Bohemians -v- Dundalk

• Simon O'Gorman
• Tue, Sep 20 2011




Bohemians and Dundalk will go again in their FAI Cup quarter final tie at Dalymount Park tonight after they fought out a scoreless draw in the original fixture at Oriel Park last Friday night. (Kick off, 7.45pm)

 

Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon is likely to be without veteran Ollie Cahill for this replay but that looks to be his only worry in terms of squad availability. Goalkeeper Barry Murphy and defender Aidan Price both returned from injury to play the full 90 minutes in the game at Oriel Park and remain part of Fenlon’s matchday squad for Tuesday night.

 

Bohs have performed reasonably well in the Cups this season, knocking out Douglas Hall and Longford Town to get this far in the FAI Cup. They suffered an early exit at the hands of First Division leaders Shelbourne in the second round of the EA Sports Cup but have battled past both Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne to reach the final of the Leinster Senior Cup in which they will play St Patrick’s Athletic on October 10th. In fact, Bohs have lost just once at home in Cup competition this season, losing 2-1 to Portadown in the Setanta Cup way back in March.

 

The Gypsies league form will also give cause for optimism to the home support. Bohs have won their last three league outings and have lost just one of their last six, a 1-0 home defeat to Premier Division leaders Derry City.

 

Dundalk will also feel that their Cup form this season merits respect. On their route to the quarter finals they have disposed of Galway and Drogheda while their Setanta Cup adventure took them past Linfield, Glentoran and Cliftonville and all the way to the final where they lost out 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

 

However, the Lilywhite’s recent league form has been less than convincing. Ian Foster’s men have failed to win any of their last seven league encounters, managing five draws but losing to Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians. Their only win in their last ten league games came at Belfield where goals from the now departed Daniel Kearns and Johnny Breen put paid to UCD.

 

Foster is unlikely to play Stephen McDonnell in this fixture, despite the fact that the midfielder took his place on the bench for Friday night’s scoreless draw. McDonnell’s return to match fitness is being hampered by the absence of a reserve team and he remains some way off readiness for first team action.

 

Further bad news is that defender Colin Hawkins is likely to be missing for another six weeks with a ligament sprain, while midfielder Stephen Maher will now miss the remainder of the season with a fractured metatarsal.

 

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Ollie Cahill.

Suspended: None.

 

Dundalk

Injured: Colin Hawkins, Stephen Maher.

Doubtful: Stephen McDonnell.

Suspended: None.

 

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Paddy Power Odds: Bohemians 8/15; Draw 13/5; Dundalk 11/2.

Extratime prediction: Bohemians to make home advantage count an win through 2-1.