Shamrock Rover Away

Tallaght Stadium

Saturday 11th July Kick-off 3.00pm

First pre-season friendly of the season sees Newcastle in Ireland.

Newcastle Squad in Dublin

Goalkeepers: Harper, Krul, Forster, Soderberg

Defenders: Beye, Coloccini, Enrique, Taylor, Kadar, Morris, Tozer

Midfielders: Barton, Butt, Guthrie, Nolan, R.Taylor, Duff, Donaldson, Vuckic

Strikers: Ameobi, Carroll, Smith, LuaLua, Martins, Baheng, Danquah, Ranger

 

 

Chris Hughton (Caretaker Manager) said:

“We have four goalkeepers with us so we can’t play all of them. But every single fit member of the squad will play a part. Possibly the only one who won't be involved will be Oba, although he is training. His programme's a little bit different to everybody else's because of summer surgery.

We'll discuss it with the physio, but he's one, at this moment, that won't be involved. I plan to use all the (other) players who are here. We have four goalkeepers with us so we can’t play all of them. But every single fit member of the squad will play a part.

I won't be looking to play anyone for 90 minutes. My main concern is not so much the performance, but getting through the 90 minutes with no injuries.

Each individual player has got to get something out of the game. If we have no injuries, we will be halfway there."

On Duff he said:

“Damien’s been with us for a week, as he finished slightly earlier than the other internationals, and he’s trained very well here. We’ve had no problems with Damien. “His fitness is good, and he’ll be involved against Rovers.”

On Andy Carroll he said:

“We’ll make a late decision on him, but the likelihood is that he won’t be involved. He had an ankle problem towards the end of last season, and he’s been through a period of rehab. We’ve been careful not to overload him, as we don’t want him to break down. He’s been fine.”

Re Captain he said:

He said: “It’s an interesting one, and we won’t make a decision until late in the day.“If you look at late last season, Nicky Butt captained the team for a period of time, but there are a number of candidates. But as for the full-time captain next season, that’s a decision for the new manager coming in.”

 

Michael O'Neill (Shamrock Manager) said:

"It's a busy weekend for us! We could do without this game, if I'm being honest. But it is a good game to play lads who aren't currently in the first team. We'll also be taking a look at some trialists. There's no way I can play anybody who plays the night before against Bray Wanderers. Newcastle are a quality side so it's a good opportunity for lads to prove themselves."

 

Tommy Wright Former Toon Keepers

talking to The Journal he said:

"Of course that is what everyone is talking about. But, hey, it could have been just about any club in England and it’d still all be about Real Madrid. I think the tickets have sold OK for the Newcastle game. They’re still a big club and I’m sure there will be a big crowd but maybe not as big as there would have been a few years ago for a similar game. I’m excited about it, of course I am. We had a big league game on Friday so we’re all concentrating on that but any time I’m involved against Newcastle I look forward to it. It’s a crying shame where they are at the moment and I personally hope Alan comes back into it. You look at the managers since the Kevin Keegan years and for the most part they’ve been among the biggest names in European football. Kenny Dalglish, Bobby Robson, Ruud Gullit -– they might not all have worked but you need to be of a certain stature to manage Newcastle United."

On the Championship he said:

"It is like nothing they’ve experienced before, I’m sure of that. At Norwich last season we took four points off Wolves and didn’t get beat home or away by Birmingham – and they were the top two. But we still ended the season getting relegated. It goes without saying that any team in the division can beat any other team – that is borne out by the evidence of last season. But players also have to be prepared for every single game to be competitive, which isn’t always the case in the Premier League. The way that teams play in the Championship, it feels like there are six points available for a win rather than three. It’s a mental thing. Newcastle as it stands have better players than the other teams but they’ve got to be prepared for what’s about to happen. And wherever they go, they’ll be the biggest game of the season for the other team."

 

Ticket News

Tallaght Stadium) Adults £13, Juniors (U14s) £4.25, Student (14-18) £8.50, Over 65s £8.

 

Team News

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Tallaght Stadium

Tallaght Stadium is a purpose built, state-of-the-art stadium, which hosts Shamrock Rovers home games. With Phase 1 completed in March 2009, the stadium is set to become a hub of community activity in South Dublin County. Currently the stadium has a capacity of 3,500, but construction is underway on a second stand which is set to be completed this summer.

When the two stands are completed, Tallaght Stadium will have the capacity to host almost 7,000 spectators. The stadium is owned by the local authority, South Dublin County Council, with Shamrock Rovers as anchor tenants.

Located in the centre of Tallaght, on Whitestown Way, the stadium is easily accessible by public transport. The stadium is just a few minutes walk from the Red Luas line terminal at The Square Shopping Centre and numerous bus stops.

Transportation

Bus

• From Eden Quay & Templeogue: 49, 65, 65b
  From Eden Quay & Harold's Cross: 54a
  From Ringsend, Dolphin's Barn & Walkinstown: 50, 56a, 77, 77a
  From Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan & Firhouse: 75
  From Ballyfermot & Clondalkin: 76, 76a, 76b
  From City West: 50, 65b, 201, 202
  From Milltown & Dundrum: 48a to Broadford Walk (terminus), then 75 to Tallaght
  From Liffey Valley & Clondalkin: 210
  http://www.dublinbus.ie

Luas

• From Connolly & Heuston Stations
  http://www.luas.ie

Road

• Leave M50 at junction 11 (Sign: N81 Tallaght, City Centre)
  From roundabout, exit onto N81 (Sign: Blessington, Tallaght)
  Continue on N81 to the stadium
  http://www.aaroadwatch.ie