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A look at the Ireland Golf Team for Tokyo 2020

Men’s Events

Shane Lowry

Date of Birth: 2 April 1987

Coming from Ciara, Co. Offaly, Shane Lowry has become one of Ireland’s most famous golfers in the past few years. With comparisons with fellow Irish teammate Rory McIlroy. This will be Lowry’s first appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

After playing in numerous European and PGA Tours, winning the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur, the 2015 World Golf Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August 2015. The highlight of his career so far was becoming a Major Champion, amazingly winning the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim.

After his victory, Lowry discussed his shocking victory with Sky Sports.

“It’s like an out-of-body experience! I was so calm coming down the last, I cannot believe it. The weather was awful, but I had a look around, and everyone was struggling. It became a two-horse race with Tommy, and I just tried to focus on staying ahead.”

“I suppose I talked to my caddie Bo a lot today, I said ‘I cannot stop thinking about winning, holding the claret jug’. He just said, ‘stay focused’, and what a job he did today. I cannot wait to wake up tomorrow and feel what it feels like it is phenomenal.”

Since then he has finished T4 at the second Major Championship of 2021, the PGA Championship, and has carded a consistent top 10 results this golfing calendar at least three times.

 

Rory McIlroy

Date of Birth: 4 May 1989

Hailing from Holywood, County Down, Rory McIlroy has become one of the most famous golfers of the past decade. McIlroy began his career with a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week in 2007 at the age of 17.

As both an amateur and a professional, he has represented Europe, Great Britain, and Ireland. He will now make his debut at the Olympic Games, representing Ireland along with Shane Lowry in the men’s event.

He is a four-time Major Champion, winning the PGA Championship (2012, 2014), US Open (2011) and The Open Championship (2014) and spent an incredible 106 weeks at the top of the Official World Gold Rankings in March of 2012.

His 2021 season thus far has been successful. Winning the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour with T5 and T6 results at the Masters and World Golf Championship.

Other Achievements and Awards

PGA Tour leading money winner – (2012, 2014)

Vardon Trophy – (2012, 2014, 2019)

PGA Tour Player of the Year – (2012, 2014, 2019)

Byron Nelson Award – (2012,2014, 2019)

PGA Player of the Year – (2012, 2014)

Race to Dubai champion – (2012, 2014, 2015)

European Tour Golfer of the Year – (2012, 2014, 2015)

Mark H. McCormack Award – (2012, 2014, 2015)

FedEx Cup Champion – (2016, 2019)

Women’s Event’s

Leona Maguire

Date of Birth: 30 November 1994

Born in County Cavan, prior to turning professional, she spent a record 135 weeks the world number 1 in the World Amateur Ranking from May 2015-May 2016 and then again from August 2016-February 2018, making it the longest in Amateur Golfing History.

Winning major championships such as the Women’s Amateur Championship, and winning a bronze medal representing her country Ireland at the World Amateur Championships in 2016.

Leona Maguire will make her second Olympic Games appearance after competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she finished 21st on the overall leader board. As a leading amateur in the Irish Golf scene, she turned Professional on the 5th of June 2018.

After turning Professional, Maguire has two wins while on the LPGA Symetra Tour in 2019 at the Symetra Classic. After her victory, she joined up with the LPGA Tour for her first full season as a Rookie in 2020

She has climbed the Rolex World Rankings since then, reaching 63rd after two 2nd place finishes at the Lotte Championship and Meijer LPGA Classic in 2021.

 

Stephanie Meadow

Date of Birth: 20 January 1992

Born in Jordanstown Northern Ireland, Stephanie Meadow will make her second appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year. She made her Olympic debut in 2016 in Rio, becoming a two-time Olympian in the process.

Moving to Alabama USA at the age of 14, she started golf and became and famous amateur golfer in the state. Becoming the Crimson Tide’s first-ever four-time All-American.

She has numerous team appearances as an amateur, representing Great Britain and Ireland on different occasions and in 2011 and 2013 at the Vagliano Trophy. Partaking in the Curtis Cup twice (2012,2014) winning it in 2012. She represented Ireland in 2012 at the Espirito Santo Trophy.

She left Alabama as an amateur as the career record holder in every category she entered.

Meadow decided to turn Professional in 2014. Where she won her first LGPA Symetra Tour tournament at the 2018 IOA Championship in a playoff.

She won her first LPGA Tour Card in 2019 after finishing in the top six of the Symetra Tour Money List. In August 2019. She was victorious in winning the ISPS Handa World Invitational.

She recently entered her first Major Championship in 2021, where she finished T19 at the ANA Inspiration.

Ladies Day at The Galway Races 2021

Widely renowned as ‘Ladies Day’ at the Galway Races, Thursday traditionally combines the very best in horse racing and fashion.

Following on from its popularity last Summer, the team in Her.ie are once again sponsoring the hugely popular Best Dressed Competition this year. This year’s event, held on Thursday 29th July will be judged by online influencer and model Louise O’Reilly.

This year’s Fridays Most Stylist Competition, sponsored by Athlone Town Centre returns with a chance for all ladies, no matter where you live in the world, to take part from your living room, kitchen or garden. Judging the fashion competition are stylist and presenter Marietta Doran who will be joined by previous winner, stylist and Weekend AM presenter Rebecca Rose Quigley.  Check out www.galwayraces.com for more information on both ladies’ fashion competitions.

Get Social – What’s App Messages of Support
This July, stay in touch with all that’s happening at the Galway Races by tuning in daily to their social media channels via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The team in Galway have lots of interviews, fun and entertainment planned to keep their fans engaged in the build up to and during the races, including:

  • The Weights Release on Monday 19th July via Facebook and Instagram LIVE;
  • A dedicated What’s App phone line during the festival for fans to send in their text messages and videos of support direct to all taking part in Ballybrit;
  • Daily onsite show direct from the team at the track, bringing you up close and personal and behind the scenes of Irelands largest horse racing festival.
Follow us for all the latest updates LIVE as they happen on our social media channels using the hashtags #GalwayRaces #GiddyforGalway

Ireland U20s’ Jamie Humphreys Excited To Play In Green Again

Ireland under-20s fly-half Jamie Humphreys is excited to make his return to the starting lineup on Wednesday against Italy U20s.

The Ulsterman suffered an injury thirty minutes into his debut in the opening round of the U20 Six Nations Championship against Scotland.

The Ulsterman loved every second of his short-lived introduction to the U20s and is raring to go on Wednesday.

“Any opportunity to play in this team [is worth it],” said the fly-half.

Humphreys is a man who wants to carve his own path rather than attempt to replicate his father David Humphreys’ playing style.

The 20-year-old remembers going to Ravenhill to watch his father play at a young age but wants people to remember him for the player he is, not the one his father was.

His father is respectful of this and allows him to make his own mould.

“He lets me try and play my own game and do my own things.”

Humphreys comes into the side in place of Leinster’s Tim Corkery who he said performed well in his absence.

The Ulster prospect added that the squad all just love playing with each other and playing for Ireland.

He will be part of an Ulster dominant backline that includes fullback Jamie Osborne and scrum-half Nathan Doak.

On Doak, the first five-eighth commended his performances throughout the campaign so far.

“He’s a great player to play with – he makes everyone around him feel very comfortable.”

Doak and his fellow Ulster prospect are fans of big moments and will look to create them when they can but Humphrey says that their focus is solely on how they can implement their game plan against a strong Italian side.

Massimo Brunelli’s side has impressed Humphreys with their slick attacking rugby and their physicality.

However, he feels that Ireland can get past them as long as they play to the best of their abilities.

You can watch the game live on RTÉ 2 with kick-off at 2 pm.

Ireland U20s Boss Richie Murphy Ready To Go Again

Ireland under-20s boss Richie Murphy is ready to get back to winning ways after his first loss as head coach.

His Ireland side will face an Italian side that trounced Scotland with dazzling and expansive attacking rugby.

Murphy has been impressed by what he has seen from Massimo Brunello’s side so far in the 2021 U20 Six Nations Championship.

