1. Heary steps into the hotseat
After four straight defeats in the league (goals scored: 0, goals conceded: 9) the Bohemians board finally decided this week that it was time for a change of direction and gave manager Aaron Callaghan the chop. There has been plenty of speculation about his replacement — Alan Mathews’ name has already been touted — but for now responsibility falls to Owen Heary who has been appointed as caretaker manager.
Heary won’t be in the dugout for tonight’s trip to the Carlisle Grounds; he serves a touchline ban following his red card against Dundalk last week and so first-team coach Terry Butler and U19 coach Graham O’Hanlon take charge.
Bohs haven’t won in the league since they beat Bray in late April. Now, with Shelbourne breathing down their necks, they desperately need to do the double against the Seagulls.
2. Byrne, baby, Byrne
One man who may have something to say about that is former Gypsy Jason Byrne, who leads the Bray attack against one of his (many) old clubs tonight.
Byrne, 35, picked up the Player of the Month award this week in recognition of a brilliant June in which he passed the 200 goal-mark and closed the gap again on all-time leading scorer Brendan Bradley (235).
Most memorably Byrne bagged four in Bray’s 5-4 thriller against UCD at the start of the month but the goals have dried up and he hasn’t scored since then. In his place 19-year-old Ismahil Akinade has taken up the mantle with three goals in his last three starts.
Bohs’ defence hasn’t been the most resilient of late and tonight could be a night for young and old to prosper in the Carlisle Grounds.
3. Rovers’ home improvement
By beating Derry last week, Shamrock Rovers moved to within nine points of league leaders St Pat’s and forced their way back into the title race — for now. Their inconsistency has been their Achilles’ heel this season and they cannot afford to drop any more points when UCD visit Tallaght tonight.
Hoops fans can take heart from the fact that their home form has been their strength. They are still unbeaten at home and six of their eight league wins have come at Tallaght.
UCD turned them over and won 2-0 when the sides met in Belfield earlier this season but Rovers are in a better place now and, with Pat’s, Sligo and Derry all on a weekend off, a win tonight would give them another big momentum boost.
4. Pat Hoban’s TV date
Dundalk’s remarkable run showed no signs of slowing last week as they thumped Bohemians 3-0, all of their goals coming courtesy of the red-hot Pat Hoban.
That hat-trick took Hoban to eight in the league and, still a couple of weeks shy of his 22nd birthday, the ex-Mervue man is looking to be a very shrewd signing.
He can showcase his talents to a wider audience tonight when he leads the Lilywhite attack against Cork City, a game which is live on Setanta Ireland. The last meeting between the teams was also televised with Hoban scoring to seal a 2-0 win and, after last week’s show, who would bet against him doing it again?
5. Limerick back after break
Between a long-awaited Munster hurling title and a marathon Bruce Springsteen concert, the city of Limerick has been in a state of constant party this week. Tonight it’s back to business for Limerick FC who make the trip up to Tolka Park for their first game in 10 days.
The long break since their 4-4 draw with Bray will have given manager Stuart Taylor plenty of time to iron out the defensive kinks exposed in that game but they will need to snap out of holiday mode to beat a resurgent Shelbourne. Shels have been much more solid since the arrival of Johnny McDonnell with three wins and a draw from seven league games and they’ll be hoping to follow up on last week’s surprise win over Cork.
Aitricity League fixtures (kick-off Friday, 7.45pm unless stated)
Premier Division
- Bray Wanderers v Bohemians
- Shamrock Rovers v UCD (Friday, 8pm)
- Shelbourne v Limerick (Friday, 8pm)
- Cork City v Dundalk (Friday, 8.05pm)
First Division
- Athlone Town v Salthill Devon
- Mervue United v Finn Harps
- Wexford Youths v Waterford United (Friday, 8pm)
- Cobh Ramblers v Longford Town (Saturday, 7.45pm)
