Upbeat Rovers poised for final push

SOCCER:HAVING THROWN top spot away over the last few weeks, Shamrock Rovers will look to build on Tuesday's FAI Cup semi-final win over St Patrick's Athletic by beating Drogheda United in Tallaght this evening and so push an already remarkable title race all the way to the last night of the season.

The Dubliners have lost four of their last five in the league, putting arch-rivals Bohemians in the driving seat in the process. But bouncing back from the disappointment of conceding late last Sunday against St Patrick’s Athletic to then beat them in the cup replay has, their manager hopes, provided the basis for a late charge in the championship.

“Given our recent results in the league, the cup semi-final win was a great boost for us,” says Michael O’Neill. “The players will go into the last two games in a very positive mindset, which may not have been the case if we did not get into the final. We just need to ensure we win our last two games now, and see what happens elsewhere.”

Midfielder James Chambers is a major doubt for the game with an ankle injury as is Enda Stevens with a foot problem while Pat Flynn is suspended and Dan Murray, Seán O’Connor and Pat Sullivan are all out long term with knee problems. Still, the hosts would be expected to beat a side – missing Glenn Fitzpatrick and Ronan McEnteggart this evening – that has taken just two points from their last 13 outings.

Elsewhere, Sporting Fingal will continue their pursuit of a European spot when they go to Dundalk with the aim of maintaining a strong recent run of form. Shaun Williams returns from suspension for the game but the visitors are wary of a side that, while inconsistent, has shown itself to be very capable on its day.

“They set themselves up well and have plenty of pace and craft in their ranks,” says Fingal boss Liam Buckley. “They’ve beaten every side in the division except us this season and we want to avoid a slip-up.”

The locals are without the suspended Garry Breen but Wayne Hatswell is available again having served a ban last week. Daniel Kearns is doubtful with a shoulder injury but Alan Cawley is available again after a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Pete Mahon is anxious St Patrick’s Athletic fans help to prevent the club’s season fizzling out in the wake of Tuesday’s cup defeat by turning out for tonight’s Bray game but spirits around the Inchicore camp are bound to be low given the way the team’s season has crumbled in recent weeks.

They’ll be without full-backs Damien Lynch and Ian Bermingham tonight as both are suspended while Dave Mulcahy and Ryan guy are carrying knocks.

Still, it’s a modest enough list of problems when compared to those of Bray with the visitors missing Jake Kelly, John Mulroy, Derek Prendergast, Seán Houston, Dane Massey and Shane O’Connor this evening through either injury or suspension.

Both UCD and Sligo Rovers are close to full strength for the game at the Belfield Bowl while in the First Division Finn Harps, fresh from their defeat of Cork City last weekend, their first win in seven games, have Gary Whoriskey and Tommy Bonner back from suspension as they head to the Brandywell in the hope of tripping up title-chasing neighbours Derry City but Chris Breen and Tommy Shields are out while Ciarán Coll is a doubt.