Dundalk -v- Bohemians

• Ross Mullen
• Thu, Jun 30 2011


Bohemians travel to Oriel Park on Friday night hoping to complete their first run of three straight league victories this season after they beat Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United in their last two outings. (Kick off, 7.45pm)

Dundalk welcome the Gypsies full of confidence having scored 11 goals in their last two games, winning 5-1 at Bray and 6-1 at home to struggling Galway United. Assistant Manager Darius Kierans will be in the dugout for the home side as Ian Foster is needed in England to complete his UEFA Pro-License course. Foster, while he would like to be there, is happy with Kierans taking charge.

“I tried to move the fixture before the season started, I asked permission off the FAI but they declined. It’s just unfortunate. It’s the end of my Pro-Licence course, I’ve got to do it. But Darius will take the game and I’ve got no problems with that. Darius knows how we play inside out and I have absolutely no qualms in him taking the game.”

Dundalk and Bohemians are currently equal on points in the league but the Lilywhites have scored nearly twice as much as the away side. Ex-Bohemian Mark Quigley in particular is in hot form after netting a hat-trick against Bray. Nonetheless, Bohs’ manager Pat Fenlon believes his side are more than capable of competing with the Louth outfit.

“We’ve done all right there over the last few years. I’m confident we can go and get a result,” Fenlon almost has a full squad at his disposable with only goalkeeper Chris O’Connor missing due to a facial injury suffered in the victory over Drogheda at Dalymount Park. “When we have everybody fit we can beat anyone,” claimed Fenlon “We now have players on the bench that can change games.”

Dundalk’s Ross Gaynor is wary of the threat posed by Fenlon’s team despite Dundalk’s recent impressive form.”Bohs is probably going to be one of the toughest tests we’ve had all season. They have got six or seven players that have won the league in the last few years, so it’s going to be some game. Hopefully, we’ll give a good account of ourselves and we’ll hopefully play well enough to take the three points. Bohs are always a very good team and it’s going to be tough.”

Gaynor has played in 27 of Dundalk’s 30 competitive games so far this season and he hopes his side can take advantage of the distraction Europe will bring to the sides around them and get back into the title race. “I thought we struggled in the league last year when we were playing in Europe, and teams will do that this year, so I think that’s where we’ll pick up points. Obviously, teams around us are playing in Europe and to close that gap would be great.”

Many of Bohs first team regulars were rested during their recent friendly against Dundee United but several younger players took to the field and made strong cases for inclusion in the first team squad. Christy Fagan came on in the second half of that game, rattling the crossbar with a free-kick and Fenlon is “delighted” to have Fagan and Anto Flood available up front. The two strikers have scored all of Bohs four goals in their last two games, matching the total goals scored by the Gypsies in their previous eight league games.

Dundalk:
Injured: Eoghan Osborne, Stephen McDonnell.
Doubtful: Colin Hawkins, Jason Byrne.
Suspended:   None.

Bohemians
Injured: Chris O’Connor.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Tom Connolly.
Paddy Power Odds: Dundalk 11/10, Draw 11/5, Bohemians 12/5.
Extratime prediction: 1-1.