Bohs and Rovers ready to provide derby treat
Champions and league leaders Rovers suffered a surprise defeat by Bray Wanderers last Friday but then got back to winning ways with victory over fellow title contenders Sligo Rovers in the Setanta Cup.
For Bohs, there’s the added incentive that a win would see them leapfrog Michael O’Neill’s team in the table.
Worryingly for the Hoops manager, ace striker Gary Twigg, along with Stephen O’Donnell and Craig Sives, are out with hamstring injuries, while Pat Flynn (virus) and Chris Turner (calf) are doubts.
But O’Neill is confident the Setanta win against Sligo has gotten the shock of the defeat to Bray out of his team’s system.
“It’s very positive for us to be going into this game on the back of a performance and result like Monday night’s,” he said.
“There has been a lot written and said about how young this Bohs side is, but our team is actually even younger. They also have plenty of experience in their ranks. There will be a big away support there tonight, with all our tickets sold out, and there should be a great atmosphere. Players relish nights like that, and they are all really looking forward to the game.”
Bohs boss Pat Fenlon acknowledged the traditional intensity of this Dublin derby but insists his players can’t allow themselves be distracted by the occasion.
“You know what the importance of this match is to supporters,” he said. “But you try not to get involved in that. You try to concentrate on getting the job done. If we can nick three points it will be great for us and will give us momentum in this series of tough games.
“This is the first time we’ve had Rovers here on a Friday night for a while. Everybody is looking forward to the game and the fact that the supporters will be quite close to each other should add to the atmosphere. I’d love to see our place full.”
At Oriel Park, Sligo Rovers — currently joint-top of the Premier Division table — will be looking to put that Setanta Cup defeat behind them when they take on a Dundalk side boosted by the news that striker Mark Quigley has been name the Airtricity/Soccer Writers Player of the Month for March.
Sligo boss Paul Cook claimed the loss to Shamrock Rovers was one of the worst he’d endured since taking over at the club while, for the Lilywhites, manager Ian Foster is taking charge of the team for the 100th time in all competitions.
And something is likely to give tonight since the Lilywhites are the only team in the Premier Division that can still boast an unbeaten home record while the Bit o’ Red remain undefeated on the road.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Bray Wanderers host Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds, Galway United welcome Derry City to Terryland Park and, at Richmond Park, St Patrick’s Athletic are at home to UCD.
In the Airtricity League First Division, Cork City face Finn Harps at Turner’s Cross and go into the game on the back of an excellent away win in Waterford.
City have a major doubt about Derek O’ Brien, who is struggling with a groin strain, but manager Tommy Dunne is still relishing the chance to keep up the pressure on leaders Shelbourne.
“Teams love coming to Turner’s Cross because there’s a great atmosphere and it’s a good place to play, but from our point of view, we need to make sure that we start the game well and try to impose our game on them,” he said.
“If we go about our business, concentrate and do things properly then I believe we will give ourselves a good chance of picking up the three points we are looking for.”
One point clear at the top — and with a game in hand over Cork — Shels are at home to Monaghan United (Tolka Park, 8pm) while, in tonight’s other First Division games, Mervue United play Limerick at Fahy’s Field and Wexford Youths host Athlone Town at Ferrycarrig Park (8pm).
All fixtures have a 7.45 kick-off unless stated otherwise.
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