Sligo Rovers face Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on Monday night in the second of what is a three game run over the space of a busy seven days for the Bit O’Red.
Rovers were narrowly beaten by St Patrick’s Athletic in a thrilling seven goal affair at Richmond Park on Friday night, while the Hoops provide the opposition on Monday evening before Sligo make the long trip to Cork on Friday.
Rovers were unbeaten against Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds last season, beating Stephen Bradley’s side in June having played out a scoreless draw against the Dubliners at home in March. While the Tallaght outfit twice beat Rovers in Dublin, in both April and September.
Both clubs go into this tie occupying the bottom two spots with Sligo having played three, while the visitors have played just twice following the postponement of last week’s clash with Cork.
Sligo remain the only team in the Premier Division yet to pick up a point after Shamrock Rovers drew with Shels at Tolka Park on Friday night, getting off the mark following a 1-1 draw.
Rovers were beaten by the single goal in seven in Inchicore on Friday during a crazy game. Two behind, Rovers pulled themselves back into contention courtesy of an own goal and Cian Kavanagh’s first for the club. The same player then missed a penalty against his old side after Chris Forrester had made it 3-1, only for Kavanagh to return to level the tie shortly after his miss.
It wasn’t to be Rovers’ night as ex-striker Aidan Keena netted the winner with eleven minutes to play.
Manager John Russell will again be without Wilson Waweru for this one. Ollie Denham, a late withdrawal ahead of the Pat’s clash, faces a late fitness test.
Offering his thoughts on a frustrating night, Russell says he acknowledges aspects of the performance weren’t up to scratch but sees a lot of positives heading into the Shamrock Rovers game.
“Last Friday I’m sure was a smashing game to watch for the neutral. But for us it was disappointing not to come away with at least a point”, Russell told sligorovers.com.
“To go to Dublin and score three against one of the best teams in the league is an achievement but then to concede four, all of which were avoidable isn’t acceptable from our point of view. But, we created plenty, missed a penalty and then might have had another one late on when Oskar (Van Hattum) was taken down inside the box.
“The Waterford and Pat’s games came down to such tight margins and big moments and if you have a bit of luck behind you, which you sometimes need, then that can be the difference between a decent start to the year and sitting bottom with no points.
“But we must cut out the individual errors and that’s been well broadcasted to the players since the opening game. You can’t go and score goals and then concede sloppy goals at the same time.
“We are trying to improve defensively but going forward, we’ve already scored five goals in our first three games and should have had more, so for me that’s a positive.
“If we can manage to improve ourselves defensively and that’s the whole team included, then we give ourselves a good base to start from.
“Yes, it’s been a disappointing start to the year. But it is vital we stay focused, keep working and understand that we have more than enough quality in this squad to start picking up points soon.”
David Goulden