Fenlon expecting tough test as Bohs bid to stay top

LEAGUE OF IRELAND Premier Division leaders Bohemians host Sligo Rovers this evening in an attempt to stay at the summit for the upcoming two-week summer break (all games 7.45pm unless stated).

Pat Fenlon’s side hammered Mayfield United 8-1 in the FAI Cup last week but their last league game ended in defeat against St Pat’s.

Fenlon has almost a full squad to choose from, with no injuries, and only Graham Carey out of contention due to a one-match suspension.

Sligo currently sit seventh, 15 points behind Bohs but are coming off Tuesday’s dramatic extra-time victory over Cork City in the cup.

“They are a good team, with good players. We have never had an easy match against them in my time with Bohs, ” Fenlon said.

Stephen Parkhouse is still out and is joined by Gavin Peers (thigh), Shaun Holmes (ankle), Jason Noctor and Richard Ryan (both suspended).

Following that cup exit, Cork City will be looking to end a run of five games without a win when they take on Dundalk at Turner’s Cross at 8pm in a match televised by Setanta Sports.

“The league is over 36 games, not 16, so there is still a long way to go.

“We have conceded a number of goals in our last few games, and unless we eradicate that, we are not going to win games,” admitted City boss Paul Doolin.

Robert Mezeckis, Davin O’Neill and Joe Gamble remain sidelined by injury, while Billy Dennehy missed out on the replay in Sligo with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature.

Dundalk will be looking to extend their winning streak to three matches when they travel to Leeside. However manager Sean Connor is down to the bare bones and he will have to include youth players on the bench once again.

Second placed Derry City meet struggling Bray Wanderers at the Brandywell and boss Stephen Kenny will be forced to plan without Stephen Gray (suspended), Tommy Stewart (thigh), Barry Molloy (ankle) and Liam Kearney (broken leg).

Chris Deans (foot injury), and Dave Webster (ankle), will definitely be absent for the visitors while there are doubts over Paddy Kavanagh, Derek Foran and Chris Shields.

The other top flight clash sees Drogheda United take on St Pat’s at United Park.

Meanwhile, First Division side Limerick will hold a public meeting this Sunday to discuss their ongoing financial concerns. The public meeting will take place at the Strand Hotel at 7pm.

A spokesman for the club has claimed that debts amount to less than a six figure sum but a number of reports have suggested that tonight’s game between Lims and Shelbourne at Jackman Park could bring the curtain down on the club’s 72-year involvement in Irish senior soccer.

However, the Lims spokesman insisted that the future “was bright for the club”, although he admitted that he wasn’t sure about the situation regarding present chairman Jack McCarthy.