Bohs braced for tough Cork test
While Bohs beat UCD last week, City shared the spoils in a scoreless draw with Limerick, a result with which manager Tommy Dunne – who has John Dunleavy back in contention this evening — expresses satisfaction.
“This time of the year, it is more about grinding out results,” he says. “People might not think it, but we had a good result in Limerick. We probably had the chances to win it, but we picked up a draw away from home at a tough venue against a tough team. If we can get a win against Bohs, then it won’t have been a bad start.”
Bohs manager Aaron Callaghan admits he’s delighted to be playing against new opposition, having had a trilogy of encounters with UCD, and expects Cork to provide a stiff test.
“They’ve spent wisely, brought in a lot of players,” he says. “They have quite a decent budget down there by all accounts and we’re expecting nothing but a tough game. I watched their draw [against Limerick] and I think it was pretty even. We’re looking forward to it.”
Having impressed in their first outing on their return to the top-flight, new-look Limerick take to the road to face Drogheda United tonight. Pat Purcell is suspended again for the Blues while Dominic Foley, who missed the Cork game through injury, is rated a 50-50 chance.
“I have a few injuries going into the game, but this is what I have a big squad for,” says Drogheda manager Mick Cooke. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere at Hunky Dorys Park as Limerick will no doubt bring great support. I watched their 0-0 draw with Cork on Sunday and they are very formidable opposition. Stuart Taylor has them playing good football and they are going to challenge any team this season.”
In a Dublin derby, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2, Shamrock Rovers host St Patrick’s Athletic, as new manager Trevor Croly faces his former side for the first time as Hoops manager.
“It is great to be back at home for our first league game at Tallaght Stadium this season,” he says. “We’re very much looking forward to the tie and to this weekend in general, as we take on Bohs on Monday.”
Rovers shared the points with Dundalk on opening night while Liam Buckley’s side, who beat Drogheda 1-0 in Inchicore, are going in search of their first league win in Tallaght in three years.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Shelbourne host Dundalk and UCD are at home to Derry City.
In the First Division, Cobh Ramblers travel to Finn Harps full of confidence after marking their return to senior football with a thumping 5-0 victory over Wexford Youths.
And Peter Hutton, pleased with his own side’s opening 1-1 draw in Waterford, reckons Cobh’s win was no one-off. “I fully expect Cobh to be dark horses this year and will do a lot better than what many people predicted,” says the Harps boss. For us, we will look to the positives from the Waterford game and try to work on eradicating the silly mistakes. ”
In tonight’s other First Division fixtures, there’s a Galway derby as Mervue United host Salthill while Wexford Youths are at home to Athlone Town.
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