Duff: No fixture has edge like Bohs v Shels

Shelbourne can move closer to a first league title for 18 years if they beat Bohemians to go six clear

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shelbourne and Bohemians at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024 - 19:28

John Fallon

As the evenings close in, Shelbourne can move closer to a first league title for 18 years if they beat Bohemians to go six clear at the Premier Division summit.

The rearranged fixture at Dalymount Park will bring Damien Duff’s Reds level with rivals Derry City on matches played, each having seven remaining afterwards.

Bohs have their own motivation after stopping the rot of a 10-match winless run in the league by beating champions Shamrock Rovers last Sunday.

“The one thing I’m certain of, there are a lot of big football matches in Dublin this week, but without a doubt, the biggest of them all is Shelbourne versus Bohs,” declared Duff, relegating Saturday’s meeting of Ireland and England to second place.

“This fixture has pure edge. Other derbies in the country just don’t have it in the same way and can’t replicate it.

“The edge in a Bohs v Shels game is unrivalled; there’s nothing quite like it. It means a lot to the players, staff, and supporters, and we know what we have to do to win it.”

It also comes a fortnight on from an unseemly pre-match clash between the managers. Alan Reynolds barged into Duff’s office before the 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, the First Division title race will be over with six games left if Cork City beat UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

“UCD are the best team we have played this season,” City boss Tim Clancy pointed out. “I think if you look at the points difference between us and them at the minute, it wouldn’t be anywhere near as much if Ronan Finn didn’t miss the amount of games he did through injury.”

FRIDAY’S LOI FIXTURES (All 7.45pm):

Premier Division: Bohemians v Shelbourne, Dalymount Park.

First Division: Athlone Town v Finn Harps, Athlone Town Stadium; Cobh Ramblers v Wexford, St Colman’s Park; Longford Town v Bray Wanderers, Bishopsgate; Treaty United v Kerry FC, Markets Field; UCD v Cork City, Belfield.