REPORT: Today's Pre-Season Friendly Results
Shamrock Rovers continued their pre-season preparations with two more friendly games today, against Wexford FC & Treaty United at our Roadstone academy complex.
Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Wexford FC
Wexford FC were our first opponents this morning, in a 12:15pm kick-off in the capital. Included in Stephen Bradley's starting line-up was our newest signing, Andy Lyons, after his recent arrival from Dublin-rivals Bohemians. Rory Gaffney & Graham Burke were also included in the Rovers starting eleven - although Burke only played the first half-an-hour as he continues his recovery to full fitness.
Similarly to both our games last Saturday, the Hoops wasted no time in settling into the game, and opened the scoring after ten minutes through Aidomo Emakhu, after being played through by Conan Noonan - Emakhu's second of pre-season.
Noonan then turned from provider to scorer when he sent a lovely volleyed effort from a Dylan Watts corner past Paul Hunt in the Wexford goal after 20 minutes. Graham Burke was substituted shortly before half-time, with Rory Gaffney replacing the Republic of Ireland international.
Oisin Hand, playing on the left of a back-three, netted Rovers' third of the game after 70 minutes to put daylight between the sides. Sean Gannon was forced off with 5 minutes remaining, and with no substitutes left on the bench, the Hoops saw out the remaining minutes of the game with 10 men, and secured our second win our our 2022 pre-season schedule.
Shamrock Rovers: 1. Alan Mannus; 2. Sean Gannon, 5. Lee Grace (C), 4 Oisin Hand; 19. Andy Lyons, 7. Dylan Watts, 26. Chris McCann, 3. John Ryan; 10. Graham Burke (20. Rory Gaffney), 38. Aidomo Emakhu (18. Cian Curtis), 27. Conan Noonan.
Wexford FC: 1. Paul Hunt, 2. Aidan Friel, 4. Paul Cleary, 7. Conor Crowley, 9. Conor Davis, 10. Jack Doherty, 14. Dinny Corcoran, 15. Mitchell Byrne, 17. Adam Wells, 20. Jordan Tallon, 21. Harry Groome.
Wexford FC Substitutes: 13. Alex Moody (GK), 3. Kevin McEvoy, 11. Aaron Dobbs, 12. Thomas Considine, 16. Len O'Sullivan, 18. Luke Scanlon, 19. Evan Farrell, 23. Lorcan Fitzgerald.
Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Treaty United
In our second game of the day, Shamrock Rovers welcomed First Division side Treaty United to Roadstone - in what was the first ever senior meeting between the two sides - for a 4pm kick-off.
Once again, Rovers controlled the majority of the early play, but were unable to break down the stubborn Treaty defence. The deadlock was eventually broken just after the half-hour mark, when an Aaron Greene header bet Jack Brady in the visitors net. Jack Byrne came close to doubling our lead five minutes before half-time, firing an effort off the Treaty crossbar.
Rovers began the second-half where they left off, with Richie Towell & Barry Cotter having efforts that narrowly missed the target. Our lead was doubled 10 minutes into the second-half through an own-goal.
With 20 minutes remaining, Danny Mandroiu completed the scoring, finishing at the back post after a fine low-driven cross into the Treaty box. Rovers comfortable saw out the remaining minutes to secure 2/2 wins today, as the 2022 League of Ireland season edges closer and closer to its start date.
Shamrock Rovers: 25. Leon Pohls; 3. Sean Hoare, 6. Barry Cotter, 27. Sean Carey-Jones; 8. Ronan Finn (C), 16. Gary O'Neill, 17. Richie Towell, 23. Neil Farrugia; 14. Danny Mandroiu, 9. Aaron Greene (26. Justin Ferizaj), 29. Jack Byrne.
Treaty United: Jack Brady (GK), Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins, Jack Lynch, Stephen Christopher, Callum McNamara, Lee Devitt, Dean George, William Armshaw, Enda Curran, Trialist.
*Photo Credit: Shamrock Rovers Football Club*