League Preview: Dundalk -v- Bohemians
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DUNDALK
The price of success is a more congested fixture list than before and Dundalk are finding out just how true that is this week as by the time they take to the field in Oriel Park to meet Bohs, they will be playing their third game in just six days.
Having beaten Sligo Rovers out west on Saturday night at the Showgrounds through Dane Massey’s 92nd minute winner, they then travelled to Tallaght Stadium on Monday to meet Shamrock Rovers in the first leg of their Setanta Cup semi-final and left with another win thanks to Richie Towell’s two first half penalties.
They enjoyed great success in this fixture last year, not losing to the Gypsies in 2013, by winning 2-0 at Dalymount Park and then besting them 3-0 at Oriel Park in the summer thanks to a Patrick Hoban hat-trick.
That game was significant in that it was the last time league legend and Bohemian FC boss Owen Heary started his last ever game. Unfortunately, it would be marred somewhat by a straight red card for a lunge at Hoban.
However, Stephen Kenny (a former Gypsies boss himself) has been impressed with Heary at the helm and believes the opposition are a much better side than they were last season: “Bohemians are much improved from last year, no doubt about it.
“They are a better side than they were before and Owen Heary is doing a terrific job. We are aware that they will be difficult opponents but we are on a great winning streak at the moment – four in a row and we are looking to continue that. Confidence is high and we will want to maintain our excellent form.”
Former Bohemians pair Keith Ward and Mark Rossiter are unlikely to play any part in the fixture. ‘Rossi’ definitely misses out with the hamstring injury incurred last Friday and although Ward featured midweek for the first time in a friendly game between a Dundalk select and a local outfit Woodview Celtic bringing great news that he is back out on the field, it is highly unlikely that Kenny will risk him as he looks to feature for the first time since last June when he picked up a cruciate injury against St Pat’s.
Simon Kelly remains sidelined through suspension.
BOHEMIANS
Bohs make the trip up the motorway on Friday night to take on Dundalk as they look to bounce back from their disappointing Dublin derby loss against Shamrock Rovers last week.
Despite playing well in front of a packed crowd at Dalymount Park, two late defensive lapses caught them out although they do look a much improved side on last season.
Although they lost twice against the Lilywhites last season, they did manage a draw at home through a last gasp Neil Yadolahi header. That goal, ironically, would hand capital rivals St Pat’s the league championship.
Goals have certainly not been as hard to come by for the Phibsboro men as they were last season and Owen Heary says that his side will be a danger on the counter again in Louth although they will look to be more defensively stable on the road than they were last week.
He said of the trip: “Playing at home, we take the game to teams and may leave ourselves a little open. Playing away, we have to set ourselves up in a way that we don’t get done and can still be an attacking threat.
“One thing you can’t give players is determination and will. They have to have that themselves. There were a few incidents [against Rovers] where we lost a tackle and ended up conceding a goal but we also created chances, and that was against one of the teams going for the title.
“It will be a a tough game against Dundalk because they are a squad that it is hard to find weaknesses in.”
Sadly for the Bohs supporters, talisman Dave Mulcahy remains out with a troublesome calf issue although he is set to resume training next week while Anto Murphy’s hamstring problem has proven to be more serious than first feared and he is another three weeks away from regaining fitness.
Andy Mulligan has returned to light training after a quad problem but will play no part although Craig Walsh is fit to play despite limping out of the derby during the second half last week.
Referee: Paul Tuite
MATCH STATS
It has been 23 years since Dundalk won their opening two home league games when they defeated Cork City and Sligo Rovers at the start of the 1991/92 campaign.
Oriel Park has often been a happy hunting ground for the Dubliners of late – they have lost just twice in this fixture in the past 13 years.
Not since 1990/91 have the Lilywhites beaten Bohs in successive games at the Carrick Road ground.
BETTING
Dundalk 8/15, Draw 13/5, Bohemians 11/2
PREDICTION
This could be the game when tiredness eventually catches up to Dundalk. Bohs have the threat to cause problems and a score draw seems likely. Dundalk 1-1 Bohemians.
Dundalk
Injured: Mark Rossiter (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Simon Kelly.
Bohemians
Injured: Dave Mulcahy (calf), Anto Murphy (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
