Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Graeme McQueen
• Sat, Jul 25 2009


Table toppers Bohemians will be looking to bounce back from their midweek European disappointment when they welcome their closest challengers, bitter Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers, to Dalymount Park on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 1pm).

The two sides couldn't go into the game in much different frame of mind. While Bohs were left shattered following their last gasp elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Red Bull salzburg, the Rovers players are sure to still be on a high following their spirited performance against the superstars of Real Madrid on Monday.

Bohs manager Pat Fenlon believes that the visit of their cross-city rivals is just what the doctor ordered for his players following their European exit. He said: "I'm delighted as it will be easier to pick the players up for this match than for one against any of the so-called weaker teams. It would be nice to bounce back after the disappointment of Wednesday night, and hopefully put a smile back on everyone’s faces again. But I think it’s a bigger game for Rovers than it is for us”.

The champions have taken 25 points from a possible 30 in their home games this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding just two.

Rovers currently lie five points behind the Gyspies, however, the Tallaght side go into the game on the back of an impressive ten-match unbeaten run in the league. With the distraction of the Real Madrid game now behind them, Michael O'Neill must ensure that his players' minds are refocussed on domestic matters.

O'Neill said: "“I’m glad it’s all over [the Real Madrid game], but I’m even happier that it didn’t affect the players and we won the games that were played in the run up to last Monday, which was undoubtedly a great night. Confidence is high amongst the squad and long may that continue. I’m very happy with the way we’re looking at the moment and the priority is to maintain that form.”

Rovers won the last meeting between the two sides in mid-May, which made amends for Bohs' early season victory at Dalymount Park. O'Neill added: “It’s first against second, so that’s going to provide some added spice to the derby. And it’s one win each so far, as they won in Dalymount and we won in Tallaght, so it’s very evenly balanced. The first game this season – when Bohs won 2-0 at Dalymount – was only our third game. At that stage the management and players at Rovers were only getting to know each other. Going back to Dalymount to face Bohs offers the ultimate test of how far we’ve come so far this season."

Bohs will again have to make do without captain Owen Heary (hamstring), while youngster Sean Byrne also misses out. Joseph Ndo and Gary Deegan picked up knocks against Salzburg but are expected to be fit in time for the game.

With the exception of long-term absentee Sean Webb (back) and the suspended Sean O'Connor, Rovers are at full strength for the game.

Extratime.ie match prediction: Beware the bite of the wounded animal: Bohemians to pick themselves back up with a 1-0 victory over their biggest rivals.