19.30 14 Mar 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Longford Town -v- Shamrock Rovers
- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, Mar 14 2015
LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town were presented with the toughest possible assignment on the opening day as the First Division winners were tasked with a trip to the reigning Premier Division champions, Dundalk, at Oriel Park. Tony Cousins opted to break up last season's title-winning partnership, playing Gary Shaw as the lone frontman with top scorer Davy O'Sullivan in reserve as he sought to frustrate Stephen Kenny's side.
An early goal from Daryl Horgan scuppered that plan but Longford performed manfully and the home side had the outstanding reflexes of Gary Rogers to thank as he denied O'Sullivan and Shaw in the latter stages as they eked out a 1-0 win. Cousins will hope to go one better as he welcomes another of his former sides to City Calling stadium, and the major question is whether he'll stick with the defensive formation employed in Louth or re-unite last season's devastating strike partnership.
There's an added subtext to the meeting as Cousins' squad consists of a handful of former Rovers players. Don Cowan spearheaded the Hoops attack when the Hoops won the First Division title in 2006, while Stephen Rice, Pat Flynn and Pat Sullivan were part of Michael O'Neill's side that competed in the group stages of the Europa League in 2011. Sullivan will be a big loss for Town owing to his wedding on Saturday but Cousins' side retain enough talent and experience to make their first home game back in the Premier Division a memorable one.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers made surprisingly easy work of St Patrick's Athletic in Tallaght on the opening day, with centre half Max Blanchard performing particularly well as an auxiliary midfielder, and it was his beautifully-cushioned volley that teed up fellow debutant Danny North for the only goal of the game.
Free-flowing football wasn't on the agenda for either side as a vicious and bitter wind swept across Tallaght Stadium, but the return of Stephen McPhail and Ryan Brennan and a potential debut for Keith Fahey should enable the visitors to play a more expansive brand of football in Longford. Gary McCabe will likely revert to the wing as Fahey is installed in the central playmaking role, while Barry Murphy will take over from the impressive Craig Hyland in goal following his one-match suspension.
Much will depend on how Longford set up, and an attacking approach from the home side could challenge a defence that wasn't seriously tested against the reigning cup champions, but the onus will likely be on Pat Fenlon's side to dictate the game. With the likes of Fahey and McPhail back in situ, Town will need to be at their best to repel them.
Referee: Padraig Sutton
MATCH STATS
Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers last met in the third round of last year's FAI Cup, with Fenlon's side enduring a nervy opening to run out comfortable 3-0 winners at Tallaght Stadium.
The sides haven't met in the league since 2007, when Rovers won two of the sides' three meetings. Longford won the final league meeting 1-0 in Tolka Park, with former Hoop Dave Mooney netting the only goal.
BETTING
Longford Town 3/1, Shamrock Rovers 10/11, Draw 9/4.
PREDICTION
Longford Town 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
Longford Town
Injured: Unknown
Unavailable: Pat Sullivan (wedding).
Doubtful: Jamie Mulhall, Paul Hunt.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Pat Cregg (hamstring), Sean O'Connor (quad).
Suspended: Gavin Brennan.