Rovers’ revival faces acid test in Dalymount showdown

ONLY two games into the season but already the day dawns on another red letter date in the League of Ireland calendar.

Having dominated the headlines for the opening of their new home inTallaght last week, Shamrock Rovers tonight head to the familiar setting of Dalymount Park (kick off 7.35pm, all other games 7.45pm) for what is surely the most keenly-contested derby in Irish football – although Dundalk and Drogheda United, who also meet this evening, might beg to differ.

The RTE cameras and an expected big crowd will be on hand to see champions Bohemians host Rovers, with both managers fully understanding the significance of the occasion.

“This is as big a game as we’re likely to face all season, so we’re relishing the opportunity to play the champions on their own patch,” says Hoops boss Michael O’ Neill. “The fact that it’s Rovers-Bohs makes it even better.” His Phibsborough counterpart Pat Fenlon once played for Rovers and clearly feels more warmth towards tonight’s opposition than would a good many of his side’s supporters.

“I think most genuine supporters can appreciate what Rovers have been through and will wish them well in Tallaght,” he says. “I think they deserve their success. With four or five similar new grounds in the league, the domestic game would be in a much healthier position.

“Looking to the game, I believe that Rovers could turn out to be title contenders this year. Michael O’Neill is a very good manager and he has a decent squad of players.

“The three former Drogheda players brought in were very impressive signings.”

Fenlon will be forced to reshuffle his troops tonight with captain Owen Heary suspended. Brian Shelley is finally on course to make his competitive start for Bohs in place of the skipper while Jason Byrne will be expected to start upfront as a replacement for the injured Neale Fenn.

Bohs will also be without Killian Brennan (rib) while Mark Rossiter (ankle) remains a doubt. For Rovers, there are doubts about Sean Webb (ankle) and Stephen Bradley (hamstring) but, otherwise, Michael O’Neill can choose from a full squad.

At the Brandywell, Derry City, who held Bohs to a draw in Dublin last week, will be looking to continue their solid start to the season against a Cork City side seeking to bounce back after losing 0-1 to St Pat’s at home.

Says Rebels boss Paul Doolin: “Everyone knows that facing Derry City at The Brandywell is a tough task. Derry are a decent team, they have signed some good players over the close season and they have started well. To be fair to ourselves, I feel we should have got something out of both games we have played so far. Against St. Pat’s last Friday we conceded a bad goal early on, but I think we dominated the game after that and I think we deserved to get something out of the game.”

City’s injury problems continue to mount. Following the unwelcome news that new signing Stephen O’ Donnell is likely to be out for six months with a cruciate ligament injury, Latvian defender Robert Mezeckis is now set to miss four weeks having picked up an ankle injury in last Friday’s match at Turner’s Cross. And tonight, Cork will also have to do without the suspended Pat Sullivan.

Former City winger Liam Kearney will come up against his old club at The Brandywell but Candystripes manager Stephen Kenny will be without the suspended duo of Clive Delaney and Barry Molloy while both Sammy Morrow and David Scullion will undergo late fitness tests.

While Bohs against Rovers might hog the headlines, Oriel Park will be the scene of another big meeting of rivals – the first Louth derby in eight years between Dundalk and Drogheda United.

Drogs boss Alan Mathews has a full squad to choose from but Sean Connor will again be without Michael Collins due to problems with his international clearance. The club have now referred the matter to FIFA.

And in tonight’s other Premier Division game, surprise leaders Galway United visit the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers. For the Tribesmen, injured midfielder John Russell continues his recovery and is not available while Jonathan Keane is taking a break from football for a few weeks.

For Bray, Paul Byrne is suspended but otherwise Eddie Gormley has a full panel to choose from.