FAI Cup Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians hopes of a top-four league finish were severely dented following last weekend’s 2-0 loss at home to Sligo Rovers so they will now look to the Sports Direct FAI Cup and Friday’s match against Shamrock Rovers to bring some much-needed silverware to the Dalymount Park trophy room.

They were booed off the field on Friday night and will now need to put in a much-improved performance if they are to overcome the Hoops and also get their fans behind them again.

Bohs did get to the cup final twice in the last three years so they do have the know how to get to the Aviva Stadium in November, but they could not have a tougher opening round test having drawn 25 times winners Rovers in the second round.

Home advantage is a major plus in a cup tie and given that Rovers also had an exhausting Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night, the Gypsies will be hoping to make use of all advantages to get their name into the hat for the last 16 stage.

They lost the 2023 Cup Final to St Patrick’s Athletic 3-1 but the majority of their starting eleven are still at Dalymount Park so they will also be personally motivated to make up for that loss by getting to the victor’s podium at the Aviva later this year.

The Gypsies got a major boost in advance of the cup clash by announcing the signing of former player Dawson Devoy who returns to Phibsborough after two years at MK Dons.        A player moving in the other direction is winger Dylan Connolly who has left the club to join Glentoran FC in the NIFL.

Bohs manager Alan Reynolds spoke to the club’s media in advance of the game and said “This is a one-off cup game in our home, so we need everyone on the pitch, everyone in the dugout and everyone in the stands pulling in the same direction.

“In games like this, that can count for a lot. It’s a massive cup tie against our rivals so we all want the place rocking and for our players to be encouraged to win every tackle and to win every ball.

“We’ve seen a lot of Rovers and we know how good a team they are and how tough a game it will be but we have to focus on ourselves and what all of us can do.

“We have good players at this club, we’ve added a lot more good players to the club over the past number of weeks so we believe in ourselves.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrocks Rovers thrilling win over Icelandic side Vikingur Reykjavik in the Champions League first round qualification match in Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night will put them in buoyant mood when they switch their attentions to the FAI Cup on Friday night.

Their 2-1 aggregate win gives them a daunting first leg second round match against Czech side Sparta Prague next Tuesday but they will park any thoughts on that game for now to concentrate on the task at hand at Dalymount Park.

Their league form has been inconsistent this season and they may well see the 13-point gap to league leaders Shelbourne as beyond them at this stage, particularly as they now have the welcome distraction of European football as well as the FAI Cup on their agenda.

They were bedevilled by injuries during the course of the league season but many of those that were on the treatment table, the likes of Lee Grace, Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia, are all now back in action as we head towards the business end of the season.

Rovers will need to be able to use all of their available players over the coming fortnight as they have a very demanding schedule with four games in a 15- day period, starting with the Cup tie on Friday night.

They then have the home and away legs of the Champions League next up before returning to league action away to Waterford on the August Bank Holiday weekend,

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

The last time Bohemians beat Shamrock Rovers was in September 2022 when they won 1-0 at home. That game however is no form guide whatsoever as all bar one player from the starting eleven that day, James Clarke, have since left the club.

Of more significance form wise is that fact that Rovers are unbeaten against Bohs in their last six clashes against their great Dublin rivals, winning four and drawing twice.

The most recent match in May in Dalymount Park finished in a 1-1 draw, Filip Pisczcek scoring for Bohs in the 23^rd minute and in form striker Johnny Kenny getting a 42^nd minute equaliser for Rovers.

Rovers are well ahead in the list of FAI Cup winners roll of honour with 25 titles, the last one being in 2019 (they beat Dundalk 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after normal time and extra time, game played at the Aviva Stadium, attendance 33,111)

Bohemians have seven wins to their credit, the last one being in 2008 (they beat Derry City 4-2 on penalties after it finished 2-2 after normal time and extra time, game played at the RDS, attendance 10,281).

BETTING

Bohemians 14/5; Draw 9/4; Shamrock Rovers 20/23

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 2 Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians

Injured:  Rob Cornwall, Keith Buckley, Brian MacManus, James MacManus

Doubtful: Filip Piszczek

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers      

Injured: Rory Gaffney, Aaron McNeff, Marcus Poom, Graham Burke

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None