League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

“From our point of view, we are all going to suffer on Monday night by not having our away support there. Players, staff and fellow supporters, everyone suffers. It is something we obviously don’t want to happen again,” Devine said, speaking to the club’s website.

“But what I will say is this. From the day and hour that I came to this club, when Dalymount Park is bouncing, or any away section is bouncing with Bohs fans, that rapport between the players and supporters is second to none. It is worth points to this club, and is something quite unique to this club.

“We got across the line last week at the end because of the backing of our supporters. But what happened earlier in the game isn’t on, and I think everyone accepts that. It’s just not on – that a player gets hit and gets hurt.

“But when mistakes are made, the most important thing is that people learn from them. I know the support that our fans have given for many years has meant to the players of this club and that’s what I want to see continue.

“You only have to look back a week previously to the display that was done for James Talbot. That, for me, shows the decency and togetherness of people at this club, and the rapport that our members and supporters have with our players.

“That display made me feel emotional walking out onto the pitch at Dalymount Park – knowing that our fans love and care so much for James Talbot that they would go to that effort to show it. I know it meant the world to the players too.

“So, when every one of us is pulling in the same direction, and the fans are behind the players and the players are doing everything they can to send the fans home happy, this is a really special club.

“We can’t let one night of bad decisions change that. We don’t need bad decisions like that again so I would say to the fans not to dwell on it but, yes, we must learn from it.”

Devine is clear that they will pose a huge threat, and says he is not reading too much into their defeat to Galway United last week.

“I have been very impressed by Dundalk. I watched them in pre-season, I watched the game against Shamrock Rovers where I felt they were outstanding. I thought last week that they were very unfortunate to lose against Galway United. They had huge chances and there were periods of the game where they were well on top. The game could have been 3-3 or 4-4.

“I’ve no doubt that they are coming here to have a go. We really have to be at our best. I know I say that a lot, but this is going to be a really tough game and the players know that.”

Adam McDonnell is a doubt with a knock. Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot) remain out.

DUNDALK

After a credible draw away to four-in-a-row winners Shamrock Rovers on the opening night, Stephen O’Donnell’s charges were rocked by a 0-2 defeat to new boys Galway United at Oriel Park.

Dutch midfielder Koen Oostenbrink is back in the squad after missing the opening two games of the season with a hamstring strain.

O’Donnell saw last week’s defeat to Galway as a missed opportunity but he has been pleased with his side’s reaction in training this week and is relishing the trip up the M1 to the capital.

“My overriding feeling after the Galway game last Friday was that it was a bit of a missed opportunity. From a principal point of view, we didn’t play the game properly, right from the start, and we gave up two poor goals but the reaction has been good this week.

“We know what went wrong and what we need to clean up on and with a new bunch of players, it might turn out to be a positive that we have such clarity straight off the bat and we know how to go about things so early in the season.

“We’re two games in and nobody around the league has maximum points and that’s the way the league is going to be this season again. You look at the fixtures every week and it’s very hard to pick winners.

“Bohs will be delighted with last week’s win at Richmond Park and there’s a little bit of the unknown about them because they’ve brought in a lot of new players but we have a gauge of them from the opening two games and we’re looking forward to going up there.

“It’ll be a full house at Dalymount Park and the atmosphere will be brilliant. We’ll have a great travelling support so it’s another game to savour.”

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

Bohemians

Injured: Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot)

Doubtful: Adam McDonnell (knock)

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None