“They’ve got two very good wingers, they’ve got a real offloading threat all the way through their team,” said Murphy.

“They’re playing a very expansive offloading game.”

The head coach also noted that the side boasts the perennial Italian strength in their scrum.

The likes of Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni are among the Italian rugby legends that were in the senior pack in recent years.

The trend of great Italian forwards could continue with this batch of U20s but Murphy is focused on his side’s performance.

“We’re very much trying to get back to what we believe our standards are.”

Nine changes have been made to the side that began the loss to England last Thursday.

Daniel Okeke makes his first start after impressing Murphy and the other coaches with his growth in recent weeks.

His boss stated that he can run 100m in just 12 seconds and weighs around 130 kg.

“He’s a lot to learn in and around the game…but when he gets his hand on the ball, that’s when you see what a dynamic athlete he is.”

Alex Soroka and captain Alex Kendellen will join the number eight in the back row.

Their ever-presence in the side underlines their importance to this crop of U20 internationals.

The likes of lock Harry Sheridan, scrum-half Nathan Doak and fullback Jamie Osborne also feature again for the side.

“Those guys [who are ever-present in the side] have been the guys who have stood up within the group and filled leadership roles.”

Kendellen’s work rate on the pitch and Soroka’s experience in the lineout is something the squad can be motivated by.

The trio of Soroka, Kendellen and Okeke will provide the team with a “dynamic back row”, according to Murphy.

Behind them at fly-half is James Humphreys, who makes his return to the side in an Ulster-dominant backline.

Murphy praised the player and son of David Humphreys’ on-field intelligence and noted that he is trusted by the squad.

“James is a great player, intelligent rugby player, thinks about the game, understands how we’re trying to play. He makes the team feel comfortable with his decision-making.”

Murphy added that the team are a tight bunch and love playing for Ireland and each other.

They will want to improve on their performance against England and their head coach has the confidence that they will do so.

“We have a squad of players here that are all very capable of playing at this level.”

The game will kick off at 2 pm and will be available to watch on RTÉ 2.

Team Ireland Announce Olympic Sevens Squad

Team Ireland have announced their first-ever men’s Olympic rugby sevens squad for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

13 players will travel to Tokyo after the side qualified for the Olympics when they won the Olympic repechage on June 20th.

Captain Billy Dardis will lead his side out under the tutelage of IRFU Director of Sevens Rugby Anthony Eddy.

Billy Dardis Tokyo 2020 Team Ireland Sevens
6 July 2021; Team Ireland has officially selected the Men’s Rugby Sevens Team who will compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Following their exciting dominance in the final Olympic Repechage in Monaco, the Irish team have made history in becoming the first Rugby team that will compete for Ireland at the Olympic Games. Pictured is Billy Dardis during a Tokyo 2020 Official Team Ireland Announcement for Rugby 7s at Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

“Having the honour of being selected to captain Ireland at the Olympics is special and I don’t think I’ll come to realise the enormity of it for some time to come,” Dardis said.

“Going to Tokyo, we as a squad are representing so much more than ourselves and our families, but Irish Sport and Irish Rugby on the biggest sporting stage.

“To lead this group out at the Olympics will be an extremely proud moment.”

The team will compete in Pool C, facing South Africa, USA and Kenya with a top-two finish in the pool guaranteeing the side a spot in the quarter-finals.

If they finish as one of the two best third-placed teams, they will also qualify.

Once-capped Ireland U20s back and 2019 Love Island winner Greg O’Shea is also one of the 13 headed to Tokyo as part of Team Ireland.

Greg previously competed in Youth Olympics as a sprinter and relishes the opportunity to represent his country at an Olympic level once more.

“The Olympics is the pinnacle of sport, so to represent Ireland at the Games is a huge honour and it means even more to be there playing alongside my mates,” said O’Shea.

“All the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it and now I just cannot wait to get out there and play.”

Team Ireland Sevens Greg O'Shea
6 July 2021; Team Ireland has officially selected the Men’s Rugby Sevens Team who will compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Following their exciting dominance in the final Olympic Repechage in Monaco, the Irish team have made history in becoming the first Rugby team that will compete for Ireland at the Olympic Games. Pictured is Greg O’Shea during a Tokyo 2020 Official Team Ireland Announcement for Rugby 7s at Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

Anthony Eddy has been head of the IRFU Sevens programme since its inception in 2015.

