Rovers hoping Bohs slip-up can hand them sixth Premier Division crown in seven years

THE BOSS: Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Green ribbons will be attached to the Premier Division trophy on Friday at Tallaght Stadium in case a Bohemians slip-up hands Shamrock Rovers their sixth crown in seven years.

Neutrals will hope the destiny of the mantle extends until the final day, as he did two years in a spectacular climax for Damien Duff’s Shelbourne, but his remaining Reds could have a role in this year’s version.

Shels stalled the gallop of St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday by coming from behind to win and they’re another title dream to crush in their sights at Dalymount Park.

Once leaders Hoops beat already relegated Sligo Rovers, the only way of Bohs staying alive into the final week is overcoming their Dublin rivals.

Observers will be monitoring both games, the one at Tallaght finishing 15 minutes later due to the traditional 8pm start at Tallaght.

Sligo do have fond recent history there by winning in May but haven’t won on the road since as their top-flight tenure of 21 years was ended by relegation.

“Sligo will have a go and if we’re not at it, as we weren’t last Friday, we’ll get beaten,” said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, referring to their 2-0 loss at Galway United.

“That’s this league. It’s unforgiving, so we need to be ready to go.

“It’s in our hands. We know that if we win two games, we win the league. It’s that simple.”

Rovers will be without suspended Michael Noonan. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

This week’s suspension list confirmed Rovers will be without Michael Noonan, Naj Razi and Danny Grant. Bohs will also be missing their captain Dawon Devoy arising from the same incident, a melee which broke out at the end of their meeting last Monday week.

Both managers were in rare agreement that the League of Ireland’s protracted process of adding games to automatic one-match suspensions is outdated.

Amid that fracas and 2-1 win for Rovers, Bradley dismissed the title challenge of Bohs. Last weekend’s results changed the landscape on that but Bohs are aware that only six points against Shels and St Pat’s, coupled with a defeat by Rovers against Sligo or at Dundalk on the final night, will engineer an epic late steal.

“We knew after defeat against Rovers that it would be a big climb but all we can do is focus on ourselves,” said Gypsies chief Alan Reynolds, also without Adam McDonnell due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

“Shels are a strong team and have their own ideas for disrupting us. Dalymount will be bouncing on Friday and we’ve to make the most of that.” 

John Russell’s visitors cannot retain their European spot as the fourth berth will go to one of the FAI Cup finalists, Derry City or Waterford. They can, however, consolidate their fourth place ahead of Derry by racking up their third successive victory. 

Club captain Paddy Barrett will again be absent, having been frozen out by Russell shortly after his appointment in July. It’s understood Barrett could be heading for Bohemians, linking up with fellow Waterfordman Reynolds for their 2027 tilt.

PREMIER DIVISION: Bohemians v Shelbourne, Dalymount Park; Derry City v Drogheda United, Ryan McBride Brandywell; Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic, Eamonn Deacy Park; Waterford v Drogheda United, RSC; Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers, Tallaght Stadium (8pm).