Rovers ready to bounce back

SHAMROCK Rovers boss Trevor Croly says his side will be going all out to put right last week’s result against Coleraine in Dublin.

The Tallaght side find themselves trailing to a David Scullion goal following the first leg last Monday night. Boss Trevor Croly admitted after the game he was disappointed not to have taken something out of the game, but added his new side didn’t play with a high enough tempo, particularly in the first half.

“We had a lot of possession in the first half but we didn’t move them around enough,” said Croly.

“And we ended up giving a poor goal away in what was their only shot of the first half, so it was disappointing from our point of view to go in 1-0 down at the break.

“They had a good shape about them. They are the away team so the onus wasn’t on them to play with tempo, it was on us and we didn’t do that well enough.

“It would be easy to say we weren’t prepared enough, but that’s wrong. We didn’t move the ball well enough and we weren’t sharp enough.

“It was better in the second half and we created better chances, it was disappointing not to get a goal back.

“We were a bit unlucky. We’ve hit the post, had shots cleared and had a shout for a penalty.

“We’re disappointed not to score but we have to be realistic that we played quite well.”

Croly is looking forward to tonight’s return leg, but he is expecting another tough encounter.

“The great thing about it is it’s half time,” he said. “The guys know a bit more about them now so we’re all looking forward to Monday.

“It’s going to be tough. It’s a tricky pitch and Coleraine are a decent side.They have technically good players and they have the likes of Curtis Allen, who didn’t play tonight, to come in.

Stephen Lowry is probably one of the best midfielders in the north.

“We would love to get to the final, but you can’t afford to get ahead of yourself, especially when you’re 1-0 down after the first leg.

“We have to go to Coleraine next week and perform.”

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