Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk - Where can I watch it and what do I need to know?

Friday night sees the top two in action as second-placed Shamrock Rovers welcome league leaders Dundalk to Tallaght Stadium in a game that will see little love lost between the sides.

From touchline clashes at the FAI Cup semi-final replay in 2016 to Daniel Cleary’s cupped-ear celebration to the Rovers bench last season, the tie is never anything short of eventful.

Dundalk have had the edge in the fixture so far this season with a scoreless draw early in the season followed up by a 2-1 win at Oriel Park in April.

The latter result signified a shift in power from Rovers – who had led by 13 points, albeit with two games in hand, at one point – to Dundalk.

The Lilywhites now occupy what many would considered their expected place at the top of the table, five points clear of the Hoops, who have picked up just a point from their last two games.

Dundalk, by contrast, are unbeaten in their last 13 games – 12 of which they’ve won – and haven’t dropped a point in seven games.

Form often goes out the window is ties such as this, however, and odds are the two sides won’t be separated by much, if anything, come 10pm on Friday night.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is 8pm.

Where is the match?



Tallaght Stadium, Dublin 24.

Who is the referee?

Dublin’s Robert Harvey, who recently took charge of the Euro 2020 qualifier between Sweden and Malta, will officiate over proceedings.

Are there tickets available?

Tickets for the home section can be bought here via Shamrock Rovers.

Where can I watch it?



The game will be shown live in the Republic of Ireland on Eir Sport 1 with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.

Extratime.ie will have around-the-grounds previews reports from Cork City v Derry City, Finn Harps v Sligo Rovers and UCD v St Patrick’s Athletic as part of the broadcast.

Can I stream it online?

Eir broadband, landline and TV customers can avail of Eir Sport’s online streaming service here.

Who are they key players to watch?

Shamrock Rovers have made two big signings already this summer with Ireland under-21 winger Neil Farrugia and midfielder Gary O’Neill both arriving from UCD, but neither is eligible to play.

O’Neill’s arrival, as the former captain of UCD, will put pressure on Rovers’ already-stacked midfield ranks, but one who is likely to react positively to the competition is captain Ronan Finn.

Finn, who returned to the Hoops two years ago after winning three titles with Dundalk, has had a quiet season by his own standards but he’s a player who tends to stand up in the big games.

The large travelling support will look to get on Finn’s back early on and his duel with Chris Shields and Patrick McEleney in midfield could go a long way to deciding the contest.

For the visitors, the return of Robbie Benson may be on the cards after he suffered a bad leg break on the opening day of the season, but his involvement could be minimal.

Pat Hoban hasn’t reached the heights of last season so far for the Lilywhites but his potency in front of goal ensures he remains the league’s top scorer.

He was the difference-maker the last time the sides met, at Oriel Park in April, his bullet header giving the Lilywhites a lead they wouldn’t surrender in the crucial minutes before half time.

Team news:

Rovers will be without the ineligible Neil Farrugia and Gary O’Neill, while Aaron McEneff remains a week away from fitness and Sam Bone also misses out.

Dundalk will have to wait for Andy Boyle’s transfer to clear, while fellow defenders Daniel Cleary and Dean Jarvis are also set to miss out.

Read Macdara Ferris’s match preview here.

Betting:

Shamrock Rovers 9/5; Draw 21/10; Dundalk 6/4.

Full list of SSE Airtricity League fixtures (all 7.45pm kick-off unless stated):

Shamrock Rovers -v- Dundalk (8pm)

Cork City -v- Derry City

UCD -v- St Patrick’s Athletic

Waterford -v- Bohemians

Finn Harps -v- Sligo Rovers (8pm)

Limerick -v- Shelbourne

Galway United -v- Athlone Town

Drogheda United -v- Bray Wanderers

Cabinteely -v- Wexford