'A' Team news: Final v Salthill Devon

Lloyd Massey is a slight doubt for this fixture with a toe injury sustained on International duty. Otherwise, Hoops boss Andy Myler has a full squad to choose from.

Salthill Devon v Shamrock Rovers

League of Ireland ‘A’ Championship Final 2009

Saturday October 31st, 2pm, Drom, Co. Galway

ANDY MYLER ON:

The A-Championship so far

“The season has gone quite well up to this point and we’re hoping we can finish it of positively this week. The young players have been fantastic in everything we’ve asked of them and they’ve been a joy to work with as they’re eager to learn and become better players and to break into the first team squad, which is their ultimate goal.”

The Club

“The support from the club for the A-Championship side has also been great. The players haven’t wanted for anything and get to play in the best facility in Ireland for the biggest club and that’s a huge thing for younger players. Both the Board and Michael have made sure we’ve had great support from the start and it’s been really appreciated by the whole A-Championship team.”

Last Monday’s 3-2 victory against Bohemians

“I’m told it was a great game but I just wanted us to get to the final so I’d have taken any result once it worked for us!  I thought the character of the lads was fantastic. It’s not easy to keep rising to the challenge when a team keeps coming back at you like Bohs did, but with the attitude of the lads who were with us from the 1st team squad, which has been exemplary all year, and our own lads, we were worthy winners, I thought. It was also fantastic to have the support we did from the fans, it gave us a real edge on the night.”

Saturday’s game against Salthill Devon

“Salthill have won the other group well and beaten a lot of their “league” opponents easily so we’ll have to be on our game against them. They’ll be looking to push on towards the First Division, but we’ll go there with a lot of belief in our ability and confident that our young players will give a good account of themselves. There’s been a great atmosphere in the group recently and we’ll look to carry that positivity into Saturday.”

Ticket Information:

Tickets for this fixture are available at the gate and are priced as follows:

Adults: €10.00 / Under-16’s: Free

PRESS RELEASE FROM FAI

Salthill Devon to face Shamrock Rovers in Newstalk A Championship final

Salthill Devon will take on Shamrock Rovers on Saturday in the 2009 Newstalk A Championship final. The winners of the two Newstalk A Championship groups will meet at Drom on Saturday (kick-off 2pm) to decide the overall winner of the competition. Salthill Devon pipped Drogheda United to the top of Group One, while Shamrock Rovers took the Group Two crown after a dramatic final day 3-2 win over closest rivals Bohemians. Both Salthill Devon boss Emylnn Long and Hoops manager Andy Myler know that Saturday’s final will be a tough match.

Sathill Devon manager Emylnn Long said:

“We are absolutely delighted. To be playing in the final of the Newstalk A Championship is one thing but for it to be against Shamrock Rovers, who are probably the biggest club in the land, is another. A lot of work has been put into developing the facilities we have at Drom and it is great for the club to be able to showcase that in a national cup final.

“When we first entered into the Newstalk A Championship we thought it would take three years to be competitive, so to have won our group in our second season is a great achievement. Around 80% of our players have been with the club since they were 8 or 9 years old so they have come up through the ranks and are now representing the club in the League of Ireland. It is great for the players to be able to play in the League of Ireland and to travel to stadiums like the Brandywell, Terryland Park and The Showgrounds.

“Rovers have a great squad so we know it will be a tough game. They have tended to use the A Championship side to mix experienced senior players with younger players. We know that they will have some players who are experienced League of Ireland players, but we’re looking forward to the game. Rovers fans always travel in big numbers and there is also local interest, so hopefully we can get a big crowd.”

Shamrock Rovers manager Andy Myler said:

“The game against Bohs was almost like a cup final in itself. It was a winner-takes-all match and we’re obviously delighted that we managed to win it. Games between Rovers and Bohs are special regardless of whether it’s the senior sides or the A Championship sides playing, so the players all enjoyed it.

“We’ve done a bit of homework on Salthill Devon and we know that they will be a strong side and a very well organised side. Our team changes quite a bit from week to week depending on the situation with the first team, whereas the non-league sides tend to have a settled XI playing week-in-week-out, which can be an advantage for them. We’d be delighted if we could win the Newstalk A Championship on Saturday and hopefully the senior side can win the Premier Division next week. It would be a fantastic year for the club if we could take the two titles.

“There was a big crowd at the Bohs match and there will be plenty of Rovers fans making the trip to Galway on Saturday. That’s typical of Rovers fans – they support the whole club, not just the senior side. They want the whole club to progress and be successful and they will come out in numbers to support the younger players. That’s just one of the things that makes this club so special.”