Preview: Bohemians vs Galway United
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Bohemians play host to Galway United at Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick off 7.45) knowing that a win could take them to the top of the table.
Last weekend's 2-1 victory over Cork City took the Gypsies to within two points of leaders St Patrick's Athletic and if John McDonnell's men lose tonight a win for Bohs will take them clear at the summit.
Galway may lie bottom of the table but they will travel east with renewed optimism after picking up their first win of the campaign away to UCD last weekend.
Indeed, the Tribesmen have shown something of a resurgence under new boss Jeff Kenna, with two wins, two draws and three clean sheets in their last five games. Kenna believes that run has brought back the feelgood factor to Terryland Park.
He said: "I'm delighted with our first win of the season. The players again rose to the challenge and the energy and commitment was exceptional from everybody which culminated in us winning the game 1-0 and could have seen us score one or two more. Against Bohemians I will be looking for a similar performance. Hopefully we can leave Dalyer with a positive result."
Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon is well aware that his side could be in for a tough night. He said: "I believe that Galway's league position does not reflect the team's talents and Jeff Kenna has worked really hard in recent weeks to make them organised and difficult to break down.
"Jeff knows what is required at the very highest level and the signs that his depth of knowledge is filtering down to his players is there for all to see. I expect them to make things difficult for us but as the home team, the onus is on us to make the running."
Fenlon has the luxury of a virtually full squad to choose from with only long-term absentees Kevin Hunt and Thomas Heary missing.
Galway will be without Daryl Robson (ankle), Ciaran Foley (shin splints), Alan Keane (knee) and John Lester (Achilles). Meanwhile, Stephen O'Flynn is expected to miss out after he suffered a recurrence of a groin injury. Ollie Fenn is suspended for the game having picked up four yellow cards.
The previous meeting of these two sides on the first night of the season saw Bohs come away with all three points courtesy of a solitary Neale Fenn strike. Bohemians have lost just once since that night and are now unbeaten in their last ten games in all competitions. However, they have looked at their most vulnerable on their home patch, winning just two of their five games.
