PREVIEW: Bohemians vs St Patrick's Athletic

• Graeme McQueen
• Wed, Mar 12 2008




Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic go head-to-head at Dalymount Park on Friday night in the first Dublin derby of the season.

Having both recorded victories on the opening day, both sides will be looking to maintain their good start to the campaign in front of the live RTE cameras.

A win for Bohemians would be the first time they have won their opening two league fixtures since the 2002/03 season – the last time the Gypsies won the Premier Division title.

Meanwhile, having failed to win any of the four encounters between the two sides last season, St Pat’s will be looking to get one over on their North-side rivals – something they have managed to do just once in the league since August 2003.

Speaking ahead of the match, Bohs manager Pat Fenlon said spirits in the squad were high, but cautioned that Pat’s will pose a stern test. “Training has been very good this week and the win has given us a lot of confidence. Pat’s have signed a lot of players though and it will be a tough game for us. I watched them against Glentoran on Monday night and they didn’t play as well as they probably can, but John McDonnell will have them up for the game at Dalymount.”

Fenlon admitted that he’s looking forward to his first competitive home game in charge, despite the tensions involved with local derbies. “It’s the first Dublin derby and we want to put down a marker. If we can win back to back games then people will know we’re serious about what we hope to achieve this year. If you have aspirations to win the title, you have to do well in the Dublin derbies.”

Bohemians will again be without left-back Conor Powell who sat out last week’s opening day win against Galway with a knee injury, while long-term absentee Thomas Heary is still some weeks away from first team action as he recovers from anterior ligament surgery. Glenn Cronin is another absentee and after he was carried off in Galway, while Killian Brennan Neale Fenn are both doubtful.

Across the city, St Pat’s boss John McDonnell has called on his side to tighten up at the back. Having had to come from behind to defeat Sligo last weekend, the Saints required two late goals to snatch a point against Glentoran in the Setanta Cup at Richmond Park on Monday night.

McDonnell said: “If we give away sloppy goals against Bohs, maybe you won’t come back as easily as against Glentoran or Sligo. We need to keep clean sheets. Clean sheets, no defeats - that’s a saying from over the years and that’s what we want.”

McDonnell must decide whether to shuffle his pack following the 3-3 draw with Glentoran in the Setanta Cup at Richmond Park on Monday night.

Stephen Brennan serves a one match suspension, however, Stephen Paisley returns having sat out the 3-1 win over Sligo.

Kick-off at Dalymount Park is at 19.35.

Ticket Information

St. Patrick's Athletic supporters will be accommodated on the Connaught Street side of the ground and in Section A of the Jodi Stand. Tickets for the Jodi Stand are priced at €20 for adults, €10 students (valid ID required) and €5 concession for children and OAPs.

Tickets for section "A" of the Jodi Stand will be available from St. Patrick's Athletic ticket office, while tickets for the Connaught Street Stand will be available before the game. Adult admission to the Connaught Street Stand will cost €15.

Tickets for the Des Kelly Stand are €15 for adults, €10 for students and €5 for OAPs, with the Kids Go Free promotion running for this game in the Des Kelly.