Preview: Drogheda Utd vs Bohemians

Champions Drogheda United will be looking to continue their recent good form when they welcome Bohemians to United Park in front of the live TV cameras on Sunday night (kick-off 7pm).

Following an indifferent start to the league campaign, winning just one of their opening three fixtures, Drogheda have found some form of late with back to back victories in the league followed by a convincing four-nil victory over Dungannon Swifts in the Setanta Cup on Monday night.

Bohemians will be looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing home draw with Bray Wanderers. The Gypsies have shown good form on the road this season, winning all three of their away fixtures.

Drogs' manager Paul Doolin is in confident mood going in to the game but admits that his side will face a tough test against fellow title hopefuls Bohs. Doolin said: “We all know we didn’t start as well as we would have liked. But we’ve got some good results recently and the players have been excellent. Hopefully we can keep that up against Bohemians.

“We know we’ll be up against a strong Bohs side. Pat [Fenlon] has brought in some good players, some experienced lads, but we have to be confident. We’re league champions and we must perform.”

Doolin has an almost a full squad to choose from. Club captain Declan O’Brien returned to action in midweek with a goal against Dungannon, while Shane Barrett continued his rehabilitation with a late substitute appearance. Defender Jason Gavin has been declared fit, despite picking up a knock in midweek. Graham Gartland (Achilles) and Richie Baker (calf) are also both expected to recover from knocks.

A win for Pat Fenlon’s men will take them back to within two points of leaders St Patrick’s Athletic, while victory for the home side will take them level on points with Bohs.

Fenlon was livid with his players following their lacklustre display against Bray last week and has called on them to put in a big performance. He said: “We’ve spoke about it, it’s gone. It’s now up to the players to put in a better performance this week than they did last week against Bray. The players are disappointed. They know themselves we’ve let ourselves down. They know there’s a performance expected from them by me, by themselves and from the supporters.”

Fenlon was full of praise for Drogheda and admits that they are still the team to beat in the race for the Premier Division crown. “I still think they’re the team that if anybody finishes above them they’ll probably win the league. They’ve got the best squad around, quality players and also the experience now of winning the championship. We’re going to have to be at our best to get something out of the game. We’ve done well away from home this season so I don’t see why we can’t do the same again. We’ve got some really good players here so if we can get the work rate up a little bit we’ll be a very hard side to beat.”

Despite having no fresh injury worries, Fenlon is expected to make changes with Killian Brennan and Ken Oman both likely to return to the starting line-up. Neale Fenn also returns to the squad. However, long-term absentees Kevin Hunt and Thomas Heary again miss out.

Drogheda United versus Bohemians is live on Setanta Sports at 7pm on Sunday.

Note for Bohemians supporters: Tickets for the away end will be available Saturday from Drogheda United from 12.30pm to 4pm, and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm only. There will be no tickets on sale or cash turnstile in operation on the night of the game.