League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bohemians

• Christine Allen
• Sun, Mar 03 2024




Drogheda United

Kevin Doherty’s Claret and Blue Army will look to stop the rot following two losses in their opening two fixtures as they welcome the Gypsies to a 2,000 strong contingent at Weavers Park.

Drogheda United will no doubt be keen to banish the unflattering stat of being the only pointless team situated on the Premier Division league table.

Having been sucker punched in their opening game of the season away to Derry City in a cruel 2-1 defeat in which they missed a penalty kick, Doherty's men endured a 4-1 thrashing by newly promoted Waterford.

Following his team's hammering to the Blue and White Army, a visibly shook Doherty spoke to the club’s media team.

"Yeah, really disappointed, I said probably for 15 to 20 minutes we were like Barcelona, and for the rest of the game we were like the dog and the duck.

“We were really, really good, but then three set pieces they score from? That's really, really poor on our behalf. I can put it down to players not doing the job they were told to do.”

In front of a home crowd, the Drogs fired ahead in the 13th minute through new signing Zishim Bawa, but things took a turn for the worst when they conceded four goals in a very disappointing performance that sank them to the bottom of the table.

On a more positive note, newcomer Bawa, who excelled for Bodens BK in Sweden over the last three seasons, scoring 32 goals in 106 games, showed his metal up front while Darragh Markey commanded confidently in the middle of the park.

BOHEMIANS

Declan Devine’s men will journey into the heart of the Boyne Valley on Monday night in a quest to net a further three points as they bid to avenge a disappointing season where they let both European qualification and an FAI cup slip.

Bohemians have taken a respectable four points from a possible six in their two opening games and sit in fifth place.

With a last-minute equaliser at home to Sligo Rovers and an undoubtedly sweet 1-0 win at Richmond Park, the Dublin 7 club are now three points off the top spot in what will undoubtedly be a shape shifting Premier Division League table.

Speaking to the club’s media team following their narrow victory against St Patrick’s Athletic, Declan Devine reflected. “It was a very positive team performance in many ways. It was a performance full of discipline, self-belief, and togetherness. There was a real honesty about the group.

“Right through the spine of the team, there were big performances—James Clarke, Jordan Flores, Cian Byrne. Kacper Chorazka was very calm, and Adam McDonnell had an outstanding game, as did Brian McManus.

“We also had real comfort in Paddy Kirk and Michael Lilander defending brilliantly well, and a real threat from the wings in Dylan Connolly and Dayle Rooney.

“But we know it is just one game—a really positive performance away from home—and that we have to draw a line under last week. Those pats on the back are gone now, we have to do it again.”

With the cancellation of their clash against Dundalk due to a blanket of snow that dressed Dalymount, Devine’s starting eleven’s legs will be well rested.

On the decision to not play on Friday night, Devine opined to the club media. “I think the right call was made to call the game off on Friday. Everyone was eager to get out and play, but I walked the pitch, and it was totally unplayable. It would have put both sets of players in jeopardy, and it was the same at other venues across both divisions.”

“It was a strange weekend not having a game, but it gave us an extra day’s training, and with so many new lads settling in, that was a positive in itself too, as the more time we have working together on the training pitch with all the new players we have, the more the players will get to know each other and the better prepared we will be.”

The Gypsies will no doubt be missing their troubadours, who have been banned from attending following the hurl of a flare from one of their own, which struck centre-back Cian Byrne in inchicore.

The Dublin 7 outfit were fined an undisclosed sum by an FAI disciplinary committee and have since banned the fan responsible following a detailed review of match footage.

On the reality of having no Bohs fans in attendance, the Derry-born impresario admitted.

“There is no denying that it is going to be strange for us going to a venue—one where we are so used to having such a vocal support behind us—and to not have that this time.

“That is going to have to be something we adjust to very quickly. It will be in the back of our minds that even though our fans cannot be there in person, we know that they will all be at home or meeting up in the pub to watch on LOITV.

“We want to go out and give another good performance and ensure that they enjoy their night wherever they are watching from. So all eyes will be on us again, and we have to go out and perform. Drogheda is always a tough venue for any team, and we will have to be at our very best.”

When the ‘Sun goes down’, it’s all to play for at Weavers Park.

‘Live and Dangerous.’

Referee: Gavin Colfer

Prediction: Drogheda United 1-2 Bohemians

Bohemians

Injured: Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot)

Doubtful: Paddy Kirk

Suspended: Unknown

Drogheda United

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Unknown