Rovers square up to St Pat’s in crunch contest

SHAMROCK Rovers welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to Tallaght on Friday night in what is their final league game before the start of their Europa Conference League campaign next week, reports James Ffrench.

Both Dublin sides come into the game in high flying form, with Rovers unbeaten in their last four league games and Pats without a loss in five.

Kilnamanagh’s Joe Redmond will be in action for St Pat.

After Graham Burke’s winner on Monday night against Bohs, Friday will be the second of three consecutive games hosting Dublin opposition for Rovers, with Shelbourne to come next Sunday.

Stephen Kenny’s side are on a three game winning streak, after back to back victories over Louth opposition before a 3-0 victory over Waterford on Friday night.

Mason Melia got his side’s second of the night at Richmond, with the 17-year-old wonderkid in a rich vein of form, scoring a goal in each of his last three games.

Shamrock Rovers players celebrate Graham Burke’s goal in Tallaght Stadium
on Monday night Photo Mark McDemott

The last meeting between the two sides was way back in June, and ended in a 2-1 victory for Pats after a 90+6 minute winner from former hoop Brandon Kavanagh.

Both sides have suffered underwhelming seasons up to this point, but they seem to be clicking at the right time of the season with under half a dozen games left to play.

Given the competitive nature and unpredictability of the league this season, both sides can still somehow achieve their respective objectives, with Rovers just four points off the top (albeit having played a game extra) and Pats five points off the European positions with a game in hand.

When they meet on Friday both of those objectives will be put on the line as the league’s two most in form teams go to head-to-head.