Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Seamus Egan
• Thu, Aug 04 2011


Bohemians will take on Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park on Friday night in what is always one of the biggest games of the season in the Airtricity Premier League (kick off 7.05.p.m). The game will be shown live on RTE 2.

The home team have won their last four games in the league, but have also been knocked out of the Europa League by Olimpija Ljubjana. However manager Pat Fenlon was very proud of his players’ achievements in Europe, despite their exit. “If we can get to that level every week there’s not many teams will beat us here or anywhere. We’ve got to take belief out of that and play at that tempo.”

Fenlon also told the Bohemians website that he is hoping that a big crowd on Friday night at Dalymount against Rovers will help to spur his players on “Sometimes the atmosphere here is bouncing and that drives players on. Other times, there’s few here and it’s hard to get that zip into the team” added Fenlon.

Anto Flood (shoulder), Stephen Traynor (ankle) and goalkeeper Chris O'Connor (facial injury) will all miss out against the Hoops. Mark Rossiter is doubtful following the recurrence of his hamstring injury which occurred in the second leg against Olimpija Ljubljana. Defender Liam Burns has returned to training despite suffering a serious blow to the head during that match. Reserve goalkeeper Craig Sexton will be available for selection.

Shamrock Rovers will be without a number of key players for Friday night's game. Chris Turner , Pat Sullivan and Ken Oman are all suspended for the Hoops. Karl Sheppard (ankle) and Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring) have both been ruled out of the game. Gary McCabe is doubtful after he picked up a knock in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to FC Copenhagen.

Rovers manager Michael O’Neill believes that the Hoops European experience will benefit his team going into the game with their close rivals “We haven’t had a break, as Bohemians have, but the games we’ve had in Europe during that time should stand to us in this big game.

O'Neill is also hoping that the game will reignite his side's league title challenge. Rovers currently lie third in the table, just two points behind Sligo Rovers “After the disappointment of Tuesday night, a game like this is exactly what they need. They are all more than up for it and will be looking to get a good result from the fixture, and get back to the league in a positive manner” O'Neill told the Shamrock Rovers website.

Bohemians
Injured:Anto Flood (shoulder) Stephen Traynor (ankle) and Chris O'Connor (facial injury)
Doubtful: Mark Rossiter and Liam Burns.
Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured:Karl Sheppard (ankle) and Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring) .
Doubtful: Gary McCabe .
Suspended: Chris Turner , Pat Sullivan and Ken Oman .

Referee: Damien Hancock .

Paddy Power Odds: Bohemians 2/1, Draw 11/5, Shamrock Rovers 5/4.

Extratime prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Shamrock Rovers.