League Preview: Bohemians -v- Finn Harps

BOHEMIANS

Finn Harps will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and fellow relegation battlers UCD when they face Bohemians at Dalymount Park tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Bohemians will have a new man in the dugout with Declan Devine taking charge for his first ever game after being unveiled as Keith Long’s replacement earlier this week.

The Gypsies could even leapfrog Sligo Rovers into fifth place with a win over Harps.

However, plans are mainly beginning to take shape for next season with the announcement that Keith Buckley as re-signed for the club on a three year deal after a year abroad in Australia.

“I need people alongside me who really care about this club and who understand what Bohemian Football Club is about. I have that in bucket-loads with my first signing,” Devine said, speaking to the club website.

“As soon as I knew I was getting this job, the first person I wanted beside me was Keith Buckley.

“He is part of the fabric and DNA of Bohemians. I see him as part of the past, now the present and also the future as we move forward together as a club.

“This is an important step towards where we want to get to before the start of next season.

In their last game they were beaten 3-1 by St Patrick’s Athletic and they will be looking for their first win in three this weekend.

Serge Atakayi and Mark Doyle put the Saints into a commanding lead last week, James Clarke pulled a goal back for Bohs but Tunde Owolabi scored late on to seal the three points for Tim Clancy’s side.

FINN HARPS

Harps are neck and neck with UCD at the bottom of the table and they will definitely be looking to separate themselves from the automatic drop with a good result on Friday night, the Students are hosting Drogheda United.

Ollie Horgan’s side will be looking for their first win in seven games with their last victory coming over Sligo when they hosted the Bit O’Red at Finn Park in August.

Last week they were narrowly beaten by Dundalk, Lewis Macarii and a Rob Slevin own goal game Dundalk a two goal lead, Robert Jones pulled a goal back for Harps with five minutes to go but they could not find an equalizer and remained tied with UCD on points in the Premier Division.

“We did well in the second half last Friday but if we only turn up for half the game then we’ll not get very far,” Horgan said, speaking to the club’s website.

“But if you’re looking for positives it shows that we can play at a level and cause teams problems, but we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot to give us a real chance.

“Declan Devine has come in at Bohs now and the players will be eager to impress the new manager ahead of their remaining games.

“We’re running out of games to solidify our position and put some space between ourselves and UCD, but hopefully we can carry through some of that fight from the second half of the Dundalk game and come away with a result.”

In team news, David Webster will miss out through injury while James McKeown, Robert Slevin, Eric McWoods and Elie-Gael N’Zeyi Kibonge are all doubts for Harps for tomorrow night.

Referee: Ben Connolly

MATCH STATS

With three games left to place, Finn Harps are level on 19 points at the bottom of the Premier Division table but UCD have a game at hand.

Bohs and Harps have drawn twice, and the Gypsies have emerged victorious once out of the three meetings between the sides so far this season.

This will be Declan Devine’s first game in charge of Bohemians.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 0–1 Finn Harps

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: David Webster.

Doubtful: Rob Slevin, Eric McWoods, Elie-Gael N’Zeyi Kibonge, James McKeown .

Suspended: None.