The New Zealander will be in charge of the programme and the side for its very first Olympic venture.

“We are delighted to be representing Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics,” Eddy noted.

“The squad has worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and they will be determined to perform well and represent their country with distinction.

“Very few rugby players get the opportunity to play rugby for their country at the biggest sporting event in the world and this squad of players should be very proud of their achievement and they will be the first of many more to come.”

Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 Tricia Heberle is excited to see the Sevens side in action in Tokyo.

She said that their path to qualification in Monaco was exhilarating, a path that took them past 2016 Olympians France.

Heberle added: “We are really looking forward to seeing what they can do now in Tokyo.”

Click here to see the athletes Team Ireland are taking to Tokyo.

TEAM IRELAND RUGBY SEVENS TEAM:

Jordan Conroy

Billy Dardis

Ian Fitzpatrick

Foster Horan

Jack Kelly

Terry Kennedy

Adam Leavy

Hugo Lennox

Harry McNulty

Gavin Mullin

Greg O’Shea

Mark Roche

Bryan Mollen

Euro 2020: England v Denmark – Team News, Betting, Prediction

We have got all the information on the Euro 2020 semi-final between England and Denmark on Wednesday

RTE 2 and RTE Player will televise the match at 20:00 on Wednesday, 7th July. Build up will start at 19:30 for the game in Wembley.

The winner of this match will face Italy or Spain in the Euro 2020 final also on in Wembley on Sunday evening.

England is presently ranked 4th in the FIFA World Rankings and has been one of the favourites for this competition since it kicked off.

Gareth Southgate’s squad made it this far after winning their group and beating Germany and Ukraine. They managed to be the only team left in the competition yet to concede a single goal.

They will have great confidence in reaching their first major final since 1966 but can Denmark cause an upset.

After narrowly making out of their group they beat the Czech Republic and Wales in the knockout rounds. Denmark was considered heavy underdogs when they won Euro 1992 so could lightning strike twice.

Kasper Hjulmand has a very well-rounded Danish squad and they are now ranked 10th in the world.

These two last faced each other nine months ago in the UEFA Nations League where Denmark beat England 1-0 away from home.

Both sides like to score with them having 4-0 victories in the knockouts, but can this Danish attack break down England’s defence?

Predicted Line-ups

England

Formation

4-2-3-1

Predicted Starting 11

Pickford (GK), Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Henderson, Rice, Sterling, Mount, Grealish, Kane

Injuries/Suspensions

None

Denmark

Formation

3-4-2-1

Predicted Starting 11

Schmeichel (GK), Vestergaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Maehle, Delaney, Hojbjerg, Larsen, Damsgaard, Braithwaite, Dolberg

Injuries/ Suspensions

Eriksen

 

Betting

England, playing in their home stadium are favourites to win in normal time with odds of 7/10.

The odds of the game going to extra time are 12/5.

Denmark to pull off an upset within 90 minutes are 4/1.

 

Score Prediction

Although many Irish fans will wish differently, this looks to be the end of the road for Denmark. They will be outmuscled and outclassed by this strong English side.

The Danes will put up a fight and they will finally break England’s clean sheet record, but it won’t be enough. Kasper Schmeichel will be kept busy by Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling at the other end.

Expect the game to end after 90 mins with England heading into the final with a 2-1 win.

Champions League: Slovan Bratislava v Shamrock Rovers – Team News, Betting

Here is all you need to know ahead of Shamrock Rovers Champions League qualifier clash against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday

The first-round qualifier match will take place at 17:30 on Wednesday, 7th July in the National Stadium in Slovakia. Shamrock Rovers will live stream the match on the link here

https://www.shamrockrovers.ie/livestream/

Rovers are past the halfway stage in the league and they sit on top. They are ahead of Sligo Rovers by goal difference due to some patchy form recently.

