THE LEAGUE runners-up and defeated FAI Cup finalists come face to face this evening at the Showgrounds where Shamrock Rovers will be aiming to continue their fine record from last year against their Sligo counterparts.
The Dubliners won all four league games between the sides in 2009 but are without some prominent team members for the game with Craig Sives and Pat Sullivan suspended and last season’s top scorer Gary Twigg a major doubt after picking up a knock in a recent pre-season friendly.
Manager Michael O’Neill reckons his squad is “much stronger” now than last season but admits he has some concerns regarding the bedding in of new players so quickly.
“We would’ve preferred to get some of those players in sooner,” he says, “but the reality was that we had to wait and see what happened elsewhere before we could sign them.”
Sligo boss Paul Cook is likely to be without Gary McCabe, Gavin Peers and Matthew Blinkhorn but Pádraig Amond and Eoin Doyle are expected to feature against their former club.
In the First Division, meanwhile, Athlone Town travel to Salthill Devon and Longford Town host Finn Harps.
