League Preview: Bohemians -v- St Patrick's Athletic

BOHEMIANS

Keith Long’s team are searching for their first win of the new season after defeat at Finn Harps and a draw with Longford Town.

Bohs looked to be cruising to a comfortable win last Saturday after first half goals from Georgie Kelly and Ross Tierney but Longford Town staged a spirited comeback in the second half. 

Their first goal came from a Bohs error when Bastien Héry lost the ball cheaply.  The ball fell to Longford substitute Conor Davis who dribbled into the box and beat Talbot after leaving a number of Bohs defenders in his wake.  Davis completed the comeback when he scored another goal with four minutes remaining in the game to leave Bohs to rue some of the chances they missed. 

Bohemians manager Keith Long when speaking about this weekend’s game was keen that his team put their indifferent start to the season behind them.

“Tomorrow’s game is a chance for us to show our mettle. There is no doubt that we are all disappointed with our results and performances in the opening two games and there would be no better way to get our season fully up and running with a win against St Pat’s.”

The Gypsies will be without Stephen Mallon and Promise Omochere on Saturday but Conor Levingston and Bradley Rolt are back in contention for Keith Long as they recover from injury.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Pats make the short trip to Dalymount aiming to continue their unbeaten run in the league.

Stephen O’Donnell’s charges left it late last Saturday but it was still enough to get the victory at Richmond Park over Drogheda United. 



Substitute Billy King scored the last minute winner which sealed the 2-1 victory.

St Pats had taken the lead on  59 minutes when Ronan Coughlan scored but the former Bohemians & Pats player, Dinny Corcoran levelled the game for Drogheda shortly after his introduction. 

The result put the Saints in joint 3rd position in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division after two games with their opening day draw with Shamrock Rovers followed by victory over Drogheda United. 

Looking ahead to Saturday evening’s game, St Pats defender Sam Bone spoke to the clubs media team: “It’s a Dublin derby and it’s the third game in, so it’s going to be high intensity. They’re a difficult side to break down with some really good players and some really good additions to the side.

But if we can come into it and maintain our standards and play at an intensity then I don’t see why we can’t get the three points.”

Pats Head Coach Stephen O’Donnell was also positive about his team’s chances, while also appreciating the task ahead:



“I’m looking forward to it, we roll into another big game. Bohs have done well the past few years, so it’s going to be a very tough game. Our record wouldn’t be the greatest recently over them, so it’s something we are looking to rectify, but we know we are going to have to be at our best to get something from the game.

"Once kick-off comes at 6pm, it’s about the there and then!”

Shane Griffin and Cian Kelly are both injured and expected to miss Saturday’s game.

Referee: Neil Doyle 

MATCH STATS

The two league games between these two teams last season were both wins for Bohemians with a 2-0 victory at Dalymount followed by a 2-1 victory at Richmond Park.  

BETTING

Bohemians 9/5; Draw 2/1; St Patrick’s Athletic 29/20.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 1 St Patrick’s Athletic

 

Bohemians

Injured: Stephen Mallon (metatarsal), Promise Omochere (knee).

Doubtful: Conor Levingston (calf), Bradley Rolt (hamstring).

Suspended: None.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Shane Griffin (shoulder), Cian Kelly (foot).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

    About Paul Walsh

    Paul Walsh is a contributor to Bohemians' matchday programme and first wrote for Extratime.ie in 2011 View Full Profile