Bohemians set for fitting finale as Murphy enjoys swan song at Seagulls

BOHEMIANS will take a walk down Coronation Street in Bray tonight when the champions elect finally get their hands on a second League of Ireland title in a row.

Barring a swing in goal difference which would have to defy the laws of physics, Pat Fenlon’s men will deservedly be crowned champions at the Carlisle Grounds on a night when goalkeeper Brian Murphy will be making his last appearance for the Gypsies.

The Number 1, a hero of last year’s league and cup double, says that retaining the title is an even greater achievement, especially in the light of arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers having pushed his team all the way.

“Yeah it is,” he says, “because in fairness they’ve been on a great run, and I think everyone wanted to see them win the league. When you’re the champions, everyone’s against you. But it was great to finish it off last Friday. I know we haven’t won it mathematically yet, but it’s a nice way to do it.”

Murphy, widely tipped to join Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town, reflects with satisfaction on the way his time in Phibsborough helped breathe new life into his career.

“My career was going nowhere in England when I decided to leave Swansea,” he recalls. “For different reasons, I wasn’t getting the games I thought I deserved. I was very disillusioned with the game, but coming back here, I got closer to home, it was a fresh start and it’s really gone well. It’s the worst kept secret that I’m leaving. I just want to enjoy the celebrations here now.”

With Bohs and Rovers nailing down first and second, Cork City can secure third place and European football tonight when they travel to Terryland Park to take on a Galway United side who will want to avoid getting sucked into the relegation play-off.

City boss Paul Doolin said: “Galway have done very well this season, and they also need to get a result, so they will certainly put it up to us. We’ve been excellent over the past few weeks with the exception of the Bohs game. We’ve beaten Derry, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, and we’re nearly there, so we just need to ensure that we get a result tonight. I think if we do secure European qualification then we will have deserved it. The problems this season have been well documented, and to finish third and qualify for Europe would be a fitting reward for the efforts of all involved.”

Cup finalists Sligo Rovers, who are home to Drogheda United, and St Patrick’s Athletic, who host Shamrock Rovers in Richmond Park, are the other two clubs anxious to avoid being paired with the Drogs in the relegation play-off. As Pats boss Pete Mahon puts it: “There’s been a few twists and turns over the league campaign and it’s not over yet.”

Especially not with fresh uncertainty about Derry City’s Premier Division status casting a shadow over the race for third place as well as the battle to escape the drop.

Tonight, the Candystripes are in Oriel Park to take on a Dundalk side whose own season has not been without upheaval behind the scenes. But yesterday the Louth club strongly denied a newspaper report that the players had twice refused to train this week.

Describing the report as “reprehensible”, a statement attributed to the first-team management and players said: “Sean Connor and the players wish to make it clear that they remain fully committed to Dundalk FC and are looking forward to finishing the season on a high when they welcome Derry City to Oriel Park.”

All tonight’s Premier Division games kick off at 7.45pm.