Bohs going all out for perfect ten without injured boss

BOHEMIANS’ manager Gareth Farrelly will again occupy a seat on the substitutes’ bench when they attempt to extend their unbeaten run in the eircom League to ten matches against Longford Town at Dalymount Park tonight (7.45 pm).

Farrelly played his first five minutes for Bohs when he came in as substitute against Cork City last week on his way back from a hamstring injury but he feels he needs another couple of weeks rehabilitation before he can expect to play regularly.

Bohs are still some way below the level they hit two years ago when they dominated the competition but their long unbeaten run has done wonders for confidence. How they must be regretting their stuttering start to the season when they allowed Shelbourne open up a substantial gap at the head of the table.

Farrelly, who will probably find a place in central midfield when he recovers full fitness, admitted that he will have problems maintaining a satisfactory balance within the team when that happens. James Keddy has been consistently good in the position alongside Keith Hunt in recent weeks.

Keddy made his reputation as a left-winger and occasional full-back but of his influence in midfield Farrelly said: “He has been playing very well and I could not leave him out of the team just now.”

Bohs have not lost in the league since June but a match against Longford will test them. Longford’s good run in the FAI Cup and their success in the League Cup has finally paid off with more consistent performances in the league.

Their win over Drogheda United at United Park last week reflected well on the ability within the team and on their renowned team spirit.

Longford manager Alan Matthews is delighted to find his injured players gradually overcoming their problems and returning to action. He will have John Martin and Barry Ferguson back in his squad tonight.

Longford will play Drogheda in the semi-final of the Cup next week but Matthews insisted: “There is no danger of us not putting it in against Bohs because of the cup match. Knowing our lads and the competition for places at the moment, they will be bursting a gut to turn over Bohs.”

Leaders Shelbourne continue to churn out good performances and good results even with the distraction of their matches in Europe. They should have little trouble in maintaining their five points lead at the head of the table by beating Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park (7 pm) tonight.

The match is a critical one for Rovers who are just nine points above bottom club Dublin City and know they will have to play Dublin in the final series of matches at the end of the season.

Rovers are forced to find replacements for Irish U21 international defender, Paul Malone, James McGuinness and goalkeeper Russell Payne with Keith Doyle, Trevor Crolly and former Cork goalkeeper Noel Mooney expected to fill the gaps.

Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin will look to his team to recover from their defeat by Longford when they play Waterford United tonight at United Park (7.45 pm).

Drogheda lost valuable ground when they went under 1-0 for their first defeat in seven league matches.

Doolin said: “I was disappointed but I’m not going to criticise the players, they have been wonderful all season.”