States of play for Pats
TALLAGHT STADIUM will host the largest crowd for a league game this century when Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians collide tonight.
Over 10,000 supporters are expected at the Dublin venue for the televised derby clash between the arch enemies.
With the new North Stand fully operational this season, a record-breaking sellout is on the cards.
But while Hoops boss Stephen Bradley (right) is thrilled to see his team play in front of such a large crowd, he says achieving it consistently must be the aim.
Bradley, in charge of Rovers since 2016, said yesterday:
“It’s something we’ve worked shoulder on the opening night of the season.
Farrugia landed awkwardly under a tackle from Dundalk’s Zak Bradshaw and had to be carried off on a stretcher, with the game stopped for 10 minutes.
He had surgery at the end of February and Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said the 24-year-old would be out for between six and 14 weeks, depending on his rehab.
But Farrugia is already back running and Bradley has confirmed that the former Ireland Under-21 international is potentially a month ahead of schedule.
Bradley said yesterday: “Neil is another three or four weeks. He’s doing really well and he’s out running.
“Now it’s about building up the strength and mobility but he’s doing well.” towards for some time.
“When we came in, the average attendance was 1,200 or 1,300. We’ve built it up to a place where the average is really good.
Build
“Now we have the stadium, it’ll be brilliant to see it sold out. For everyone involved in the league, it shows where we can go if you have the right facilities.
“But it’s up to us as a club and a league to build on that and make sure it’s not a one-off.”
“Making sure we have this regularly is our aim. It’ll be nice to see it tonight, but it can’t be once or twice a season.”
New Bohs boss Alan Reynolds takes charge of the Gypsies for the first time tonight - and can’t wait to sink his teeth into the derby. “It’s an exciting one and the players are itching for it they can’t wait to get going,” he said. “It’s a great night for Irish football. It’s a massive game in this country and the place will be packed.
“Hopefully we put in a performance that our fans will be happy with.”
ANTO BRESLIN insists St Pat’s have benefited from their American jaunt as they refocus on league action tonight.
The Saints spent the international break in Minnesota and played a friendly against MLS side Minnesota United, losing 1-0.
And Breslin, who has started 43 league games in-a-row in a run stretching back to 2022, feels the team bonding Stateside will serve the squad well.
FAI Cup holders St
Pat’s have lost four of their opening six games and sit third from bottom of the table.
Heading for Drogheda tonight, Breslin said: “Everyone has come back from Minnesota fit and healthy.
Competitive
“We had good training sessions over there, a really competitive game and some team bonding too, but everyone is looking forward to tonight now.”
Breslin continued: “Drogheda is always a tough place to go. They’re well drilled and organised and they work extremely hard. We know the challenge ahead of us.
“But I think we’re more than capable of going up there and getting the three points and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do.”
St Pat’s have home matches to come on Monday against Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers next Friday, but boss Jon Daly is not looking beyond tonight’s game.
Daly said: “Similar to ourselves, Drogheda will probably feel like they should have more points on the board with the performances.”
Drogheda duo Hayden Cann and Luke Heeney are set to return after illness and injury but midfielder Matthew O’Brien is an injury doubt.