Reasons to be cheerful after Rovers’ draw at Dalymount Alan Finn

Was enthused after the Bit O’Red took a point from their first game of the 2024 campaign

HEADING into last Friday’s opening game of this season’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division with Bohemians, there was as a cautious optimism.

It was arguably the hardest game to predict from the first series of games as both teams had an unknown element to them. Before the game any supporter would have gladly taken a draw and a good performance to start the season for the Rovers senior men’s team.

Yet, it seems hypocritical to say that despite this being exactly what transpired, there is a tinge of disappointment. It was a game Rovers could have won. Perhaps they should have won. It would have been a tremendous way to start the season, but doesn’t it suggest that this tinge of disappointment isn’t a bad thing when it comes to a team that showed more than may have been expected?

It was a decent night from some of Rovers’ new faces. Simon Power – electric by name, electric by nature. The ex-Shamrock Rovers was excellent in his competitive debut for the Bit O’Red, outpacing and outsmarting the Bohs defence with his great blend of pace and trickery on the ball. JR Wilson offered a good glimpse of what he was always expected to bring to this squad as his dogged defensive qualities at right-back were on show throughout.

After a ropey first 20 minutes, Ollie Denham settled into the game well with his ability in an aerial duel being his standout quality on the night.

Connor Malley and Ellis Chapman only showed glimpses of what they are capable of, with Malley slightly the better of the two in the midfield three, with his highlight undoubtedly being an excellent ball into Reece Hutchinson to score Rovers equaliser.

Rovers fans will also have been enthused by the performances of Reece Hutchinson and Fabrice Hartmann who will surely hope to replicate more of their best form from 2023. Fabrice Hartmann’s goal to put Rovers in front was a thing of magic.

On his day, Hartmann is one of this competition’s finest players and what an influence he could have in a good season for Rovers if he can produce those kinds of performances on a consistent basis.

This Rovers team is far from perfect as yet, there are plenty of rough edges which require a bit of smoothing out, but there is quality, heart and endeavour in this group of players if the first game of the season is anything to go by.

Twelve months ago we certainly thought the same thing after drawing 1-1 with Shamrock Rovers, albeit in a team from whom far more was expected. This is a group of players with everything to prove as well as prove many doubters wrong who condemned them to relegation doom throughout the off-season.

Questions were asked as to whether this side’s inexperience cost them all three points as they opted to sit back for too long in the second-half

The number of Rovers’ new signings that featured in last Friday’s away fixture. to absorb pressure. It happens at all levels of the game, especially early in the season as players continue working towards their level of optimum match fitness.

As a young team playing together for the first time on a massive pitch in front of a lively crowd, I find it hard to blame them for trying to not only manage the game but also manage their fitness in the process.

The last thing Rovers need is a lengthy injury list again. If attempting to hold onto a one goal lead on the opening night away from home is the best way to avoid needless muscle injuries, then so be it.

THE players have certainly shown enough to warrant a big turnout this Saturday with the game potentially on its way to a sellout.

Fans may be heading to The Showgrounds this weekend more in hope than expectation, but it sure makes a change from much of last season when many Bit O’Red supporters were heading to the venue with neither hope nor expectation.