League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians

Rory Gaffney celebrating his goal against Bohs last the derby in Dalymount earlier this season

Rory Gaffney celebrating his goal against Bohs last the derby in Dalymount earlier this season Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops can close the gap on Premier Division leaders Bohemians to the minimum if they can pick up their fourth successive win and seventh in eight games in the latest instalment of the Dublin Derby on Friday night (kick off 7.45pm).

Rovers welcome their fiercest rivals following a dominant 2-0 away win over Derry City which lifted them into second place and are looking for their second win over the Gyspies this season following a 2-0 away win in Dalymount Park.

The champions are unbeaten in Tallaght Stadium since losing to Derry City in March and manager Stephen Bradley feels he won’t need to motivate his side for the game as the top two in Ireland collide.

“You always want to start the game well but the game is 90+ minutes so it’s about focusing for that 90+,” he told shamrockrovers.ie. “And when we get our period of controlling the game whether that’s the first minute or the 70th minute, whatever it is we’ve got to make it count. We did that in Dalymount and that’ll be the aim again on Friday.

“It’ll probably sound boring but we don’t need any extra motivation for any game. Obviously, with derbies, you don’t need to speak about what it means to everyone around it, fans and everything that’s connected to it. The players understand that every game is important but we know that Dublin derbies are really important to everyone connected with the club.”

Alan Mannus will be out for a few weeks after picking up a finger injury on Monday while Liam Burt could return to the squad to face his old club. Rory Gaffney and Simon Power returned to the bench on Monday and they will be in contention again while Sean Kavanagh and Sean Gannon will miss out and Dylan Watts is a couple of weeks away from fitness.

Substitute goalkeeper Leon Pohls saved a late penalty at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Monday and Bradley has full faith that his number two can be an able deputy in Mannus’ absence.

“It’s a difficult one when you’re second choice goalkeeper to someone like Alan. Leon has had to be patient and the players see the work that he does behind the scenes. He was very good in the game and he obviously makes that save. It was important, not just for Leon but for the players and the group. Because we’d been so dominant in the game and the last 9 or 10 minutes would have been a different game, but thankfully, he saved it and we saw the game out comfortably then.”

BOHEMIANS



Bohs go into the clash top of the table four points ahead of their rivals following a thumping 5-0 win over Cork City on Monday in what was the perfect response to dropping points to UCD last Friday.

Declan Devine believes his side have learned the lessons from their 2-0 home defeat against Shamrock Rovers.

“We have come a long way in a short space of time. It is only 20 weeks since we finished sixth last season,” he told bohemianfc.com. “But there is a lot to learn from the last time we played them.

“To give away a goal in the 46th minute of the first half was a big blow for us having dealt with the opening 25/30 minutes being on top, creating chances, and being positive in our approach.

“As a new group we have to accept and realise that we are going to have setbacks. But this is another game where we really want to go and perform to our highest levels. We want to win. We have played positively away in other games in difficult venues.

“This is another difficult venue, and we go into this game with our eyes wide open.



“We want to play to the highest level we can. We certainly won’t be going there to sit back. We have got to go there and try to attack, and be better defensively than what we were when we played them at home.

“We know the intensity we have to bring to this game and we know what it means to players, players’ families and supporters. But ultimately it is just another opportunity for us to try to get another three points.

“We have got to bring our A game and we know if we can do that, we will do ourselves justice because we have players that can hurt any team.”

Ali Coote made his return from injury with a quickfire brace off the bench while Jordan Flores curled in a beautiful free kick after serving a three game ban.

Attacker James Akintunde remains a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH FACTS

Shamrock Rovers have lost just once this season while Bohemians have only drawn once.

The Hoops are unbeaten at home to Bohs since April 2019 when Dinny Corcoran scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win. Shamrock Rovers have won five and drawn once at home to Bohs since then.

Shamrock Rovers have won four of the last five Dublin Derbies. Bohs beat their hosts 1-0 at Dalymount Park in December.

PREDICTION

2-1 win to Bohs

TEAM NEWS

Shamrock Rovers:

Injured: Alan Mannus, Dylan Watts, Sean Kavanagh, Sean Gannon

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Bohemians:

Injured: James Akintunde (hamstring)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

About Rónán MacNamara

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