“We know what we have to do” – Finn urging Hoops
By Stephen Leonard
SHAMROCK Rovers captain Ronan Finn is hoping his side can return from the short break firing on all fours as they prepare to face off against Airtricity League leaders and defending champions Dundalk in a crunch top-of-the-table clash in Tallaght Stadium tomorrow night.
The Hoops have worked hard to position themselves to make a real challenge for the Premier Division crown and Finn is adamant they do not want to let slip that opportunity.
Currently sitting second in the table, five points off the Lilywhites, Rovers will be looking to make a timely return to winning ways having managed just one point from their last two outings against Bohemians and Derry City.
“In terms of the context of where we are in the league, this is a huge match and if we can take three points, it will give us that platform to push on” stressed Finn.
“Coming up to this point in the season we would have had a good turn of form [in recent years], but it would have been too late for us to catch Dundalk or Cork.
“Now we just have Dundalk to focus on and a win on Friday will really help us keep the pressure on.
“They may be thinking that they have a bit of a cushion and that a draw would not be a bad result against us to keep us at distance.
“But Dundalk are a very good side and I can’t imagine them coming to Tallaght and parking the bus, but in the back of their mind they might be thinking that a draw is not the worst result. But we know what we have to do” he told The Echo.
Finn will be hoping that the short break in the season will have worked in favour of the Hoops ahead of their crucial fixture tomorrow.
“We were glad of the break. It gives you some time to take a break from it and to come back refreshed and focused” he said.
“I think generally we have shown that we do produce our best form after a break so hopefully we get the win on Friday.
“It will give us that bit of momentum coming into the match against St Pat’s [on Monday night].
“They [Pat’s] have had a bit of an indifferent season so far, but the club and the fans really wake up when we go to play them.
“They’re very difficult opponents and they were very good when they came to Tallaght. We beat them 1-0 but there was very little in it and we expect another tight match” he said.
Meanwhile Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has added to his squad with Gary O’Neill and Neil Farrugia joining the Tallaght side while Rovers left full James Furlong is set to join up with Fulham.
