Preview: Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United
Saturday’s match, which is being broadcast live on Setanta Ireland from 6.30pm, will mark Brian Laws’ first match in charge of the Hoops, just four days after taking over as director of football.
It will be a big test for the former Burnley manager but he feels he will have plenty of time to get to know his players.
“You don’t have to have great knowledge of the league; it’s about knowledge of football because that’s what we are playing,” Laws is quoted as saying in the Irish Daily Star.
“It’s not about exercising your information on the league, it’s about exercising your information on football to try and win games.
“That’s where hopefully I’ll be strong for Shamrock Rovers, rather than coming in and looking at the league.”
Drogheda are closing in on a top three finish in the league but Saturday’s decider at Tallaght Stadium comes on the back of a disappointing defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup quarter-final replay.
One consolation for manager Mick Cooke is the fact that St Pat’s needed penalties to progress to the last four and he is hoping for better luck on Saturday.
“Obviously it was disappointing to lose on Monday night, but it was cushioned by the fact that we lost on penos and everyone knows that penalties are a lottery,” Cooke said.
“But to give credit to the lads, we went toe-to-toe with St Pats for two hours and we only lost out on penalties.
“Training last night was a joy, everyone was working hard, but they were calm and relaxed at the same time and we are all looking forward to the game. If you can’t get motivated by a cup-final then you shouldn’t really be in football.”
by: Michelle, September 21, 2012