Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Aug 07 2010


Bohemians travel across The Liffey on Sunday afternoon to meet a Shamrock Rovers side that are bang in form and looking to take the Northsider’s league crown for themselves. (Kick-off 12.30)

Both teams have recently ceded their places in European competition but Bohemian’s tame surrender to Welsh side TNS compared poorly with Rover’s impressive performances against Italian giants Juventus. But while Rovers’ fans will have thoroughly enjoyed the contrast it remains to be seen whether there will be a price to be paid in terms of fatigue.

This is an issue which Hoops boss, Michael O’Neill is well aware of and the Rovers side that faced Juve in Modena showed five changes from the first leg, a move designed specifically with this game in mind.

Once again O’Neill be without Pat Sullivan and Dessie Baker while Pat Fenlon must do without the services of Steven Gray and Anto Murphy. There are also doubts over the availability of Killian Brennan and Raffaele Cretaro.

The home team are in impressive league form with Rovers having won four of their last five games and unbeaten in twelve. Bohemians are also putting together a solid league run, winning three of their last five matches and standing unbeaten in the last nine.

As ever this Dublin derby is impossible to predict with anything but gut feeling and it is a tie that is likely to be decided by whichever team that shows the greater desire.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Pat Sullivan, Dessie Baker.
Doubtful: Chris Turner
Suspended: None.

Bohemians
Injured: Steven Gray, Anto Murphy.
Doubtful: Killian Brennan, Rafaele Cretaro.
Suspended: None.

Referee: David McKeon.

Extratime prediction: Home advantage to pay off as Rovers win by a single goal, 2-1.