Bohs get opportunity to complete miraculous comeback against Shels
Bohs trailed Shels by a whopping 13 points at one stage but a remarkable run that produced 42 from a possible 54 points has shot them right back into contention. With five series of matches left, it is clear that a win tonight would have a decisive impact.
It is just the position that manager Stephen Kenny was hoping to achieve once Bohs put their indifferent start to their defence of the title behind them and completed their involvement in European competition.
He insisted however, that the result of tonight’s game would not be conclusive in the context of the title race. - “It is a pivotal game, there’s no denying that,” he said, “but we are not looking on it as a title decider. Our emphasis is to look upon it as an opportunity to extend our good run.”
Shelbourne have stood up well to the challenge that inevitably faces the league leaders by winning nine and drawing three of their last 15 matches.
Manager Pat Fenlon adopted the same low-key approach as that of Kenny when he said: “It is obviously an important game but we will treat it as any other game. We have played well against Bohs this season but haven’t had the rub of the green, particularly at Dalymount.”
Richie Baker will be missing from the Shels’ team because of suspension and U21 international Wesley Hoolihan will play on the right side of midfield. Bohs will be near full-strength as well but Jason McGuinness is suspended and they have worries over the fitness of centre-back Colin Hawkins.
Four teams play tonight with designs on finishing third in the table and clinching a place in the Inter Toto Cup - Cork City, Shamrock Rovers, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Waterford United.
Cork play Derry City at Turner’s Cross (7.45) with a slight advantage over the others but Pats have two games in hand and are just five points behind. Cork have matches away to Shelbourne and home to Drogheda United to finish their programme and will need to win tonight if they are to hold off the others.
Manager Pat Dolan will have to plan without Kevin Murray and Colin T. O’Brien, who are both suspended, and is likely to give Nigernian Michael Nwankwo his first start in midfield. He has slight worries about the fitness of Billy Woods and Liam Kearney.
Derry will be without four of their regulars - Liam Coyle, Peter Hutton, Sean Friars and Billy Cleary.
St. Pat’s face a tough challenge at Flancare Park where Longford Town will be keen to repeat their FAI Cup final success (8.00). Longford need the points to ensure they do not slip into relegation trouble over the final two weeks of the season and manager Alan Matthews must plan without the suspended Graham Gartland.
Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United meet at Tolka Park (7.45) with both teams hell-bent on maintaining their challenge for third position.
At the lower end of the table UCD play hosts to Drogheda United at Belfield (7.45).
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