General
- Thursday May 3rd, 2018 @ 19:55
Team News: Saints V Rovers
St Patrick's Athletic host Shamrock Rovers in Richmond Park, Inchicore as they aim to return to winning ways in Friday's SSE Airtricity League Dublin derby (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Saints will be hoping to return to winning ways following their disappointing 5-0 defeat to Dundalk on Monday, while Liam Buckley's side will also be looking to maintain a run of form that sees them unbeaten at home in the league in their past five games.
In team news, the Saints are boosted by the return of Ryan Brennan from a one match suspension while goalkeeper Tyson Farago, midfielder Owen Garvan and forward Christy Fagan are close to returns but the trio will face late fitness tests.
"Monday was hugely disappointing. The second half performance was a long way off what we expect as a management team and what the players demand of themselves," Buckley told stpatsfc.com.
"We've another quick turnaround for this game against Shamrock Rovers. It's a Dublin derby so it's a big game. We narrowly lost out to Rovers in March and I felt we could have taken something from the game. We need a fully committed performance and need to ensure we apply ourselves properly. We have been strong at home this season so hopefully we can maintain that run of form with a result on Friday."
For Saints' defender Simon Madden, the prospect of bouncing back into a Dublin derby is one he is personally relishing as it is a game he says that players look forward to.
"It's just a great buzz, between before the game and during the game as you feel both sets of fans giving each other stick. It's the perfect game for us after the Dundalk game as there'll be a big crowd at it and a lot of our own home support, good atmosphere and hopefully we can get a positive result," the defender told stpatsfc.com.
"It's an important game for us as we need to go on a little run if we're to start looking up the table. We need the points as we had been on a little unbeaten run, so we just need to get back winning and picking up consecutive results to start moving up."
Tickets for the game can also be purchased online or from the club.
Tickets for away supporters can be purchased at the Tallaght Stadium.
