League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Bohemians

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne entertain North Dublin rivals Bohemians in Tolka Park on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Damien Duff’s Reds are fresh from inflicting a first league defeat of the season on Derry City last Friday night. Goals from Shane Farrell and Brian McManus saw the Dubliners win a 2-1 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium and pick up their eleventh point on the road this season.

At home, it has been a different story with the only point taken from home games in 2022 coming courtesy of a late Sean Boyd pen in a 1-1 draw with Dundalk. On the last occasion they played at Tolka Park, they were within minutes of holding Shamrock Rovers to the same result only for a late strike from Aaron Greene to snatch all three points for the Hoops.

Monday’s encounter sees defender John Ross Wilson available for selection following his suspension for the Derry City encounter, which saw Aodh Dervin red carded and incur an upcoming suspension. However, Duff also has a number of players returning from injury as Friday night saw JJ Lunney pick up his first minutes of the campaign- appearing as a late sub- while Shane Griffin made his second substitute appearance since an injury in the first game of the season and Jack Moylan also stepped on the pitch competitively for the first time since the clash with Derry City at Tolka Park.

Manager Damien Duff speaking to club media ahead of the Derry City game, referenced the returning players,

‘It’s the first time we’ve had nearly everyone available for selection which is amazing really, we’re looking forward to seeing the fans up in Derry and in Tolka on Monday. We know we will need them at times but the onus is on the players to get the crowd going too'.

BOHEMIAN FC

Bohemians come into Monday’s encounter on the back of a contrasting display against a team from the North West. Their Dalymount Park clash saw Finn Harps reduced to ten men, take the lead courtesy of a penalty and then concede twice before another red card in injury time preceded a late equaliser from Mark Timlin.

The point was their sixth following five games at home this season, unlike their hosts this afternoon Keith Long’s men share their dozen points equally between those earned at home and away. Defeats to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium and a last gasp James Akintunde strike at Dalymount Park are the only games in which they have failed to pick up a result.

Their two league victories this season- both 1-0 wins- saw a couple of clean sheets earned for James Talbot while, at the other end of the field, Dawson Devoy has scored penalties in consecutive games. Top scorer Promise Omochere has three goals so far this campaign, with Devoy and Liam Burt tied on two apiece.

Speaking with club media in advance of Monday afternoon’s game, boss Keith Long referenced the Harps game before looking forward to the Shelbourne encounter.

‘We have been incredibly frustrated at the manner of dropping valuable points late in games. Friday wasn’t a defeat but it felt like one and we got punished for not being ruthless enough in front of goal and conceding a late equaliser, which was preventable.’

Draws are of no real benefit to anyone, We want wins and we need to start turning draws into victories. Playing so soon after Friday is a good opportunity to try and bounce back. It’s a Dublin derby and a sellout where we will have a large travelling support behind us once more. We are looking forward to the challenge. Shelbourne are a young, hungry, energetic and well-organised team and will be confident after their win up in Derry.’

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne and Bohemians are two of three sides currently level on twelve points- Drogheda United the other. Bohemians have drawn the same amount of games (6) as third place Dundalk, the joint highest in the league, while Shelbourne have won the same number of games (3) as the Lilywhites. 

The two sides drew one goal apiece in their first encounter of the season. Sean Boyd netted the opening goal moments after his arrival as a substitute, before a Jordan Flores corner presented Grant Horton with the opportunity to equalise in the dying embers of the game- the defender scoring his only goal of the campaign so far.

Bohemians have taken 5 points from their last three away games while Shelbourne have a single point from their three most recent home encounters, All three of Shelbourne’s clean sheets this season have been kept on their travels while Bohemians have one at home and one away.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1–1 Bohemians

Shelbourne

Injured: None

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Aodh Dervin

Bohemians

Injured: James Finnerty

Doubtful: Grant Horton

Suspended: None.