League Preview: Dundalk -v- Bohemians

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, Oct 27 2023




DUNDALK

Dundalk host Bohemians at Oriel Park this evening as the two teams chase down a European berth (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Lilywhites sit in sixth place but can move up to fourth if they win and other results go their way.

“We have an outside chance,” said Lilywhites head coach Stephen O’Donnell. “We have two games left and we’re still in there pitching for Europe and for fourth place.

“We’re three points – and two goals – behind Bohs and we are two points behind Shelbourne with two games left so we’re the outsiders in a three-horse race.

“Obviously the FAI Cup final will dictate a lot but we need to win our two games and see what happens then. Even if we do that, there’s no guarantee we’ll get into Europe, but we want to be in a position where if someone slips up, we’re there to capitalise.”

“It’s a massive game against Bohs and we know what we have to do,” he said. “The aim over the next two games is simple, just win, so we need to keep pushing for fourth place and keep going for it.

“We obviously have to rely on results elsewhere to go our way but if we win our last two, it might present an opportunity and that’s all we can do.”

John Mountney remains out for Dundalk through injury.

BOHEMIANS

Reeling from the loss of Keith Buckley via a long-term knee injury, Bohemians make the trip to Dundalk knowing that they need to win to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive.

With the Gypsies already in the FAI Cup final, a fourth place finish would secure European qualification for Declan Devine’s men.

And with fixtures against Dundalk and Cork City looming, they are close to securing their place in fourth.

“We now have three cup finals coming up, starting with this one. The players are really hungry,” Devine said.

“We know it is going to be difficult as Dundalk have the second-best home record in the league this year, just in front of ourselves.

“But we have prepared well all week. It’s like a cup game. A defeat or a draw is no good to us. We need to go and win.

“It’s a game we are looking forward to though, it is not a game that should bring us fear. Our performance levels have to be right, we have to be ruthless in both boxes, and do everything in our power to come away with three points.

“We want to get over the line for everyone at the club. We have three cup finals. We have two opportunities to get to Europe but we want to try and make sure that, before the cup final, we are already in Europe through the league.”

Buckley is Bohemians only absentee.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-0 Bohemians

 

Dundalk

Injured: John Mountney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Bohemians

Injured: Keith Buckley

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Rob Slevin: ‘Ollie (Horgan) showed up in Carrigaline, deep into Christmas. The lengths that he goes to sign someone, just speaks volumes about him.’ https://t.co/9RuDa6xidHpic.twitter.com/Iw4G53YqQZ

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) October 26, 2023