THERE IS ONLY one place to start this weekend as the biggest show in domestic football rolls around for the first time this season.
Yes folks, it’s Bohemians versus Shamrock Rovers. The biggest game in the League of Ireland gets its first appearance of 2011, with the Hoops heading for Dalymount Park as champions.
Indeed, that is a title that will cause some ire at Dayler, but even the most ardent Bohs fan can’t deny that on paper Rovers are the number one side in the country at the minute. Anything can happen tonight however.
Bohs will know that they can overtake Michael O’Neill’s side with a win, a position that very few would have expected after four games when the Hoops got off to a blistering start. Indeed, it seems like an eternity since the pre-season littered with financial drama in Phibsboro that would make the IMF stand up and take notice ended, and despite the uncertainties around his future at the club Pat Fenlon has done a fine job in bringing some promising youngsters into the first team.
On the other hand Rovers’ squad is bulging, and regardless of the absence of Gary Twigg to a hamstring injury they have several capable options to replace the striker. That could, though, be a problem in itself. Who does O’Neill leave out and who does he play? Karl Sheppard has staked a claim to start the game after a fine performance away to Sligo in the Setanta Cup during the week, but there are many other options at the managers disposal.
2007 was the last time Rovers won away against their northside rivals, so a victory is probably due, but up against a fervent home support they’ll find it very difficult. Also, an unprecedented amount of these games end in draws so the wise money would be pointing towards that result once more.
Around the grounds
The rest of this weekend’s fixtures seem to be overlooked ahead of the derby, but there should be a terrific game in store at Oriel Park where Sligo travel cross-country to play Dundalk. The Bit O’Red are beginning to build a run together in the league, despite losing to the Hoops in the Setanta Cup on Monday night, while Dundalk will be keen to overcome last week’s disappointing defeat away to Derry. Keep an eye on Lilywhites winger Daniel Kearns once again, because it probably won’t be long before he’s snapped up cross-channel.
Bray Wanderers, meanwhile, will be expecting to get their first home win of the season at home to lowly Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds. The Seagulls have been tremendous on the road to date, ending the champions’ unbeaten record at Tallaght last weekend, but they’ve only managed a point at home to date. They won’t have a better chance of amending that against Drogheda, the only team in the division yet to win a game.
Elsewhere, St Patrick’s Athletic host UCD at Richmond Park and the Students will need to start improving rapidly if they want to avoid getting dragged into a relegation battle. Pat’s continued their patchy start to the season with their third defeat of the campaign away to Sligo last time out, but should have enough in their locker to take the points against Martin Russell’s outfit.
Finally, Derry, on the back of last weekend’s dominant win over Dundalk travel to Galway and depending on other results the Candystripes could even be top by 9.35pm tonight. That would mean Sligo need to lose and Bohs need to win, but stranger things have happened in the Premier Division on a Friday night.
The pick of the First Division sees Shelbourne take on Monaghan United at Tolka Park in what should be a fascinating encounter against two of the promotion candidates.
Cork City will be hoping for a draw in the capital while they take on Finn Harps at home, and Limerick and Waterford will both be under pressure to win to keep up at the top with their respective trips to Mervue and Longford. Finally, Athlone make the trip to Wexford Youths, and Salthill Devon have a rest.
