EA Sports Cup Preview: Dundalk -v- Bohemians

DUNDALK

Dundalk look to edge closer to the first part of a potential domestic treble when they welcome Bohemians with an EA Sports Cup final place at stake.

The game was originally scheduled for the beginning of the month but was pushed back due to Dundalk’s Europa League commitments.

With Europe off the table for another year, Vinny Perth’s side returned to domestic action on Friday night with a 5-0 win over Finn Harps at Oriel Park.

A brace from Patrick McEleney, plus goals from Daniel Kelly, Georgie Kelly and Jamie McGrath, saw the Lilywhites to a comfortable victory.

The Gypsies will present a much tougher proposition, however, having returned to form themselves with a record 10-1 win over UCD last week.

“Keith Long has Bohs well prepped now. They are a cracking young side,” defender Dane Massey told the club’s website.

“They have a lot of young players coming through and they are doing really well at the minute.

“Naturally enough, their confidence is going to be high coming into the game, so we’re expecting a tough game tomorrow night.

“We’re doing our homework today so we’ll be well prepared about their strengths and where we can attack them.



“It’s a cup semi-final, an opportunity to get into another final and it’s definitely a cup that’s in our targets.”

Robbie Benson, Jordan Flores and Stephen Folan are all back in training but remain short of match fitness.

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians head to Oriel Park brimming with confidence after recording a club record 10-1 win over UCD on Friday night.

Andre Wright scored four, Danny Mandroiu three while Conor Levingston, Danny Grant and Ross Tierney each recorded one.

After defeat away to Finn Harps and a shaky performance in the 3-2 win over Shelbourne in the FAI Cup, it was the ideal statement of intent from Keith Long’s side.



They’ll hold little fear of a Dundalk side who, though they haven’t lost a domestic game at home in a year, have played out some tight matches with the Gypsies this season.

“This group of players want to get to a final. Everyone at the club does,” Long told the club’s website.

“There is a hope and expectation there which brings its own pressures but we will go up there giving everything we’ve got to get us to a final.

“The supporters have got behind us up there this season as they have everywhere we’ve gone this season.

“I know the club has supplemented buses for this one. It’s good to be able to give the supporters back something for the support they’ve shown throughout this season.

“So hopefully we’ll have a big support up there behind us. That can be important if a game is in the balance.”

James Finnerty misses out with a calf strain while Dinny Corcoran and Cristian Magerusan are long-term absentees and James Talbot is suspended.

Referee: Paul McLoughlin.

MATCH STATS

The sides have met three times in the league this season with Dundalk winning narrowly on all three occasions.

The two games at Oriel Park have finished 1-0 and 2-1 in the Lilywhites favour, while they had a more comfortable 2-0 win at Dalymount in between.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/3; Draw 10/3; Bohemians 6/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2 – 1 Bohemians (AET)

Dundalk

Injured: Robbie Benson, Stephen Folan, Jordan Flores.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: James Finnerty, Dinny Corcoran, Cristian Magerusan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: James Talbot.