League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Brendan Graham
• Fri, Feb 16 2018




BOHEMIANS

The arrivals gate at Dalymount Park has been quite a busy one for Keith Long during the off-season with no less than nine new arrivals at the club including striker Eoghan Stokes from Leeds United announced this week.

 

The 21-year-old will go straight into Friday’s squad subject to international clearance.

 

Darragh Leahy, JJ Lunney, Rob Manley and Dylan Watts will all be looking to make their Bohs debuts as well.

 

Keith Buckley, Kevin Devaney and Karl Moore have returned to the club and should be available for selection.

 

Ryan Swan and Cristian Magerusan both miss out through injury.

 

Shamrock Rovers may be favourites but Keith Long is relishing the return to action and in front of their own fans.

 

"It's no secret that we don't have the resources that they have, we have tended to go into games against Rovers as underdogs. 

 

"We can also enjoy that tag a little bit too and try to use it to our advantage and have our supporters behind us.”

 

Long has been full of praise for the fans since day one and has reiterated how crucial their support will be for the opening game and for the long season ahead.

 

"That bond between players and fans is something I've preached about since coming in, that was key for us last year.

 

"There was a definite connection there. Even when we were under pressure, fans didn't waver.

 

"That helps players grow in stature and we'll need that for this game as well as every other one this year.”

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Stephen Bradley has also strengthened his squad nicely ahead of the season opener and is delighted with how pre-season has gone with the squad just back from training camp in Portugal.

 

"It was great in Portugal, we got to play some good games and got to do some good training so a really good ten days.

 

“The players get to know each other even more and they're living out of each other's pockets. They have to face each other every day so from that aspect it was great.”

 

Experience seems to be the key ingredient that Bradley was looking for in each of his signings ahead of the new league season with Greg Bolger, Joey O’Brien, Ally Gilchrist, Joel Coustrain and Ethan Boyle joining the Hoops for 2018.

 

The Shamrock Rovers head coach is hoping to hit the ground running this year starting with three points against Dublin rivals Bohemians.

 

“We know we have to start better than we did last year. We dropped too many points in the first round of games and we can't do that again this year. It obviously left us well off the top two points wise come the end of the season so we know we have to start right.

 

“You always look forward to the first game of the season but this is Bohs away. It's a Dublin Derby, it's a sell out and we should bring a great crowd.  If this game doesn't whet your appetite then you shouldn't be involved in football and that applies to everyone, player, fan, coach or whatever. It's going to be a tough game. The lads are really looking forward to it. We're ready to go.”

 

Shamrock Rovers go into this game with a clean bill of health with the only absentee being Trevor Clarke who is suspended.

 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

 

MATCH FACTS

Bohs are a team who generally enjoy the opening night of the season and are out in front in terms of opening day wins in the modern era winning 19 games from a total of 33.

 

Shamrock Rovers have won five of the last seven meetings between the two sides and will be looking for back to back away league wins over Bohs for the first time since 2001.

 

BETTING

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

 

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2 – 2 Shamrock Rovers

 

Bohemians

Injured: Ryan Swan,  Cristian Magerusan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Trevor Clarke