Padraig Amond: Sligo will sneak it at the weekend

With our first home game of the season almost here, there is a lot of expecation being built thanks to it being a repeat of the FAI Cup Final in November, and getting off to a winning start this season in the Brandywell against Derry City. As you seen with yesterdays article, a number of players have played with both Rovers, and I recently spoke with one of them, striker Padraig Amond about his thoughts for the match at the weekend and the season ahead for both clubs.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn

First of all, I asked him about what he thinks of the squads for both teams for 2011, and he feels they have both improved: "I think both squads have improved on last season. Cookie has signed a good mix of experience and young players  in Jason McGuinness, Alan Kirby, Raf and Aaron Geene but his best signing is re-signing Richie Ryan as he is the best player in the league and one of the best I've ever played with. Michael has also signed some excellent players like Gary McCabe, Ciaran Kilduff, Gary O'Neill and Ronan Finn all who can score goals too, their squad is very strong this year."

I then moved on to this weekends clash, and he tips Sligo Rovers to "sneak it": "  I think the game is going to be another fantastic match and the atmosphere is going to be brilliant aswell in the Showgrounds. I think Sligo might sneak it at the weekend".

Finally, when asked the all important question on which of the Rovers will win the league this year, he believes Shamrock Rovers will retain their league title, but will face a tough fight to keep it: "I think Shamrock Rovers will win the league ,but only just, with Sligo running them very very close."

So, from a players point of view who has played for both clubs, Sligo Rovers will win the battle, but Shamrock Rovers will win the war. 

I'd also like to take this oppurtunity to wish Padraig Amond the best of luck for next month, when he and Pacos de Ferriera take on Benfica in the Bwin Cup Final.