League Preview: Bohemians -v- Limerick

• Aaron Gallagher
• Thu, May 07 2015




BOHEMIANS

As the season arrives at the second round of fixtures on Friday night, Bohemians will be hoping for a similar result to their 3-0 away win at Jackman Park in early March that began their surprising early season form of six wins and three draws from their opening eleven games.

 

A dissimilar result is not unlikely when they take to the Dalymount turf this time around as Monday's 1-1 draw at home to Cork City showed Bohs' ability to match the top sides in the Premier Division.

 

Adam Evans' fourth strike of the season in the 84^th minute meant Bohs remained level on points with St. Patrick's Athletic meaning that a Pats win on Friday could see Bohs overtake rivals Shamrock Rovers by a point in the table with a win of their own.

 

On the vital point earned against John Caulfield's side, manager Keith Long said that he is eager to improve his team's home record against the league's top sides.

 

“It was vital to get at least a point at home against one of the top teams, after losses to Dundalk and St Pat’s” he said. “The team showed great character and spirit to secure a draw. For the supporters, it probably felt like a win, scoring so late in the game.”

 

He noted Limerick's improving performances of late and says that they will pose a threat on Friday night despite their position in the table

 

“Limerick have picked up recently. They were unlucky not to win against Shamrock Rovers, they held league leaders Dundalk, and they got a late point up in Sligo. They’re looking to climb up the table and coming to Dalymount won’t hold any fear for them.”

 

Bohs will be without defender Dan Byrne who is still recovering from a cruciate injury while Anto Murphy is also a doubt having suffered concussion after a collision with Mark O'Sullivan on Monday, however striker Dean Kelly will return for Friday's game having missed Monday's clash due to family commitments.

 

 

 

LIMERICK

Still remaining bottom of the table on five points from the opening round of fixtures, Limerick can take heart in their most recent results as a 1-1 draw at the Showgrounds added to their impressive 1-1 draw against Shamrock Rovers show that their points total for the opening eleven games do not necessarily reflect their efforts on the pitch.

 

Paul O'Conor's 94^th minute equalizer against Sligo Rovers meant that Limerick remain only two points adrift of Bray Wanderers who lie second from bottom on seven points.

 

Reflecting on the 1-1 draw at the Showgrounds manager Martin Russell said that the result was “well deserved”, adding to the 1-1 result at Tallaght Stadium.

 

“Again we showed some character in not lying down in searching for that equaliser. On the balance of the game, I think a point was well deserved,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie.

 

“We deserved at least a point, which is what we got. Two wins for any of the sides around us and you can leap a few places. We’ll be looking for more points in the second phase of games which begins with Bohs away.”

 

Limerick will now look to build on their two points earned in successive weeks with a result against Keith Long's Bohemians, a team Russell says has a strong squad with valuable experience to bring off the bench.

 

“You look at their bench against Cork where they were able to bring on some experienced players. They have been a team in form and even against Cork they probably feel they could have won that game,” he said.

 

The first game of the season went to them and we’ll want the second one to go to us. We’ll be going there in a positive manner and if we can produce the type of football that we’ve played in the last two games in particular, we’ll make ourselves competitive.”

 

Limerick go into Friday's fixture with captain Shane Duggan and midfielder Paul O’Conor expected to face late fitness tests ahead of the match.

 

Referee: Ryan Stewart (Wales)

 

 

MATCH STATS

Bohemians' extraordinary start to the season has seen them accumulate 21 points from their opening eleven games, however they have registered only four from their last four games.

 

Limerick are yet to register their first win of the new season, with the Blues having drawn five and lost six of their opening round of fixtures.

 

Bohs have taken 16 points from a possible 18 against sides outside the top five of the Premier Division, but have taken only two from their four games against top five opposition.

 

Limerick have taken two points from the fifteen available on the road so far this term, in 1-1 draws at Drogheda United and Sligo. They have lost on their trips to Cork City, Bray and Galway United.

 

 

BETTING

Bohemians 4/9; Limerick 3/1; Draw 7/1.

 

 

PREDICTION

Bohemians 3-0 Limerick.

 

 

Bohemians

Injured: Dan Byrne (cruciate).

Doubtful: Anto Murphy (concussion).

Suspended: None.

 

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor.

Suspended: None.