Bohs and Rovers set to resume capital rivalry in top flight
And in recognition of the heightened tension and drama which tends to surround this fixture, both clubs took the unusual step of hosting a joint press conference yesterday, attended by the respective managers, captains and officials.
Noel Mooney, the FAI’s National Coordinator of Club Promotions Officers, was also on hand to promote the game as “a showpiece for the new eircom League of Ireland”. To that end, each paying adult can bring three children free into the ground this evening, as the League seeks to maximise attendance for the renewing of a long-running Dublin rivalry.
Rovers are in fourth place and Bohs in eighth in the Premier Division but both sides are missing some key personnel. Bohs will be without Liam Burns (concussion) and Owen Heary and Kevin Hunt, both of whom are suspended. In the absence of Hunt, Glen Crowe will captain the side and look to build on the goal which gave the Gypsies their first win of the campaign against Waterford United last week.
Boss Connor admitted: “It was nice to get our first win, away from home, and also to keep a clean sheet. We’ve defended reasonably well but haven’t played as an attacking force yet. But that takes time when you’ve brought in so many new players. Tonight is our game in hand so it’s an opportunity for us to close the gap on the people who are running away.”
Pat Scully is also expecting more from his young team who tonight will be without injured skipper Aidan Price and centre-half Danny O’Connor. Andy Myler and Paul Shiels are also in the sick bay but Barry Ferguson and David Cassidy are available again after serving one-match bans.
Said Scully: “Results have been okay, especially since we haven’t been playing particularly well. But that will only last for so long, especially when you come against really good teams. It’s taken us a little bit of time to adapt to the Premier League. But once we start playing to our potential, we’ll be fine.”
The Bohs-Rovers rivalry has been marred by some crowd trouble outside grounds in recent years and there were further incidents last season when Rovers overcame their arch rivals in the FAI Cup.
Yesterday, both managers appealed for good behaviour tonight.
Said Sean Connor: “We want our fans to be passionate and noisy but to support the team in the right manner.”
Pat Scully added: “I don’t think you can take the heat out of games like this but we look for people to be responsible. The rivalry should mostly be on the pitch.”
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