FAI Cup Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

BOHEMIANS

The Gypsies enjoyed their recent spell playing their home European games in the Aviva Stadium and are hoping to make another step in their aim to return to Lansdowne Road this season for the FAI Cup final by beating Shamrock Rovers in Sunday’s second round tie at Dalymount Park (kick off 4pm).

Bohs have reached the FAI Cup final on 14 occasions but have yet to make a cup final in the revamped Dublin 4 venue. 

Keith Long’s men won all three games in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers at the Aviva – beating both Icelandic side Stjarnan and Luxembourg outfit F91 Dudelange 3-0 before an impressive 2-1 win over Greek powerhouse PAOK.

The second leg 2-0 loss in Thessaloniki ended their European run at the third qualifying round stage though but Bohs bounced back with a 1-0 home win over Sligo Rovers on their return from Greece.

Now they have the chance to make the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup at the expense of their Dublin rivals from across the Liffey who were eliminated in the play-off round in Europe last Thursday.

“After the dust has settled on our European campaign, we can now fully focus on our domestic stuff,” said Keith Long ahead of the Dalymount Park Dublin derby. “It was vital we were able to bounce back after a hectic schedule with a winning performance against Sligo Rovers a fortnight ago.

“Previous league games between European games had seen us drop valuable points but against Sligo, the boys showed great resilience, character and unbelievable fitness levels to produce a great team performance to get the desired result.

“We enjoyed playing against European opposition but we cannot be satisfied with that and for us to continue to develop as a club, it is imperative that we try to secure European football next year.”

The two sides faced each other in FAI Cup action at the semi-final stage in 2019 with the Hoops winning 2-0 en-route to winning their first cup since 1987 but the last time the team’s met was back in June when Bohs beat the Hoops 1-0 in Dalymount Park thanks to a Georgie Kelly second half strike.

“This is a great game to have. They don’t come much bigger than this. They say you have to beat the best teams to win a cup, and Rovers have proven to be that over the last 18 months or so.

“We want to play in big games of consequence and this is certainly a game that requires us to perform to capacity. It will be a real test of our group’s development. 

The match will be played out in front of 800 no doubt boisterous Bohs fans – there was no away ticket allocation for the game. It will be the biggest attendance in the Dublin 7 venue since the Gypsies beat Shels 2-0 in front of 3,560 spectators just prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops were eliminated from Europe at the final qualifying hurdle losing their UEFA Europa Conference League play-off against Flora Tallinn in Tallaght Stadium last Thursday night.

They will need to put that disappointment to the back of their minds quickly if they are to make the quarter-final of the FAI Cup.

"Everyone was disappointed – the players, staff and I'm sure the fans,” said Stephen Bradley reflecting on their 5-2 aggregate defeat to Flora. “We have to accept it and understand why we didn't perform to our best over two legs, learn from it and come back stronger.

"This team has been fantastic and had one off night over in Tallinn (losing 4-2) and it's cost us, it's as simple as that. Do I think they're a better team than us, no. They were the better team over the two legs and deserved to go through. 

“They performed better on the two nights overall. We just had an off night in Tallinn but I've no doubt that that experience, that hurt, and frustration will make us better and we'll come back stronger for it."

In the league the Hoops currently have a three point lead over second place St. Pat’s and have two games in hand – Bohemians are 16 points behind Rovers with a game in hand.

"I've always said that Europe gives you opportunity and that opportunity didn't quite work but our priorities are always domestic - they're always the league and the cup. Obviously, it's back to that on Sunday and what a game to come back to. A cup game and a Dublin Derby so it's one we're really looking forward to.

“We know that Bohs are playing well and they're a good side, but we just need to concentrate on what we do."

Bradley’s squad will be tested on Sunday with Lee Grace, Sean Hoare and Sean Kavanagh all missing due to injury and with Liam Scales having departed for Celtic after an emotional send off after the match in Tallaght last Thursday. 

“It was fantastic for Liam. He deserves that, he's been unbelievable for us. I'm delighted that we got the 3,500 fans in to see him for his last game for the club because he's been brilliant for us. It was brilliant to see that send-off for him from the fans."

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Bohemians have won the FAI Cup on eight occasions but their last victory was in 2008. Shamrock Rovers have won a record 25 FAI Cups.

Bohs win over Rovers earlier this season stopped the Hoops making it six wins in a row over the Gypsies. Prior to that Keith Long’s men had a superb record against Rovers winning seven of the eight meetings between July 2017 and June 2019, with the other game a 1-1 draw at Dalymount.

Georgie Kelly is the top scorer across all the clubs in the Premier Division. The Bohs striker has 12 goals in the league. Both Graham Burke and Rory Gaffney have eight league goals for Shamrock Rovers this season. 

BETTING

Bohemians 9/4; Draw 21/10; Shamrock Rovers 11/10.

PREDICTION

1 – 1 AET (Bohs to win on penos)

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Lee Grace, Sean Hoare, Sean Kavanagh, Neil Farrugia.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Ciaran Kilduff: 'I'm sure Kildare has the appetite for League of Ireland football' https://t.co/xSPSAvKbz5pic.twitter.com/kzQcCsfm9i

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 28, 2021