Derby best way for O’Neill to dispel hangover
A big day for the Hoops starts with the Europa League play-off round draw, following their exit from the Champions League against FC Copenhagen in Tallaght.
“After the disappointment of Tuesday night, a game like this is exactly what the players need,” says Rovers boss Michael O’Neill.
Chris Turner and Pat Sullivan are suspended for Rovers, while Ken Oman (knee) and Karl Sheppard (ankle) remain out of the squad. Stephen O’Donnell has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and there is also a doubt over Gary McCabe following Tuesday’s defeat.
Bohemians are also coming off the back of a European setback, but manager Pat Fenlon has taken great satisfaction from the performances of his team over the two legs against Olimpija Ljubljana. In particular, Fenlon believes the display in Dalymount against the Slovenian side showed his team are “a match for anybody”.
Bohs will be without Anto Flood and Stephen Traynor, while Mark Rossiter is struggling for fitness following the recurrence of a hamstring injury. The better news is that defender Liam Burns has returned to training despite suffering a serious blow to the head during the game against the Slovenians.
Meanwhile, in the First Division, it’s the biggest game of the season so far at Turner’s Cross tonight, as Cork City host leaders Shelbourne (7.45pm).
For the hosts, currently in second place on the same number of points as Monaghan United, the challenge this evening is to make inroads into Shels’ 10-point lead at the top as well as reinforce their own promotion claims.
City’s last outing saw them win 3-1 at Longford Town, a result which delighted manager Tommy Dunne.
However, he knows Shelbourne, unbeaten on the road this season, will present a more formidable challenge.
But then the Rebels’ Achilles heel so far this campaign has been precisely an inability to convert draws into wins which, given that both of these clubs have lost only one game each in the league this season, accounts for that large gap going into tonight’s game.
City have no injury worries but will be without full-back Neal Horgan because of GAA commitments.
Shels have no injury problems either but will be without suspended skipper Dave McGill. The Dubliners head to Cork on a great run of 13 games unbeaten in the league, their last victory a 4-1 drubbing of Salthill Devon. But manager Alan Mathews is quick to acknowledge the opposition on Leeside is bound to provide a much sterner examination of Shels’ title credentials.
“It’s a great match to go and play,” says the one-time City boss. “But if you want to challenge yourselves and test yourselves, you want to test yourselves against the best.”
Tonight’s other Premier Division games see Bray Wanderers hosting Drogheda United and Galway United at home to Derry City (both 7.45pm).
In the First Division, Limerick travel to Waterford United (7.45pm) and Monaghan United welcome Athlone Town (8pm).
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