Rovers do battle with St Pat’s in President’s Cup

SHAMROCK Rovers will take on St. Patrick’s Athletic in the President’s Cup on Friday at Tallaght Stadium, reports Stephen Farrell. The League Champions have had much the better of the recent exchanges between these two clubs.

The hoops have won the last three matches, which were all in the league, with their last meeting being a two nil away win.

Indeed, the last time the 2023 FAI Cup Champions beat their Dublin rivals was a one nil home win in the league almost two years ago in March 2022.

The President’s Cup heralds the beginning of a new season as it is the first domestic trophy which is up for grabs.

However, going on form it would appear that the cup, now in its 10th year, will travel from Derry, the 2023 winners, to Tallaght.

Both Shamrock Rovers and St. Pat’s have announced a number of player transfers and signings in recent times.

St Patrick’s Athletic manager Jon Daly

At Rovers the promising Nai Raz is moving to Serie B club, Como 1907 for what Rovers say is a “significant upfront fee”.

Undoubtedly Coach Stephen Bradley and assistant Coach Glenn Cronin will be sorry to see him go.

One of the key aspects to Rovers’ 2024 success was their passing and possession game.

The Hoops had the most passes (465 per 90 minutes) with an accuracy of 84%, according to extra time.

They also topped both the passes to final third and progressive passes, both deep completions and touches in the penalty area and finally through passes.

The Hoops were also top when it came to possession during games at 57.7%.

The Saints for the third consecutive season earned a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, having finished in third place in 2023.

The Inchicore side appear to be a team in transition with the recent announcement of a number of player arrivals and departures.

Their coach Jon Daly will hope that the signing of Arran Pettifer from Bolton Wanderers will strengthen his squad.

However, St Pat’s also recently confirmed the transfer of Tommy Lonergan to English League 1 side Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee, with defender Luke Turner (21) heading north to Cliftonville on a multi-year contract, also for an undisclosed fee.

St. Pat’s Sam Curtis has also joined Premier League side Sheffield United for an undisclosed international training compensation fee and Darius Lipsiuc has joined Championship side Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.