Sport

Defiant McCabe targets two wins from two

NOTHING LESS than six points from their two games over the next four days is the target winger Gary McCabe has set for Shamrock…

PAUL BUTTNER
Fri May 18 2012 - 01:00

NOTHING LESS than six points from their two games over the next four days is the target winger Gary McCabe has set for Shamrock Rovers to begin redeeming their poor start to the season.

The were defeated 3-0 at chief title rivals Sligo Rovers last Saturday in a game which they had two players sent off.

The emphatic win for Sligo sees them six points clear at the top of the table and eight ahead of third-placed Shamrock Rovers.

“It’s not good enough at all,” agreed McCabe on Rovers’ poor run which has seen them take just three points from their last four games. “We’ve to go back to basics and grind out results as much as we can. Six points is important over this weekend.”

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Rovers travel to bottom side Monaghan United on Monday.

Midfielder Chris Turner and defender Graham Gartland, both sent off in Sligo, are suspended for tonight’s clash with Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium. Captain Ken Oman returns following a hamstring strain, but midfielder Ronan Finn (hamstring) and Seán Gannon (ankle) are fitness concerns.

Drogheda are without suspended pair Brain Gannon and Shane Grimes.

Apart from midfielder Joseph Ndo (hamstring), unbeaten Sligo are at full strength as they welcome Shelbourne to the Showgrounds.

Shelbourne travel west on the back of two league wins. Manager Alan Mathews once again plans without long-term injured Lorcan Fitzgerald and Stephen Hurley while Seán Byrne, sent off at UCD last week, is suspended.

Second in the table St Patrick’s Athletic have midfielder Greg Bolger back from suspension for their trip to play Bray Wanderers. James Chambers and Mark Rossiter (both knee) remain out long-term while Stephen O’Flynn (thigh) is also out.

With Shane O’Connor and Seán Hurley added to the squad, Bray, who are chasing a fourth successive win, are at full strength.

Bohemians captain Owen Heary and goalkeeper Andy McNulty (both hamstring) miss Derry City’s visit to Dalymount Park. Impressive left-back Luke Byrne is absent due to his graduation while striker Dinny Corcoran (groin) and defender Neil Harney (illness) are struggling to be fit.

Derry face a third game in seven days as a hamstring injury sees midfielder Barry Molloy added to their injury list alongside Stewart Greacen (knee), Kevin Deery (knee) and Mark Farren (hamstring).

Shane O’Connor (foot) and Jamie Murphy (ankle) remain sidelined, along with knee injury victims Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray and Neal Horgan as Cork City host UCD at Turner’s Cross.

UCD are without goalkeeper Ger Barron (foot), Chris Mulhall (groin), Tomas Boyle (back), Dean Clarke (foot) Cillian Morrison (hip) and Seán Russell (back).

Monaghan United manager Roddy Collins welcomes the experience of Willo McDonagh, Keith Quinn and Robert Bayly back to face Dundalk in a bottom-of-the-table clash at Oriel Park. Defenders Liam Burns and Luke Danville are again injury doubts for Dundalk who will be hoping to avoid a fourth defeat on the spin.