U19s Cup preview

Under 19s play Sligo Rovers in the Cup on Sunday, kick off 2pm at the Stadium.

Declan Hevey’s Under-19’s take a break from their League campaign this Sunday when Sligo visit Tallaght Stadium for this second round clash in the Enda McGuill Memorial Cup. Rovers smashed Drogheda United 6-0 at United Park in Round 1, while Sligo caused a shock by defeating St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 in Dublin.

Sligo currently lie sixth in the Northern Division and will view the Cup as their only realistic chance of silverware this season.  Two setpiece goals from Marty Owens in the first round were enough to dispatch the Saints and Sligo will travel to Dublin in confident form. Sligo, like Rovers, are a very young side but boast a number of players with A-Championship experience.  With 2 wins and 3 draws from their 11 League games to date, the westerners may be saving their best form for the Cup.

Rovers, for their part, are in blistering form of late and have scored 20 goals in their last 4 games.  Strikers Dean Ebbe and Seán Dixon have contributed 13 of that total. Indeed, Dixon has now scored back to back hat-tricks and both will be looking to continue that form.

Manager Hevey had this to say: “We’re now entering the business end of the season and have some massive games coming up starting with Sligo on Sunday. Shamrock Rovers have a rich history in Cup competitions and we hope to continue that tradition by lifting this Cup. We’ll take nothing for granted against a Sligo side that appear to be underperforming in their Division. They showed against St. Pat’s what they’re capable of but we’re on a good run of form at the moment and will be looking to continue that.

We have a very young, talented group of players all trying to impress Stephen Kenny and make the step up to the first team. That is our ultimate aim; to produce as many quality players as possible for the senior squad.

We look forward to the challenge of Sunday’s game as the Cup can be a real leveller and anything can happen. We trained well as a group during the week and there is a great spirit and buzz among the lads so we’re hoping we can progress to the Quarter-Final.

Hopefully we will get a big crowd out to the game. The Rovers fans are special and have always gotten behind us, both in numbers and vocally so it would be good to see them out in force again at Tallaght Stadium”.

One thing is for certain, this is bound to be an absorbing Cup tie at Tallaght Stadium between two good young sides who will both want that Quarter-Final berth. The Young Hoops have shown their quality lately and will be looking to continue that here and gain another victory.

All fans are welcome to come along on Sunday. Admission is free and you will be sure of an entertaining afternoon. Hot drinks will be available in the Glanmalure Suite at half time.

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