League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians

Shamrock Rovers have been through a turbulent few weeks with the departure of Pat Fenlon following two-year period as manager, coupled with the fact that Rovers bowed out of European competition, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Finnish side RoPS Rovaniemi.

 

As it stands, former Rovers midfielder Stephen Bradley has been charged with leading the Hoops on a caretaker basis. His task will be to achieve European football for Ireland’s most successful club ahead of 2017.

 

However, his immediate concern will be his maiden league encounter as Hoops manager, which is also the small matter of Irish football’s fiercest rivalry: Shamrock Rovers vs Bohemians.

 

Bradley was optimistic ahead of the game, but he stressed how important the result is to the supporters and backed his side to feed off the energy coming from what is expected to be a raucous Tallaght support tomorrow evening.

 

Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie: “We know how big of a game that is, we need to win the game tomorrow. We need to start well, build momentum and get the crowd behind us, and if we do that then the players can start to feel that

energy. They [the fans] just want to see a team giving everything and playing attacking football and that’s what we’ll try and do.

 

“I have full confidence that if we show up tomorrow night with the right attitude and desire that we’ll win the game. Winning games like tomorrow night's, those memories live with you forever, we need to try and get them back.”

 

Bohs will head across Dublin on Friday night seeking to extend their recent unbeaten league record to six matches when they take on their deadly old adversaries, Shamrock Rovers.

 

Keith Long’s side will be seeking vengeance for the 4-0 throttling they were on the end of from the Hoops at Dalymount Park in April. The Gypsies allowed Rovers to run away with a game that seemed in the balance up until Gary McCabe sublimely sent the Hoops into an interval advantage that they refused to give up.

 

For large parts of 2016, Bohs have disappointed. Expectations were high following on from last term’s credible exploits which saw Long’s men amass 53 points, securing fifth place in the process having been in the hunt for a Europa League place for a lengthy chunk of the campaign.

 

As a consequence of the acquisitions of Dundalk double winner Kurtis Byrne and Longford Town winger Ayman Ben Mohamed, Bohs were expected to rival the European chasing pack even more so this year. However, having lost six of their opening eleven league games, it was evident that European football could no longer be the objective.

 

Instead, a top-half finish appears to be the sole aim for Bohs in league terms. A win tomorrow night could be the catalyst for such a push, while it could also set the wheels in motion for a strong cup run.

 

Focusing on revenge would be futile, according to Bohs manager, Long. He would rather focus on maintaining their longest undefeated run of 2016.

 

Long told bohemianfc.com: “It’s a big game for both sets of players and both sets of supporters. Neither side will need extra motivation going into a derby game.

 

“But we have to be clinical, do our jobs right and go out and give a performance.

 

“Confidence is good but there can’t be any passengers. We want to go out to Tallaght and have a go.”

 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

 

 

The last scoreless draw between Rovers and Bohs came in March 2015 at Tallaght Stadium, with the sides drawing 1-1 at the south Dublin venue late last season.

 

Rovers haven’t won a league fixture at home since May 10th, a 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers, while Bohs have won their last two league matches on the road.

 

Bohs trio Paddy Kavanagh, Mark Quigley and Derek Pender are all former Rovers players, while Hoops men Barry Murphy, Luke Byrne and Killian Brennan have all represented the Gypsies.

 

 

Shamrock Rovers evens; Draw 9/4; Bohemians 11/4.

 

 

Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Bohemians.

 

 

Injured: Luke Byrne, Danny North and Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Gary McCabe.

 

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.