Shamrock Rovers eye long-awaited title

Shamrock Rovers can all but secure their first league title in 16 years with victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park tonight (kick-off 7.05pm).

Dan Murray, Sean O’Connor and Pat Sullivan all remain out for Rovers as they are all struggling with knee injuries.

Tommy Stewart (Achilles) will face a fitness test before the game, while James Chambers comes back into the fold after missing last Friday night’s match with an ankle injury.

Danny Murphy and Robert Bayly are suspended after they both received red cards on Friday night.

Hoops boss Michael O’Neill said: “These are the games we look forward to as players, managers and coaches. We have always reacted positively to disappointments, which obviously was what Friday night was, and we’ll be looking to do that again. It’s a big game, and exactly the type in which the players like to be involved.

“There will big a big crowd of our supporters there and there is no doubt they will back us all the way. We understand what this means to them, and we will do our best to ensure they are not disappointed.

“Bohs have to win this game. But we will be going there to win too with the aim of putting ourselves in a great position to go on and win the league.”

Bohs manager Pat Fenlon faces a number of selection issues ahead of the clash with fierce rivals Rovers.

Killian Brennan and Conor Powell return from suspension but Gareth McGlynn (calf), Owen Heary (hamstring) and Jason McGuinness (hamstring) will not be available.

Anto Murphy and Steven Gray (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Fenlon said: “I can’t wait for the match, to be honest. It’s the first match between the sides in the night for a while and we’re looking forward to it.

“We need to get the Jodi full with as many supporters as we can and make a lot of noise and make a decent atmosphere.

“These games mean a lot to both players and managers. The players will be up for the match. We need to win, simple as that.”