League Preview: Bohemians -v- Derry City

 

After coming out on the losing end of one of the most memorable Shamrock Rovers-Bohemian Dublin derbies in recent years, Keith Long will be looking for a strong reaction from his side this evening.

 

Having picked up two wins on the bounce before the mid-season break, including a 5-1 trouncing of St Patrick’s Athletic, supporters would have hoped that this was a sign of things to come for the second-half of the season. However, that hasn't been the case with the Phibsborough side picking up just one win in their last four games.

 

Despite currently sitting in ninth place, they are only one point off Galway United in fifth spot in what is an airtight Premier Division mid-table. 

 

A win against high-flying Derry would certainly be a welcome boost to the Bohs’ faithful. However, speaking to bohemianfc.com during the week, Long is wary of the challenge in front of them.

 

“It’s going to be another tough game for us. They’re well organized, everyone has a job to do and they must stick to it.” 

 

Reflecting on their first encounter of the season, a 1-0 defeat at the Brandywell last April, Long felt his side deserved something from that game in what turned out to be a frustrating evening for the Gypsies.

 

“There wasn’t a huge amount in the game. Kurtis Byrne had a great a chance and really should have scored.

 

“Both teams were very competitive and I expect it will be the same on Friday.” 

 

Of last week’s derby defeat against Rovers, Long felt Keith Buckley’s red card was a pivotal turning point in the game.

 

“The timing of Keith Buckley’s sending-off was unfortunate. We had started the game poorly and Dean Delany got us out of jail with the penalty save. But we were starting to get into it.

 

“We still managed to get ahead despite being a man down and it was a great finish by Kurtis Byrne.

 

“But defensively we were too easy to play against. Ultimately Rovers didn’t have to work too hard for their goals and that’s very disappointing. Up front we were culpable too – we missed some great opportunities and could have gone in level at half-time.

 

“We came back into it in the second-half but we had to take Izzy Akinade off as a precaution when he took a knock to the head.

 

“He was making life difficult for Rovers and we lost some of our attacking threat when he had to come off.”

 

It doesn’t get any easier for Long going into tonight’s clash with the length of their injury and suspension list certainly a cause for concern.

 

Buckley will serve a one-match ban for last week’s sending off while Aymen Ben Mohamed (groin), Eoin Wearen (hamstring), Dylan Hayes (ankle) and Derek Pender (quad) all doubts for the tie.

 

Stephen Best (knee) and Lorcan Fitzgerald (ankle) are completely ruled out although Paddy Kavanagh does return from his ankle injury.

 

 

After being hammered 5-0 at home to league leaders Dundalk at the beginning of July, Shiels would have taken great delight from his sides’ reaction last week with their own hammering of basement club Longford Town at the Brandywell.

 

Bar the Dundalk blip, Derry have been in solid form since the turn of the season, picking up two wins from their three games without conceding a goal.

 

They now travel to the capital for their first game on the road since the beginning of June and know that another three points would prove invaluable in their continued push for European football. 

 

Shiels doesn’t underestimate the quality in the Bohemians squad and when speaking to derrycityfc.net this week, he said that his side will certainly be in for a tough contest.

 

“Bohemians are a quality team, they beat Dundalk last year and they have good weapons within their team.

 

“I don’t want all the talk to be about a certain player that they have, because then the players start to think just about him, they have quality players all over their team and we have got to look at their whole team.”

 

Candystripe captain Ryan McBride is unavailable through suspension while Gareth McGlynn continues his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

 

Harry Monaghan is expected to return, however, with a place on the City substitutes’ bench likely for the young midfielder. 

 

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

 

Last season, Bohemians had a 100% record against Derry, winning all three of their encounters (2-1, 4-2 and 3-2).

 

The last time Derry defeated Bohemians more than once in a league season was three years ago during the 2013 campaign.

 

Derry have failed to win two league games in a row since they strung together four successive victories during the month of March.

 

 

Bohemians 6/4; Draw 21/10; Derry City 7/4.

 

 

Bohemians 0-2 Derry City.

 

 

Injured: Stephen Best, Lorcan Fitzgerald.

Doubtful: Aymen Ben Mohamed, Eoin Wearen, Dylan Hayes, Derek Pender.

Suspended: Keith Buckley.

 

Injured: Gareth McGlynn.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ryan McBride.