19.45 26 Jun 2015 -
Referee: Derek Tomney
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Drogheda United
- Josh Dolan
- Fri, Jun 26 2015
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians will be looking to continue their positive start to the season, as they welcome Johnny McDonnell and his Drogheda United side to Dalymount Park on Friday night.
The Gypsies, who currently lie fifth in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, took a very credible 31 points from the first half of the season (17 games).
However, Bohs boss Keith Long is keen to move on from what he described as a “fantastic” first half of the campaign.
“The real challenge for us is to try and improve in the second half of the season,” Long told bohemianfc.com.
After watching the Drogs in recent matches and overseeing a hard-fought 1-0 win at United Park when Bohs had gone down to ten men, Long is anticipating a tough game in Phibsboro on Friday night.
“I have seen them play a few times this year away from home and they’re organised, difficult to break down and can exploit on the counter-attack,” the ex-Athlone Town boss analysed.
The mid-season break has been kind to Long’s men, allowing midfield duo Robbie Creevy (groin) and Kealan Dilllon (tonsillitis) to return to fitness. It has also seen Paddy Kavanagh return to training. However, the ex-Derry City winger is unlikely to feature on Friday night.
Derek Pender, Dan Byrne and Marc Griffin will continue to miss out with long term injuries. Jason Byrne will also miss out after picking up a calf strain, while defender Dylan Hayes will also miss the visit of the Drogs with a back problem.
DROGHEDA UNITED
Drogheda will be looking to continue the good run of form that has seen them win three of their last five games in all competitions when they travel to North Dublin on Friday night,
While the mid-season break probably came at the wrong time for United, manager Johnny McDonnell has been content with his players’ efforts upon their return this week.
"Obviously the players have had a week or so off and we haven't done anything major since they've returned,” McDonnell told droghedaunited.ie.
“It's important that they all took care of themselves during their time off and hopefully we'll hit the ground running tomorrow night."
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s trip to Dalymount, McDonnell shared his praise for both Keith Long and his Bohemians squad.
"They started the season very positively which is always half the battle and their defence has been well organised, they rarely concede more than once a game,” the ex-Shels boss explained.
“I think Keith [Long] has assembled a very good squad with a nice mixture of youth and experience and the recent signing of [Ismahil] Akinade has given them another lift,” he added.
Despite being impressed by the Gypsies’ start to the season, McDonnell insists that his side are “determined” to get a result on Friday night.
Midfield duo Sean Thornton and Mark Hughes will both miss the trip to Phibsboro through injury, while Sean Brennan and Shane Dunne will be forced to sit this one out through suspension.
Referee: Derek Tomney
MATCH STATS
Bohemians haven’t won their first match after a mid-season break since 2010 when they beat Dundalk 3-0 at Oriel Park.
Drogheda’s last win in the first game back after the mid-season break came in a 3-0 victory over Bray Wanderers in 2012.
United have scored just six goals on the road so far this season, the joint-lowest return in the Premier Division with Bray Wanderers and Limerick.
BETTING
Bohemians 8/13; Draw 5/2; Drogheda United 5/1.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 2-0 Drogheda United
Bohemians
Injured: Derek Pender, Marc Griffin, Dan Byrne, Jason Byrne, Dylan Hayes.
Doubtful: Paddy Kavanagh.
Suspended: None.
Drogheda United
Injured: Mark Hughes, Sean Thornton.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Sean Brennan, Shane Dunne.
About Josh Dolan
Josh Dolan is one of our Dublin based reporters, who also helps out with Extratime.ie’s administration tasks.
Josh, who was recommended to us by fellow reporters, joined the site as a teenager …