In the last few weeks, injuries have been the main concern for Stephen Bradley’s team, and this week they will miss midfielders, Chris McCann and Neil Farrugia.

Manager Bradley said at a press conference: “We’ve had a tough time the last five or six weeks in terms of injuries, there’s no getting away from that but it’s great to start seeing the players coming back.”

“It’s important to have everyone available as much as possible because between now and the end of the season there’s going to be a lot of big games.”

 

Although Bratislava has a very good team, this will be their first match since the end of May. They will be physically ready, but will they be mentally?

These two sides have not faced each other in recent history so these two legs could be an unpredictable, interesting affair.

Predicted Line-ups

Shamrock Rovers

Formation

5-3-2

Predicted Starting 11

Mannus (GK), Gannon, Grace, Lopes, Hoare, Scales, Finn, O’Neil, Burke, Greene, Gaffney

Injuries/Suspensions

McCann, Farrugia

 

SK Slovan Bratislava

Formation

4-2-1-3

Predicted Starting 11

Greif (GK), De Marco, Bozhikov, Abena, Paushek, Rabiu, de Kamps, Holman, Ratao, Strelec, Daniel

Injuries/ Suspensions

None

Betting

Shamrock Rovers are unlikely to grab a win away from home with odds of 5/1.

For the game to end in a draw, the odds are 3/1.

Slovan Bratislava is the bookmakers’ clear favorite with odds of 1/2 to win.

 

Score Prediction

Now that the ‘away goal’ rules have been removed from the Champions League, Bradley’s side’s job is not to score but the keep the score line low.

The manager says that they understand their opponents so expect the game to end 1-0 to Slovan Bratislava as they have their home fans as an advantage.

“We know what they’re about, they’re a very good side but it’s one that excites us and one that we’re looking forward to,” added Bradley.

History Made As Team Ireland Divers Confirmed For Tokyo 2020

Team Ireland has selected their two divers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games this summer with one female diver included – a first for the team.

Tanya Watson qualified for the Women’s 10m platform and will be one half of the Irish Olympic diving team.

Rio 2016 finalist Ollie Dingley will be going to his second Olympic games and will compete in the Men’s Springboard 3m event.

“Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who made this possible. It’s a real privilege to represent Ireland at my second Olympic Games,” said Dingley.

“I feel very lucky that we can get to go and compete at the Olympics after what has been a very uncertain time for everybody.

“This will be my third competition in over two years, and I really just can’t wait to get out there and compete and do my best.”

Team Ireland Diver Tanya Watson
5 October 2018; Tanya Watson of Team Ireland, from Derry, during a diving training session in the aquatic centre at the Youth Olympic Park ahead of the start of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

19-year-old Tanya Watson will be looking forward to this summer’s Olympics too.

The Southampton-born diver qualified after getting into the Top 18 of the FINA Diving World Cup in Tokyo.

Team Ireland has also made history by sending more than one diver to the Olympics for the first time, according to Swim Ireland Performance Director John Rudd.

“We’re all thrilled to see this talented team of two selected to compete in diving at the Games, particularly as this is the very first time we’ve ever fielded more than one diver at an Olympics – as well as Tanya having the honour of being our first-ever female Olympic diver….we can look forward to some exciting days of competition in the Olympic weeks ahead,” said Rudd.

Tanya progressed from Ireland’s Youth Olympic team of 2018 and has added more great performances and accolades to her name since reaching the final in Buenos Aires.

28-year-old Ollie Dingley has a notable amount of accolades too, including the Irish record for the 1m and 3m Springboard.

Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle, is excited to see the divers in action.

Heberle said: “We know it has been a challenging qualifying pathway and we are very excited to support them both.”

 

Lions v Sharks – Preview, Lineups, Betting, Start Time, TV Coverage

The 2021 British and Irish Lions will play their third game and the second game in South Africa on Wednesday when the Cell C Sharks lineup against them.

This year’s Lions have proven to be a very strong side thus far with their most recent match against the Lions highlighting their quality.

However, wholesale changes have been made to the side that beat the Sigma Lions 56-14 on Saturday. You can watch a live stream of the match on Sky Sports APP

Ulster and Ireland lock Iain Henderson will captain the side, becoming the latest Irishman to take up the mantle.

