The SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division returns tonight after the international break with so much at stake already at this early stage of the season. Highlights previewed below Highlights Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers Oriel Park, 19:45
The SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division returns tonight after the international break with so much at stake already at this early stage of the season.
Highlights previewed below
Highlights
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers
Oriel Park, 19:45
Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers travel to Oriel Park looking for their first win of the season against an in-form Dundalk side.
The defending Champions haven’t always had their way up in Louth which adds another level of spice to this intriguing encounter.
Robbie Benson, for his part, has scored several times against the Hoops and will be hoping that run can continue again tonight.
The Lilywhites will see this as an opportunity to stake their claim as serious contenders for the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division title knowing a win will bring them a long way to that.
Stephen Bradley knows the threat that Dundalk pose.
“They’ve been in very good form, had some really good results and they’re sitting in a good position in the league so we know it’s going to be a tough game.
“It always is in Dundalk. The pitch is a complete leveller in that regard, it makes for a different game. They’ve started well and they’re playing well so it’ll be a difficult game,” he said.
His opposite number, Stephen O’Donnell, is relishing the occasion.
“It’s the perfect fixture to come back from the international break to. You always look out for the games against the top teams and Rovers are champions and obviously going for four in a row. It’ll be a brilliant atmosphere at Oriel and we’re really looking forward to it.
“People have asked me about potentially moving nine points ahead of them if we win but I don’t read too much into that. It’d be different if you had totally honed it down to it being a two-horse race between us and them, right from the get-go, and you had the luxury of saying there were only two teams in with a chance of winning the league, but that’s not the case,” he said.
Watch it live on LOITV at 19:45.
Shelbourne v Derry City
Tolka Park, 19:45
Live on RTÉ2 at 19:35
A re-run of the 2022 FAI Men’s Cup Final is on the cards for tonight’s live TV game with Derry City needing three points to keep the pressure on at the top of the Division.
Shels have been in decent form too and a win down in Cork last time out has the Reds filled with confidence ahead of tonight’s game.
It is Luke Byrne’s 100th appearance for Shels and he will be hoping to mark the occasion with three points that could signal a 2023 campaign with more lofty ambitions that last season.
Duff, however, believes this is not a revenge mission.
“My thoughts on the game, my approach, the team I pick, it’s not a revenge mission or anything like that. I’ve a lot of motivating factors for tomorrow, the players do, but November 13 is not one of them. I don’t need that to get myself up for a game at Tolka Park,” he said.
“Don’t think that one game shows a reflection of the rivalry with Derry, we won 2-1 and drew 1-1 in the Brandywell last year, we were unlucky not to get anything at home.
“Results wise they’ve been tight games in the league, listen we know there’s a gulf there in terms of the quality and depth of Derry and what they’re operating with but it shows how well the lads did perform that we competed and beat them in the league last year.
“The FAI Cup final, on the day they were the better side, we’re honest we know we deserved what we got, we weren’t ready to deliver on the big occasion, but trust me when I say this, we will be. That’s where we’re looking to go.
“I have no doubt, the team that is out tomorrow night is a lot better than the team that lost the FAI Cup Final, we’re constantly growing, evolving and improving,” he concluded.
Derry City Assistant Manager Alan Reynolds knows his team are in for a tough test of their title credentials.
“They’re always really well organised and are a very difficult team to play against, especially at home” he said.
“We know Friday night will be exactly the same and while we’re glad to get back playing again, we’ll have to be at our best if we’re to give ourselves a chance of winning.”
City’s injury list probably meant that the recent break came at a good time, however the Waterford man was giving little away ahead of this weekend.
“We’ve said recently that a few of the injured lads were getting close to a return and that’s very much the case now.”
“We know we’re going to be missing Mark Connolly, but him apart, the rest of the squad is in, or near to being in contention at this stage.”
“As Ruaidhri has said, the lads who have come in have done a fantastic job.”
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Waterford v Finn Harps
RSC, 19:45
Former Bohs Manager Keith Long takes charge of his first game of his Waterford tenure tonight as he faces Dave Rogers’ Finn Harps as the Blues look to get their title charge back underway.
Galway United have been racking up the wins and Keith Long knows already that they can’t afford to lose any more grand.
Speaking ahead of the game, Long said:
“I want to try get off to a winning start. I’ve come in the day before the first match but I’ve been able to rely on Brian, Gary and David and their knowledge of the players,” he said.
“I’ll be looking for a really good performance tomorrow night; if we do that we give ourselves a really good chance.
“We want to try put a sequence of good results together starting on Friday.”
Finn Harps have been enjoying a decent run of form though know that wins are needed now to help them push on.
Full fixtures:
Friday, 31 March, 2023 – 19:45
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Cork City v Drogheda United
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers
Shelbourne v Derry City
St Patrick’s Athletic v UCD
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Athlone Town v Galway United
Cobh Ramblers v Bray Wanderers
Waterford v Finn Harps
Wexford v Treaty United
Saturday, 1 April, 2023
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Sligo Rovers v Bohemians – 19:45
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Longford Town v Kerry – 19:30
