League Preview: St. Patrick’s Athletic -v- Bohemians

Chris Twardek on the ball for Bohs when they played they beat the Athletic 2-0 in April earlier this year at Dalymount Park

Chris Twardek on the ball for Bohs when they played they beat the Athletic 2-0 in April earlier this year at Dalymount Park Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

With a double set of Dublin derbies on Friday night, the Saints could end the night a point off top spot if they defeat Bohs at a sold out Richmond Park (kick-off 7.45pm live on RTÉ2) and Shels do them a favour and defeat league leaders Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park.

Jon Daly’s men sit in second place in the league four points off the Hoops and a point clear of Bohs in third. Fourth place Derry City are a further two points behind Bohs and don’t play until their return from Kazakhstan with a home match on Sunday against Drogheda United.

The Saints’ title ambitions have been aided by the return of skipper Joe Redmond in recent weeks. In the 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds last Friday, he made his first start for four months.

"It's great to be back, especially with the win up in The Showgrounds and to get my first 90 minutes,” said Redmond who made an appearance off the bench in the FAI Cup win in Longford a fortnight ago.

“Getting the news in April that I needed the operation was tough but it's something you must get over quickly in football,” said the 23-year-old player who missed 16 games during his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring tear.

“Everyone supported me within the club, the lads have been excellent since I've been gone. They put together a great run of performances and wins, so I was delighted to see that while watching from the stands. We've got a great group.

“I can't wait to be back in Richmond. These games always have a crazy atmosphere but when you're on the pitch you must be level-headed and not get caught up in the occasion too much.

The Athletic have just the one loss in their last 11 league and FAI Cup games, something that manager Jon Daly is very happy with.

“There is a belief in our squad,” said Daly speaking with stpatsfc.com. “When you have positive results, it breeds confidence. The players are confident going into each game. It's a big game, it always is against Bohs, we've done our homework on them, we know what they're about, they're a very good side.

“They have some really good attacking players so we're going to have to defend well on Friday night if we're going to get anything out of the game."

BOHEMIANS

With ten games remaining in the season, Bohs are just five points off the top of the table. It has been a case of Fortress Dalymount Park with six wins and two draws from their last home nine league and cup games.

However if they are to secure their first league crown since 2009, they will have to improve their away form and a win in Inchicore on Friday would be a real statement of intent.



They won five of their first six away games at the start of the league campaign but since beating Drogheda United in mid-April they’ve yet to claim a victory on the road in seven league matches (drawing four and losing three).

They have in form Johnny Afolabi who has scored nine goals having scored in each of his last seven matches. His tally for the season in the league and cup is at 11 and he picked up the July SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month award.

 “I'm buzzing,” said Afolabi in a press release issued about his award. “ It feels like more of a team achievement than my own. 

“Everyone had a hand in it - the staff, the players, putting in a load of work to make sure the players and the team becomes better. 

“The quality has been really good going forward, the players are starting to click. It's good to get on the end of those chances and it was good to stick a good few away.”

Referee: Rob Harvey



MATCH STATS

Chris Forrester’s 12th league goal of the season scored from the penalty spot in the first half of the win in Sligo moved him to the top of the league’s goalscoring charts. Sam Curtis was the other Saints scorer in that game – his third of the season in what was his 50th appearance for the club.

The teams haven’t played out a draw in the league since a 2-2 stalemate in Inchicore in November 2021. It is four wins for Pats and two to Bohs since then.

It is one win a piece in the matches between the sides this season. Pats won 3-2 win in April, with the goals coming from Chris Forrester, Jason McClelland and Mark Doyle in Dalymount. When they met in Richmond Park earlier in the season Bohs won 2-0 thanks to goals Johnny Afolabi and Dean Williams.

PREDICTION

1-0 home win

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Tom Grivosti

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Bohemians

Injured: n/a

Doubtful: Dean Williams

Suspended: None

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile