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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
A final repeat and a tasty Dublin derby in Inchicore – this weekend's FAI Cup third round previews
(Ryan McBride Brandywell, 8pm) Team news: Derry have a full squad to choose from, bar Cameron Dummigan who's still making progress in his rehab. United hope to recall Paul Doyle but Elicha Ahui, Steve Zishim Bawa and Scott Brady remain absent. Talking point: Derry boss Tiernan Lynch said this week he expects a tight battle along the lines of their disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Cork last week. Bar that 3-0 loss in Derry in June, Drogheda have been solid away from home, where they give up few chances, and City will need to work harder than they have done. Just one goal scored in four league games is a real concern. This one could go all the way to penalties but Derry could knock out the holders and gain revenge for last year's final defeat. Odds: Derry 1/2, Drogheda 9/2, draw 13/5 Verdict: Derry in extra-time SUNDAY ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC v SHELBOURNE (Richmond Park, 5pm) Team news: Pat's are missing Romal Palmer, Seán Hoare, Aidan Keena, Zack Elbouzedi and Anto Breslin. Shels carry on without Seán Boyd, Conor Kearns and Jack Henry-Francis. Talking point: This is a massive tie for both clubs in terms of European aspirations for next season, especially as the FAI Cup winners now enter the Europa League with all those benefits. It's been even in their league meetings (a win for each and a draw). The Saints showed in Istanbul that their squad players can deliver, and while Shels have options too, that bench can get Pat's over the line, maybe in extra-time or on penalties. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Ref: Paul McLaughlin Odds: Pat's 10/11, Shels 5/2, draw 11/5 Verdict: Pat's in extra-time SHAMROCK ROVERS v LONGFORD TOWN (Tallaght Stadium, 7pm) Team news: Rovers assess their squad after Thursday's European exertions, but there is still no place for the exiled Jack Byrne. However, Stephen Bradley can rotate with ease. Eric Yoro is the main concern for Longford. Talking point: While Rovers have been thriving in Europe, it's been a rough summer for Longford. Last week's win over Treaty United was a rare success in the league but while that 2-0 win and clean sheet did halt the flood of goals conceded, Longford just can't compete with the squad strength of the Hoops.
Irish Independent
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Friday night LOI previews: Derry look to add to Cork pain while Drogheda will sense an opportunity
(Ryan McBride Brandywell, 7.45) Team news: Derry lose newcomer Alex Bannon to suspension. Fiacre Kelleher is a concern for Cork. Talking point: Cork's bruised players will take heart from last week's win over Galway United, especially the clean sheet (only their second of the season) while Derry spent the week picking over the bones of their collapse in Dublin against Shamrock Rovers. This Derry side – especially a new-look defensive unit manned by July signings – is still bedding in but Tiernan Lynch has more options squad-wise than Ger Nash. Ref: Declan Toland Odds: Derry 4/11, Cork 15/2, draw 10/3 Verdict: Home win DROGHEDA UNITED v WATERFORD (Sullivan & Lambe Park, 7.45) Team news: Drogheda are missing Paul Doyle, Elicha Ahui and Steve Zishim Bawa but Warren Davis is back to full fitness. Waterford duo Kacper Radkowski and Matty Smith are out long term but otherwise the Blues have a full squad. Talking point: Back-to-back 1-0 wins show Drogheda have a formula that works, like winning away to Bohs last week despite having a small amount of possession. With some of their rivals for a top-three finish in European action this week, this is an ideal chance for Kevin Doherty's men to continue their march.
