Top two face off as champions Bohs host Saints

IT MIGHT be a little too early to talk about championship six pointers, but there’s no doubt the most significant game of the fledgling season so far takes place at Dalymount Park this evening when unbeaten sides Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic go head-to-head at the top of the Airtricity League.

Pats have yet to concede a goal in five outings and are currently one point ahead of the champions with a game in hand. Both sides come into the game off the back of 0-0 draws in the league, Bohs held by 10-man Sligo and Pats sharing the spoils with Sporting Fingal.

But, going into this one, the Gypsies have also received the boost of a 2-1 comeback win over Linfield in the first leg of their Setanta Cup semi-final at the weekend, although manager Pat Fenlon believes the home side will need to improve on the quality of that performance if they are to get the better of Pete Mahon’s men tonight.

“We didn’t start the game properly, we just weren’t good enough,” he says. “We need to play better, we need to retain the ball better and we will need to work St Pat’s harder. Hopefully we’ll get that.”

Fenlon has an almost full squad to choose from, with only Steven Gray (ankle) ruled out and Anto Murphy (shoulder) doubtful. Mark Quigley, who started against Linfield, could be in the reckoning for a start against his former club, as Fenlon continues to try various combinations up-front.

Last season, Bohs and Pats shared 13 goals in the four games between them. Bohs collected nine points from a possible twelve with 3-0 and 3-1 wins at home along with a 2-0 win away. St Pat’s won 3-1 in the remaining game at Richmond Park.

Tonight’s match at Dalymount kicks off at 7.45pm.