Mako Vunipola will get his first start of the tour and will have a chance to prove to everyone why he should be considered for the South Africa tests.

Adam Beard and Josh Navidi have been drafted in after their late call-ups following the injuries Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric sustained against Japan.

The explosive Sam Simmonds will be a danger to the Sharks defence in his first start as a Lion.

His opposite number eight, Sharks captain Phepsi Buthelezi, will look to lead his side to a historic victory against Warren Gatland’s Lions.

The side’s last game against the British and Irish Lions ended 39-3 in a dominant display from Ian McGeechan’s touring side.

Buthelezi and co. will want to provide a bigger challenge to the 2021 Lions than their 2009 counterparts.

The tough task ahead of them includes shutting down threats such as centre Elliot Daly and former Blue Bulls winger Duhan Van Der Merwe.

Daly was a livewire in his natural position for the Lions when he came on at the weekend.

Gatland’s use of ‘roving wingers’ and edge forwards in the first two games with the squad has troubled opposition defences and Sharks players will have to be wary of this.

The Sharks are boosted by the inclusion of fly-half Curwin Bosch, who has been capped twice by the Springboks.

His ever-presence in the side has seen the fly-half become a leader for the backs and his skills will be needed for a good performance on Wednesday.

However, it will be a big ask, nonetheless.

Lineups

British and Irish Lions: Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Mako Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson C, Adam Beard, Josh Navidi, Tom Curry, Sam Simmonds.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Rory Sutherland, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart Hogg, Chris Harris.
Cell C Sharks: Manie Libbok, Werner Kok, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse; Khwezi Mona, Fez Mbatha, Khutha Mchunu, Ruben van Heerden, Hyron Andrews, James Venter, Thembelani Bholi, Phepsi Buthelezi C.
Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Wiehahn Herbst, JJ van der Mescht, Reniel Hugo, Dylan Richardson, Grant Williams, Anthony Volmink.

Betting

Cell C Sharks 11/1

Draw 45/1

British and Irish Lions 1/20

Kick-Off & TV Coverage

The game will kick-off at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 7th in Ellis Park, Johannesburg.

Sky Sports will be showing the game on their Main Event channel with coverage starting at 5 pm.

Shamrock Rovers prepare for first Champions League game in ten years

It may be hard to believe but a club as big as Shamrock Rovers, until last year, had not won the Irish league since 2011. Now they prepare themselves for a run in the Champions League qualifiers

At 17:30 on Wednesday, 7th July, Shamrock Rovers will travel to the National Stadium in Slovakia to face Slovan Bratislava.

Bratislava has won the Slovakia football championship for three years in a row. Their squad includes a few of the internationals that traveled to Euro 2020 with Slovakia.

Although they have not qualified for the Champions League group stages before, they made an appearance at the Europa League in the 2019/2020 season. The club’s greatest moment was winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup way back in 1969.

The young Rovers manager, Stephen Bradley who is still only 36, says that his team is prepared for the occasion.

“They’re obviously a really good side. They dominate Slovakian football, and they have real quality all over the pitch, top-level quality with internationals. But we’re excited by it,” said Bradley.

“We know what they’re about, they’re a very good side but it’s one that excites us and one that we’re looking forward to.”

Shamrock Rovers team news

Shamrock Rovers will be without Irish midfielders Chris McCann and Neil Farrugia who won’t travel due to injury.

They currently sit on top of the League of Ireland after 19 games, only ahead of Sligo Rovers on goal difference.

 

Rovers will begin their Champions League run away in Bratislava. Many believe that teams will play very differently now that the ‘away goal’ rule has been removed from the competition.

“That’s been taken out of it so I’m sure that will alter how teams go away from home and play in Europe when it’s not important. It’s going to be different, but it is what it is, and we’ll go there with a game plan,” added Bradley.

The League of Ireland is yet to have a representative at the Champions League group stages, could Rovers be the first? If they lose over the two legs, they will be placed into the third qualifying round of the newly made Europa Conference League.

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