RTÉ News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
LOI preview: Champions on ropes as Shamrock Rovers visit Tolka Park
The League of Ireland resumes after the international window with so much to play for, and European football on the horizon. The Premier Division is back with a bang as champions Shelbourne host a Shamrock Rovers side that has opened up a significant advantage at the top. With the mid-point in the season just passed, the Hoops are in pole position and have left their rivals reeling. The Reds have nine points to make up, with defeat tonight likely to mean hopes of retaining their title are over. The Champions League will become a factor for Damien Duff's men soon as they took to take the lucrative path to group phase football. The Hoops will have their own Conference League qualifiers, with the draws next Tuesday. For now, they couldn't be in a stronger position with a fully-fit squad and many of their players firing. Most of the remainder of the teams will be hoping for a slip-up from Shamrock Rovers to keep the title race alive. Two of the contenders, St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United, clash at Richmond Park. The Saints signed off before the break with a hard-fought win in Sligo to stay in the mix and know they must improve considerably to have any chance of being involved in the title run-in. It is a crucial few days as the four teams will play off again on Monday - matches brought forward from July due to European competitions -so there is little time for Stephen Kenny's outfit to waste. United will now have something of a blank month after learning of their exclusion from the Conference League by UEFA. What impact that will have going into tonight remains to be seen. Derry City and Galway United also clash in the Ryan McBride Brandywell, while Cork City host Bohemians. Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers, Tolka Park, 7.45pm The pressure is all on Shelbourne going into this clash at a sold-out Tolka Park. Paddy Barrett, Sean Gannon and Conor Kearns are set to be available in this second half of the season, as well as young defender Lewis Temple. The fixture earlier in the season was a 1-1 draw; this game may be a lot more eventful based on events since. Hoops boss Stephen Bradley is excited by the period coming up. He said: "It's a great week to come back to if you look at the games that we have, starting with this Dublin derby, which will be a tough game, then we are up to Drogheda on Monday, which again will be another tough one, and then we're home next Friday against Cork City "You have to face the game in front you and respect that for everything that it's worth. We always do that but you've also got to have one eye on what's coming down the line. We've got a good squad, everybody's fit and everybody will play their part. The group is in a good place and they all know that when called upon they need to be ready. They have been and we need to continue that going forward." The Tallaght side receivered good news on Lee Grace's fitness this week. Bradley explained: "We thought he was going to be out for a number of months with his back. But thankfully, they've given him the all clear and he's available. Sean Kavanagh is back training. So, a bit unusual, but there are no injuries at all in the squad which is great." St Patrick's Athletic v Drogheda United, Richmond Park, 7.45pm As Drogheda United go to the Court of Arbitration over their European exclusion, their players and management must focus on the task at hand. Kevin Doherty has certainly been illustrating a change in mindset at the club. He spoke of regret at being behind Shamrock Rovers, rather than in the chasing pack, this week, Doherty told the Drogheda Independent: "Pat's are a really good side and it probably is a cliché, but every game is so difficult in this league and people don't seem to realise that, so we'll have to be at our best. "Of course it's a target to turn draws into wins. When I look back at a couple of them, I was certainly very disappointed with the one against Sligo, but the Derry one at home we were very unlucky with that one and Cork away was incredible how we didn't win there. "If we'd won those games we would be sitting top of the table and I don't think anybody would have predicted that." Elicha Ahui is suspended. Josh Thomas and Paul Doyle are injured and James Bolger is rated as doubtful. Cork City v Bohemians, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm Cork City have not made many happy memories so far this campaign. This fixture does stand out, however, them having registered one of their two victories of the year in it back in March. Bohs boss Alan Reynolds believes his side are due a performance in the Rebel County after that last meeting: "We feel we probably have something to prove against Cork too. "Cork are scrapping to put a bit of distance between themselves and Sligo and they'll be going into this game looking to win it having beaten us already in Turner's Cross and pushing us close in Dalymount. "We've had to work hard for every result we've got this season and having lost down in Cork already this season, there is nobody under illusions in terms of how hard we will have to work in this one." Bohs have won seven of their last nine matches, something which Cork can only dream about, but this game is far from a certainty, with a clear improvement under Ger Nash in the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne two weeks ago. Alex Lacey (hamstring) and Connor Parsons (hamstring) are both ruled out for Bohs. City remain without Benny Couto and Ruairí Keating. New signing Fiacre Kelleher is not available until July. Derry City v Galway United, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm These sides entered the mid-season break in the bottom half of the table knowing good things had been achieved so far this year, but that they can certainly do better. City are very much a work in progress under Tiernan Lynch and in truth have been for a number of years. It remains to be seen if they can muster a title challenge, with Europe the first target. United have become an established side in the Premier Division and are now looking to make the breakthrough to the top four themselves. Derry were beaten by both Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians before the break, so a response will be need here. Top scorer Michael Duffy told the Derry Journal: "This is the part of the season you want to be playing in. "You want to be close to the top and up there. This is the exciting part of the season with the cup starting as well. This is where everything happens. Everyone is in good form now and excited to get back. "There's no let-up now. It will be a tough few weeks and then it will die down a bit. So these next few games are huge in terms of what position we're going to put ourselves in going into the run-in." Galway added a new player to their ranks this week in Malcolm Shaw. The 29-year-old Canadia native and Trinidad and Tobago international joins the club having spent most of his career in the Canadian Premier League. He will be eligible from 1 July.
