Fagan ruled out of Rovers tie

By Simon Walsh

St Pat’s striker Christy Fagan will not be available for tomorrow’s crunch league tie with Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

Saints boss Liam Buckley confirmed to stpatsfc.com that the striker is still struggling with a knew injury, while new signing Shane McEleney misses out through suspension.

Tomorrow evening’s game sees third play fourth, with both teams level on points, and having only locked horns on Monday in the EA Sports Cup semi-final, Buckley said his side are delighted to be in the final, while they know another tough game awaits them in Tallaght.

“We were delighted to get through the tie on Monday” he explained. “I thought we played well in the first half and dealt with the conditions reasonably well.

“We kept plugging away to break the deadlock and were unlucky in a few instances, but overall to get the win in the end on penalties, we’re delighted and now we look forward to a final against Galway in a few weeks.

“In relation to Friday though, we know it’ll again be difficult. Both teams should be fine in relation to fitness, as the legs will have recovered in time for the game.

“It’s a big game in relation to where the teams are in the league table so it should make for a good game of football.” 

Ian Morris, who recently signed for the Inchicore outfit, was tasked with taking the final of five penalties on Monday as the Saints beat Rovers 4-2 on spot-kicks, and he is focusing returning to match fitness after an injury lay-off.

“The fitness is coming along, every day in training it’s getting better” he stated. “I’m still just topping up my minutes at the moment as I haven’t played 90 in a long time in a competitive game.

“So it’s just a case of me getting as many minutes in and getting that match sharpness back which I think it’s coming.

“I was a little disappointed with my passing on Monday when I came on, but that can’t be helped so it’s just been a case of knuckling down in training and getting ready for Friday.” 

The Strong swirling wind pretty much ruined Monday’s game as a spectacle, just like it did in the opening league tie of the season when Rovers overcame Pat’s 1-0 on a dreary night in Tallaght.

And with so much as stake, most notably a lucrative European spot, everyone will be hoping the weather and conditions favour a decent game of football on Friday evening.