Bohemians -v- St. Patrick’s Athletic
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Bohemians host St. Patrick's Athletic in Dalymount Park in the Leinster Senior Cup Final on Monday night in a game which is likely to see both sides give fringe players a run-out (kick-off 7:45pm).
Bohemians have used their A Team in their previous fixtures against Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne, and are to continue this policy under the guidance of player/coach Owen Heary. This decision means that the services of Gary Burke, Stephen Traynor and Ryan McEvoy, players who started in the Gypsies’ 2-0 win to UCD last Saturday, are likely to be called upon again.
St Pat's manager Pete Mahon has confirmed that his side will be severely weakened due to a combination of injuries and the need to rest players ahead of this Friday’s FAI Cup Semi-Final against Shelbourne.
"The timing of the game is unfortunate in that it's the week of the FAI Cup Semi-Finals. That means we're going to have make a number of changes and that doesn't really do the competition the justice it deserves.”
With first team members Seán O’Connor, Dave Mulcahy and Derek Doyle ruled out, plus with Danny North (hamstring) and Daryl Kavanagh (Tendonitis) having only just returned to action, Mahon is likely to call upon the services of reserve first team players Chris Bennion, Neil Harney, Jake Carroll and Seán Stewart, while also giving starts to youth players.
"Even though we'll be making a lot of changes, we entered this competition because we wanted to win it and that's exactly what we'll be looking to do. We don't have enough bodies to give everybody a rest but there will certainly be 9 or 10 changes and some of the Under 19 squad will come into the squad too. We lost a cup final last season against Bohemians in the Setanta Cup so it would be nice to bring a bit of silverware back to Richmond."
The last meeting at this stage of the competition between the Saints and the Gypsies was in 1991 when former Saints’ and Bohemians’ stalwart Tony O’Connor scored the only goal in a replay to secure victory for the Inchicore side.
Bohemians, the most successful club in the competition, will hope to secure their 36th Leinster Senior Cup trophy, while the Saints will be hoping to lift their first bit of silverware since a 1-0 League Cup final victory over Longford Town in 2003.
Bohemians
Injured: Killian Brennan, Aidan Price and Mark Rossiter.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Michael Barker (U19 International Duty)
Route to the Final: Last 16: Bye, Q/Final: Shamrock Rovers (H) 2-1, Shelbourne S/Final: (H) 2-0.
Saint Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Seán O'Connor (hamstring), Dave Mulcahy (hamstring), Derek Doyle (flu).
Doubtful: Shane McFaul.
Suspended: None.
Route to the Final: Last 16: Bray Wanderers (A) 2-0, Q/Final: Athlone Town (H) 3-0, Killester United S/Final: (A) 2-2, Replay (H) 4-0.
Paddy Power Odds: Bohemians 11/10; Draw 12/5; St Pats 15/8.
Extratime prediction: Could go either way, but a youthful Bohs side could knick it, 2-1.
