St Patrick's Athletic -v- Bohemians

• Christopher Davey
• Fri, Apr 01 2011


St. Patrick's Athletic will be hoping to continue where they left off last week when they take on Bohemians in Richmond Park on Friday (Kick-off 7.35pm).

The clash that will see the Saints play in their first derby game of the season while it's possibly the last fixture for Pat Fenlon as supremo of the Gypsies as the cloud of uncertainty continues to waver above Dalymount.

After going two goals behind against Dundalk last week, St.Patrick's Athletic somehow managed to halt the rot which seemed to be setting in around Richmond Park when they pulled a Lazarus and scored three goals without reply to make the night the extra bit sweeter for the Supersaints. This all took place while the ghost of Sean Connor continued to haunt Bohemians as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Dalymount against Galway United.

Missing for St. Pat's will be skipper Conor Kenna, who is out for six weeks with a knee injury. He joins Brian Shortall (ankle) on the injury table while Pete Mahon will also be absent on Friday night due to the death of his mother. Daryl Kavanagh and Ian Daly have recovered from their injuries respectively, while Shane McFaul is expected to be fit and healthy for Friday's game as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered against Dundalk last week.

Bohemians' smaller than average squad will be stretched to single ply toilet paper proportions, as Anto Flood remains a doubt after his calf injury which he sustained in a friendly against Hibernian continues to cause his trouble, while Glenn Cronin and 'keeper Chris O'Connor remain absent through long term injuries.

With the possible absence of Flood, it will be hard to see Bohs getting themselves on the scoresheet, although Pats have shipped on average two goals a game so far this season and the absence of Conor Kenna will be massive. However, one must make predictions so in this case the clinical Danny North to score first at 9/4 along with Over 2.5 goals at 5/4 would be the bets I fancy tomorrow.

Speaking ahead of the game, Pat Fenlon was aware of the task that awaits him in Inchicore. “Going to St Pats the players know if they don’t perform they will be well beaten. It’s a tough place, Inchicore. It’s a tight ground and mistakes can lead to goals. Pats have been scoring plenty of goals. They have shown glimpses of being very good and glimpses, like ourselves, of needing still to work out what way they want to play." This was before he referenced the "situation". "It’s been a hard week for everybody and we’ve just got to make sure that we stay focused on the game." said Fenlon.

St. Pat’s assistant boss Gill is looking to continue from their performance last week. “We’re looking to bring the momentum of our second half performance last week into this game. We’ve been a little unlucky with injuries over the past couple of weeks and again we have two central defenders injured." Then, he turned to wish Pete well. "The thoughts of all the staff and the players and everybody at the club are with Pete this week. It’s a very hard time for him, as it is for anybody who loses a parent, no matter what age they are.”

St. Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Conor Kenna (Knee)
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None

Bohemians
Injured: Chris O'Connor, Glenn Cronin.
Doubtful: Anto Flood (Calf)
Suspended: None

Referee: Richie Winter
Paddypower.com odds: St. Patrick's Athletic 10/11 Draw 9/4 Bohemians 3/1
Extratime prediction: St. Pat's to win 3-1 in a tense nip and tuck affair.