Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Derry City
- Dave Donnelly
- Mon, Jul 01 2019
BOHEMIANS
The fixtures begin to come thick and fast for Bohemians as they return to Dalymount Park action for the visit of Derry City, live on Eir Sports 1 (kick-off 8pm).
Keith Long’s side returned from the midseason break in the same form they went into it, sealing their third league win on the bounce away to Waterford on Friday night.
A Rory Feely own goal had given Bohs the lead before Michael Barker’s own goal levelled things up.
Remarkably, Barker wasn’t finished there, and the experienced defender tucked home Danny Mandroiu’s corner in injury time to seal all three points.
The games don’t get any easier for the Gypsies, however, as they host a Derry side who, like themselves, come into the game in rude form.
Bohs have been buoyed by the news that vice-captain Keith Buckley, James Finnerty, Danny Grant, James Talbot, Mandroiu and Conor Levingston have all re-signed.
Youngster Ross Tierney, who made his full debut as a goalscorer in last month’s EA Sports Cup win over Cork City, has also signed his first pro deal.
Grant is one of six players on the injury list alongside Aaron Barry, Dinny Corcoran, Rob Cornwall, Kevin Devaney and Cristian Magerusan.
DERRY CITY
A second long away trip in four days awaits Derry City as they travel to the capital to take on the Gypsies.
The Candystripes will travel with confidence, however, following their 4-1 thumping of Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.
David Parkhouse opened the scoring for Declan Devine’s side before it became the Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe show, the Englishman notching a hat-trick.
“Taking in a total 900-mile round trip over the next few days doesn't help but we knew what we were coming back to, so we have to get on with it,” Devine told the club’s media team.
Patrick McClean and Michael McCrudden are still some way off fitness, while Darren Cole is a doubt, and new signing Conor Davis is not eligible until Friday.
Referee: Sean Grant.
MATCH STATS
The sides have met twice so far this season, with Bohemians holding the upper hand with four points from the two games to Derry’s one.
The first meeting between the sides at Dalymount Park ended in a 1-1 stalemate after James Finnerty’s late strike cancelled out a penalty from ex-Gypsy Eoghan Stokes.
The return game at the Brandywell in April saw Keith Long’s side run out 2-0 winners thanks to second-half goals from Danny Mandroiu and Dinny Corcoran.
BETTING
Bohemians 6/4; Draw 21/10; Derry City 15/8.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 1 – 2 Derry City
Bohemians
Injured: Aaron Barry (hamstring), Rob Cornwall (Achilles), Danny Grant (hamstring), Kevin Devaney (concussion), Dinny Corcoran (ankle), Cristian Magerusan (cruciate).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Derry City
Injured: Michael McCrudden, Patrick McClean.
Doubtful: Darren Cole.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Conor Davis (ineligible).
