SETANTA SPORTS CUP FINAL:SHAMROCK ROVERS manager Michael O'Neill's hand has been strengthened ahead of tomorrow evening's Setanta Sports Cup final (kick-off 6.15pm) after Gary Twigg, Craig Sives and Chris Turner all came through the club's A Championship game against St Patrick's Athletic in Richmond Park on Wednesday night without any apparent problems.
None of the three played the entire game but there was satisfaction at the club yesterday that all had done enough to be considered for panel for tomorrow’s game against Dundalk.
A return by Twigg, in particular, would be popular with the 3,000 or so Rovers supporters expected at the game although his improving fitness provides O’Neill with something of a dilemma given the form of the side generally in recent weeks and of Karl Sheppard in particular with the young striker having scored in four consecutive league games prior to Monday’s scoreless draw in Inchicore.
Gary O’Neill has yet to find the net in the league but his performances as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation are credited by his manager as having done much to help bring the best out of others and suggested after the St Patrick’s game that the former Shelbourne and Sporting Fingal player might find it easier in terms of finding the net himself when partnering Twigg up front.
“I don’t know, to be honest,” says O’Neill, “and I don’t really mind who I’m playing with or what the formation is as long as I’m out there.
“There are lot of good players here and a lot of competition for places so I’m just pleased to have got so much football at this stage of the season and delighted to have the chance to play in a cup final so early on.”
O’Neill came to the club late in pre-season after the demise of Sporting and the 29-year-old admits to being more than a little relieved with the way things worked out after he had initially committed to another two years with Liam Buckley’s side.
“I was happy there but after what happened you’re not sure where you’re going to end up and I’m glad to say that I’ve landed on my feet here. It’s a great set-up, a great squad and, much as I enjoyed playing for Fingal, it is nice to be playing in front of full houses.”
That’s pretty much what’s expected for tomorrow’s game with the hosts having almost sold out their allocation despite effectively rationing access amongst season ticket holders while Dundalk have shifted the majority of theirs.
For O’Neill there will be plenty of familiar faces in the Dundalk line-up including Colin Hawkins, who may spend a good portion of the evening trying to curb his old friend’s influence.
“He’s a great lad, Jason Byrne too, I’ve played with a few of them and it’s good to be up against them now in a big game but the friendships go out the window when kick-off comes around. Obviously the priority here is to win the league but we’ll be well up for this. I mean, a cup final, everyone wants to win.”
Another 2,000tickets for next Wednesday's Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium have gone on sale through Ticketmaster. Seats at all price levels were available last night with the cost ranging from €50 to €135 plus fees depending on location.
The latest batch of tickets to go on sale have become available as a result of Braga confirming that they would not be taking up its full allocation of 12,000.
It is expected in Portugal, however, that Porto could bring as many as 3,000 more fans than they have tickets for.
