League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

Bohemians

Bohemians kick off their 2022 league season as they welcome Dundalk to Dalymount Park. Following last week’s postponement of their game against Sligo Rovers, it is the first chance for Keith Long’s men to show their credentials for the season ahead. 

The goals of Georgie Kelly helped propel Bohs to European qualification last season and while his loss will be felt, along with the departures of players such as the promising Andy Lyons and Ross Tierney, the iconic Keith Buckley and model defender Rob Cornwall, the recruitment of Ryan Cassidy on loan from Watford and the return of Jordan Flores to the League of Ireland may prove to be canny acquisitions.

Along with Cassidy, another two loanees have arrived in the shape of defender Grant Horton and midfielder JJ McKiernan. Kris Twardek has returned to the club while ex Derry City and Sligo Rovers forward Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has been signed on a multi-year deal with Dubliner Jordan Doherty signing after spending time playing professionally in the United States. Former Treaty United netminder Tadhg Ryan has moved to Dublin and will provide a challenge to current number 1 James Talbot.

Despite the influx of new signings, it is the attacking midfield trio of Dawson Devoy, Ali Coote and Liam Burt who may be key in any success Bohemians may have this season. Their ability to link up with Promise Omochere- destined for a more prominent role this season, following impressive showings when deputising for Kelly last season- will be crucial in determining how well the team perform in 2022.

Speaking with club media ahead of the Dundalk game, defender Tyreke Wilson was looking forward to the fixture as well as highlighting the importance of the Dalymount Park crowd, “We know Dundalk had a good result against Derry. It’s good that we’ve had another week to prepare and set our base on Dundalk and set our game plan.” 

“It’s going to be tough, we know what Dundalk are going to come with but we have a full crowd there in Dalymount and it’s going to be bouncing. It’s only going to bring energy to us as players.”

Dundalk

Unlike their Dublin counterparts, Dundalk kicked off their league campaign with a home draw against Derry City at Oriel Park last weekend. The game, which pitched two former Lilywhite league title winners against each other, was a frantic encounter and the Candystripes may feel that they were unlucky not to take all three points having crashed the woodwork twice in the closing moments of the game.

For the Lilywhites, they will be looking to build on last week’s performance which saw eight starting debuts handed out and goals coming from two of those. Defender Mark Connolly, on loan from Dundee United until the summer, bundled home from a corner while another temporary recruit from Scotland was the other goalscorer. Hibernians loanee Steven Bradley opened the scoring for the Louth outfit in the first half, the highlight of an impressive showing from the winger.

Stephen O’Donnell’s outfit showed plenty of positive attacking play at Oriel Park last week with newcomers Joe Adams and Dan Williams heavily involved- indeed it was a threaded ball from the latter which set up Bradley for the opener on the night. However, at the other end, the concession of two goals shortly after each occasion they scored themselves may be something O’Donnell has addressed this week in training. 

Ex UCD midfielder Paul Doyle was another to deubt in last Friday's match and the Westport native was speaking with his club media yesterday ahead of tonight’s fixture, “It’s kind of like a first game of the season because they didn’t play last week. Dalymount is going to be packed and they’ll bring a big crowd but we’ll just have to keep going up levels week by week.” 

It’s not about rising up for the first game of the season and then letting it drop off, you have to keep going through the gears and getting better and improving each week and hopefully tomorrow we can take it up a notch and see where that takes us.”

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Both managers turned out for the opposition during their playing career- Stephen O’Donnell was part of the Bohemians squad which won the league title in 2008 while Keith Long lifted the 1994-95 league trophy at Oriel Park in his second of three seasons at the club.

Last season, Bohemians recorded two league wins over Dundalk- a Georgie Kelly penalty separating the sides in the first Oriel Park encounter before Bohs won 5-1 in the return fixture, Kelly grabbing a hat trick at Dalymount Park. The final league fixture between the sides saw Dundalk take all three points at Oriel Park.

There are a number of players in the squads who have played for both sides- Keith Ward recently returned to Dundalk after leaving for Bohemians following the conclusion of the Lilywhites' 2014 title winning season while Jordan Flores is now playing with the Phibsboro’ outfit after a spell in English league football. His time at Dundalk saw a number of high profile goals, including an effort against Bohs’ fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers at the beginning of the 2020 season which ended up on social media across the world.

PREDICTION:

Bohemians 1- 1 Dundalk

Bohemians

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: John Mountney 

Doubtful: Darragh Leahy

Suspended: None