Bohs and Shels face off

Bad blood between Bohemians and Shelbourne will be able to resurface quickly when the two sides meet again for the second time in a week at Tolka Park tonight (7.35pm).

Officials from the two clubs have been conducting a slanging match all week over attempts by Shels to get Monday night’s game postponed to ease their fixture congestion.

In a physical encounter at Dalymount Park, Bohemians upset champions and premier division leaders Shelbourne 2-0 but lost wideman Stephen Ward to ankle ligament damage.

Ward will miss tonight’s game and faces three to four weeks on the sidelines, opening up the possibility of a return to the team for skipper Kevin Hunt following suspension with James Keddy moving out to the wing to accommodate Hunt in the middle.

Shelbourne, who still maintain an eight-point lead at the top of the eircom League, will be missing only long-term absentee Joseph Ndo. The Cameroon midfielder underwent surgery on Thursday to correct a groin problem.

The game is to be televised on RTE Network 2 tonight and fans have been advised to take note of the slightly earlier than usual kick-off time.