LOI preview: Dublin rivals clash at Dalymount Park.
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Loading... - Claude Garcon
- 22 Apr 2022
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Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers go into tonight's Dublin derby after making good strides in their respective targets in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division last Monday.
As always with these fixtures in north Dublin, the attendance could easily be treble of the just under 4,000 it will be this evening.
The Hoops welcomed 13,000 supporters between their two home games over the Bank Holiday, and more importantly added six points to the table courstest of 1-0 victories.
With Derry only adding a solitary one, the gap at the top is just one ahead of this round of games.
1-0 was also the scoreline in the last derby fixture when Rory Gaffney’s goal was enough against a Bohs side who didn’t reach their potential on the night.
That has the been the case for quite a bit of the season so far. However, the 4-1 demolition of Shelbourne on Monday showcased the attacking talent at Keith Long’s disposal.
Some clinical finishing helped Bohs and while they did give up chances, Long will be delighted by how his side put the game to bed, given they conceded an equaliser to a team with nine men just days earlier.
This match brings an altogether different task. At least now they bring confidence a base to build on.
A win could really transform the outlook at Dalymount Park. While Derry and the Hoops have opened up an advantage, the teams in behind continually take points off each other.
A home victory would cut the gap on Stephen Bradley’s side to five points. Bradley feels he can see his side finding their groove and the results also match that belief.
A win here would solidify their position and having faced two tricky home games, it would really hanker up the heat on Derry City.
The shock defeat to Shels did bring a response from Derry. They were unable to find a winning goal against a Drogheda side who are now unbeaten in six games.
The true test of Derry’s credentials will be if they can in through this series of games. UCD are the visitors tonight to the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
College are on the improve and will feel unlucky not to come away with something against St Patrick’s Athletic as a late own goal undid all their good work.
The Saints will be looking for an improve display as they welcome Finn Harps to Richmond Park. They sit in third place and hopeful of closing on the leaders should they drop points tonight.
A depleted Harps took Sligo Rovers all the way last Monday, showing great spirit when up against the odds.
In a Ollie Horgan outlook, a gallant defeat is still a defeat and the one win in 11 statistic is quite worrying now for all concerned in Donegal.
The final game of the night sees Shelbourne in happier surroundings as they go back on the road against Dundalk.
Unable to win at home so far this campaign, the high of winning in Derry was met with the low of the derby defeat to Bohs.
Dundalk are in a solid position under Stephen O’Donnell as they sit in the middle of the standings. The sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the campaign and another tight affair is likely.
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Courage and belief is the order of the day for Keith Long as their arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers visit Dalymount.
After conceding late goals in three of their previous four games, Bohs were a different animal on Monday in Tolka Park.
Long wants to see the right mentality first and foremost.
"Rovers are in great form and have quality players and a depth of squad unrivalled in this league.
"We will have to perform at our optimum tonight and that's a fantastic challenge for us.
"It’s essential we show great courage to retain belief."
James Finnerty (knee) is making progress but still a number of weeks away from full fitness, while Stephen Mallon (ankle) is likely to miss out.
Meanwhile, loanee JJ McKiernan has returned to Watford, with Long revealing it is by mutual agreement due to a lack of game time as he thanked the player.
For the Hoops, Graham Burke is fit as they bring a full squad into the game.
Stephen Bradley is excited by the occasion with the Hoops players clicking into top gear.
"It's always a difficult game. Dublin derbies are always difficult. We’ve had a few of them this year and they are always tight games and I don’t see this being any different.
"There's always more excitement, whether it’s Pat’s, Bohs or Shels. There’s always excitement around them. You do obviously feel that but we’ve got to make sure that we focus and do what we have been doing – and that’s performing.
"The game are always tetchy. They're always tight and competitive. You need a bit of luck on the night, that’s an obvious one in derby games. You need things to go your way and hopefully it goes our way in this one" Read More...
