Bohemians -v- Sligo Rovers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Oct 14 2010


Freshly installed League leaders and current champions Bohemians face Paul Cook’s Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park on Friday night in the first of this weekend’s FAI Cup semi-finals. (Kick-off, 8.05pm)

With just three weeks of the season remaining Bohemians have hit their stride at precisely the right time. In a season in which Pat Fenlon’s men often failed to live up to the title winning sides of 2008 and 2009, it appeared as if they might have to cede their crown to arch rivals Shamrock Rovers. But the past few weeks have brought about a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.

Now on a run of ten undefeated games in the league and having built up an ominous sense of momentum, the Phibsboro side turn their attention to the FAI Cup. With the 2010 Setanta Cup already under their belts the Gypsies are now chasing a domestic treble. Glenville, Shelbourne and Bray Wanderers have already been disposed of in earlier rounds but in Sligo Rovers they face the side that eliminated them from last year’s competition at the quarter-final stage.

Fenlon should have Jason Byrne available despite the striker taking knocks in recent games against both Shamrock Rovers and St Pats, while Owen Heary is unlikely to be risked as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Jason McGuinness, Anto Murphy and Steven Gray are, however, definite absentees.

Paul Cook welcomes back Romauld Boco and John Russell and will be keen that his side maintain their recent Cup form. Beaten in last year’s final by Sporting Fingal, Sligo have gone on to claim this season’s League Cup with a 1-0 win over Monaghan United at the Showgrounds, and have dismissed Athlone, Finn Harps and Monaghan again in their run to this year’s semi-finals.

Nor have Sligo been slouches in the league department. Six wins and two draws in their last six league outings have them well placed to secure Europa League football next year and indicate a side that have the quality and form to upset anyone on their night.

Past results between these sides at Dalymount Park favour Bohemians who have four wins from their previous six meetings while Sligo have only two draws to show for their efforts.



Bohemians
Injured: Jason McGuinness, Anto Murphy, Steven Gray.
Doubtful: Owen Heary.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: Mauro Almeida, Richard Brush.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Alan Kelly.

Extratime prediction: Bohs to continue their revival, 1-0.