Credit:
Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians
- Jody Moylan
- Thu, Oct 01 2009
Of the headlines being made this season by the League of Ireland, seldom has on-field matters taken precedence over the guttural mess being strewn about behind the scenes. Forget that now for one night, and put this one up in lights; Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium, Friday (7.45pm).
Sold out a fortnight ago, and to be televised live, this top of the table clash at the country's newest and, arguably, finest football ground shines, for once, a light that illuminates rather than sullies the domestic league.
For Shamrock Rovers, the tag of being the most successful club in the land is held up as a fact in memory only. It’s been over 15 years now since their last league title. In the meantime they have been hop scotching between grounds around the capital before finally settling in west Dublin. The new Tallaght Stadium is now a template for solid foundations being the only way to build your house and your future. How a league title in 2009 would anchor the sentiment in stone.
Trailing by a solitary point in second place, Rovers are doing what all title contenders need to do; picking up points away from home, winning the dirty ball. Last Saturday’s victory in Sligo epitomized this and it was a game they could well have left behind were it not for the intervention of talisman Gary Twigg and a huge slice of luck- a Gavin Peers own goal - to win it. Rovers will take those wins whatever way they can and they hit the ground running now going into Friday’s game. That they have only been beaten once (in the FAI Cup to Sporting Fingal) since May and still lie second in the league tells its own story about their cross town rivals.
Bohemians’ win at the Brandywell on Tuesday night signifies their intent on retaining the title, keeping the upper hand on all pretenders, and in so doing keeping the financial wolves from their door. Seeing off Dundalk, Waterford and Derry since a shaky mid-September, the champions elect, dare I say it, would seem to be right back on track. The absence on Friday, however, of their midfield marshals Gary Deegan and the ever-classy Killian Brennan will be a definite cause for concern for Pat Fenlon.
With seven games remaining Bohemians lead Rovers at the top of the table by the narrowest of margins on 61 points. Both sides have 29 games played.
Manager's pre-match thoughts:
Michael O’Neill: “We expect it to be a tight game, these games usually are like that. But we’ve done it here before in Tallaght against Bohemians, coming from behind to win a game. We’re looking forward to the game as the players are enjoying being in this position. We’ll be approaching the game against Bohs with a lot of confidence."
Pat Fenlon: “It’s a big game, but there’s still plenty of football to play afterwards. Rovers is always a big match, and it's even bigger now that both of us are at the top of the league.”
Team News:
Shamrock Rovers: Ian Bermingham (ankle) is the sole absentee as Shamrock Rovers are otherwise at full strength for the Tallaght Stadium derby against Bohemians.
Bohemians: The Gypsies have no injury concerns ahead of the game. They will be missing midfielders Gary Deegan, Anto Murphy and Killian Brennan through suspension however.
Prediction: A huge night in the league at Tallaght. The short trip will not faze the seasoned Pat Fenlon, who won’t be for letting up his stranglehold on supremacy. Bohs to shade a classic. 3-2
