Kenny spent thirteen years in the green and white of Shamrock Rovers during which time he was part of the club's famous 'Four in a Row' team.
BETTING
Athlone Town 5/11 Draw 2/5, Shamrock Rovers 8/13
PREDICTION
Rovers with a 2-1 victory
Athlone Town:
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Shamrock Rovers:
Injured: David O'Connor (ankle)
Doubtful: Marty Waters (calf), Stephen McPhail (tendonitis)
Suspended: None
