Shels and Rovers hope to put the squeeze on Bohs

BOHEMIANS will begin to feel the heat of competition for the first time in this season’s Eircom League if Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers succeed in winning the two Dublin derby games tonight.

Shels welcome back their big centre-back Jim Gannon for their game against St Patrick's Athletic at Tolka Park (7.45pm) while Shamrocks will be able to call upon their centre-forward hot-shot Tony Grant for their game against UCD at Richmond Park (7.45pm).

Derry City felt the full brunt of Shelbourne's anger at their loss to Cork City last week when they went under 0-2 to Shels on Monday. The Dubliners are still smarting over their defeat in Cork for they are convinced the penalty that provided Cork with a winning goal should not have been awarded.

"We have put ourselves into a challenging position," said manager Pat Fenlon. "But Bohs' lead is such that we cannot afford to lose any more points.

Gannon missed the win over Derry because of his sending off against Cork which led to a one-match ban. Indeed Shels were fortunate not to lose their second centre-back, Barry Prendeville when he gave away a free late in the game but they must do without him anyway because of a hamstring injury.

Tony McCarthy was first choice centre-back until he sustained an injury eight weeks ago and fortunately for Shels he is fit to return if he is needed. He is likely to come straight into the team to partner Gannon.

Jim Crawford missed the game against Derry City because of the ankle injury that forced him off early in the game against Cork and he is again doubtful. This opens the way for U21 international Wes Hoolahan to play alongside Stuart Byrne in midfield.

St Pats have won just two of their last 12 games and they are still troubled by injuries. But good news for them is that Paul Osam and Mbabazi Livingstone are available again.

Manager Pat Dolan will be unable to call upon Willie Burke and Darragh Maguire because of injuries and centre-forward Liam Keddy and Philip Hughes face late fitness tests.

Shamrocks have gone 10 matches without a loss in the league and as a result they can pole-vault over Cork City into third position if they succeed in beating UCD.

Manager Liam Buckley will have noted UCD's recent improved results and yesterday he stressed how cautious they needed to be.

"Bohs are so far in front that any thoughts of winning the title are a bit of a long shot, but we will give it our best shot" he said.

Centre-back Pat Scully is on the transfer list but so far there have not been any offers for the experienced defender.

Richie Byrne, usually at left-back, is likely to continue in the heart of the defence alongside Terry Palmer while Scully remains listed with James Keddy dropping deeper to play at full-back.

Rovers await fitness tests on Jason Colwell and Derek Tracey.

UCD confirmed manager Paul Doolin's evaluation of their worth by winning four points from their last two games against two of the top teams in the competition a 1-0 win over Cork City was quickly followed by a 1-1 draw with Bohemians.

Now they aim to add to the momentum they have created.