League Preview: Bohemians -v- Derry City

Dylan Connolly holds up the ball in Bohs' 1-0 win in Derry last month

Dylan Connolly holds up the ball in Bohs' 1-0 win in Derry last month Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

BOHEMIANS

Bohs lead at the top of the Premier Division has been cut to just one point after they dropped eight points from the last 15 on offer.

An away draw at UCD was sandwiched in between defeats at home to St. Patrick’s Athletic and away to Shamrock Rovers, leaving them on 28 points after 14 series of games.

After a sluggish start to the season their great Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers have now gone eight games unbeaten and are now just that single point behind Bohs, no doubt with lots of twists and turns yet to come as the season progresses.

That Dublin Derby drew 7,864 fans to Tallaght Stadium last Friday night but Bohemians played second fiddle to Rovers for most of the game. They can have no real complaints about the 2-0 scoreline, the goals coming from Trevor Clarke and Rory Gaffney.

They did have legitimate cause for complaint though in 75th minute however when Jonathon Afolabi was bundled over in the box by Daniel Cleary.

To the dismay of Bohs manager Declan Devine, referee Rob Hennessy did not see anything wrong with Cleary’s tackle and to compound Devine’s misery, Rovers’ Rory Gaffney stooped low to head home the insurance second goal five minutes later.

Devine spoke to the media this week and he said: “The decisions (against Rovers) were just ludicrous but we have to move on. We’ve got to get back on the horse this week.

“The boys were trained brilliantly. We know we’re playing a real top side again and we’re gonna have to go up the gears again.

“That’s the reality of this league. You have to get over setbacks and you have to get over any wins quickly as well.



“We’ve been able to respond after defeats we’ve had this season very positively and it’s something we’ll have to do again on Friday.

“That’s something that we’ve done all year. We have gone to difficult venues and we have dealt with tough opponents in Dalymount, so there will be no difference in our mentality setting up trying to win against Derry City “

He also said: “Derry have invested really well in their squad. When you have a team that has the likes of Michael Duffy, you know you’re going to have tough opponents. We have to be ready for that.

“Derry will fancy their chances pushing for a league title. We’re just looking to try and make sure that our level of performance will give us an opportunity of taking three points and that’s what we want to do, no matter who we play, and where we play them, we want to take the points “

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes will be looking to exact revenge on Bohemians when they travel to the capital on Friday night after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Gyspies in the first of their three fixtures back in early April.



A win will put Ruaidhri Higgins; men on the same number of points as Bohs, 28, with only goal difference then separating both sides. It may also give them an opportunity to keep the pressure on a resurgent Shamrock Rovers who are currently on 27 points.

Derry have been on a good run of late, with the Bank Holiday Monday 2-0 loss to Rovers being the only blemish on their last five set of results.

They travelled to Drogheda last weekend and came away with a narrow 1-0 victory - Adam O’ Reilly’s 12th minute goal the difference between the two sides.

Derry City’s Assistant Manager and ex-Cliftonville boss Paddy McLoughlin spoke to the Derry City media team this week in advance of the trip to Dublin. “It’s a place that has been good to us in the past, but we’re obviously starting from scratch on Friday,” said McLoughlin.

“It’s a good surface and always a great atmosphere and with them top of the league there’ll be a big crowd as well.

“Our lads have trained really well again this week and on the back of a big win at Drogheda you can tell they’re looking forward to Friday night.”

City haven’t had a single week this season when they haven’t had a lengthy injury list to contend with, but Ruaidhri Higgins’ deputy said things were hopefully looking up on that score.

On the injury front McLoughlin said: “Connolly and Cameron Dummigan are almost good to go but may need another week.

“Patrick McEleney will be rested for another week or so, and obviously we’re waiting on the specialist’s report for Colm Whelan, hoping his injury isn’t too long term.

“Apart from Ciaron Harkin, we’d be nearing full strength if it all worked out, and that’s something we haven’t had in a while.”

In terms of the home side’s start to the season, he said he wasn’t in the slightest bit surprised by Bohs making the running.

“They’re a very good side and obviously we know how good their manager is.

“We know all about Declan’s passion and his ability as a coach, but this isn’t about us v Declan Devine and it won’t be about that for him either to be fair.

“We’re going there to try to build on the win in Drogheda and to try to take another three points this weekend.”

Referee: Paul McLoughlin

 

MATCH STATS

Bohemians and Derry City have met on 74 occasions previously, with Derry City winning 36 of those games, Bohs winning 18 and 20 games have ended in a draw.

That pattern was maintained in the three clashes between these two sides in the 2022 season, with Derry City winning twice and the first clash in May last year ending in a 1-1 draw.

This season’s game at the Ryan McBride Stadium in the Brandywell saw Bohemians come out on top with a Dean Williams goal giving them a narrow 1-0 win and all three points.

BETTING

Bohemians 15/8; Draw 21/10; Derry City 13/10      

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 2 Derry City

 

Bohemians

Injured:  James Akintunde

Doubtful: Jay Benn, Jordan Flores

Suspended: None

Derry City

Injured:  Ciaron Harkin, Colm Whelan, Mark Connolly, Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McEleney.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

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