BOHEMIANS, ST PATRICK’S Athletic and Derry City are all in action on Friday night in the Airtricity League Premier Division.
Bohs look to build on Sligo win
Bohemians are flying high after they ended Sligo Rovers’ long unbeaten run in the Airtricity Premier Division last week, and they will hope to inflict similar damage when Derry City visit Dalymount Park on Friday night.
Derry sit on top of the league, having gone 11 games unbeaten, on goal difference from Shamrock Rovers.
Keith Buckley misses out for Bohs after suffering a broken nose in the 1-1 friendly draw against Everton, while Stephen Traynor is also out with an ankle injury.
Anto Flood, however, is fit and well and got on the scoresheet against David Moyes’ side.
Knee injury Gareth McGlynn will not be involved for Derry and doubts remain over Kevin Deery and Ruaidhri Higgins.
Bohemians currently lie ten points behind Derry in the table but the Phibsborough side has two games in hand.
Bray out for revenge
Bray Wanderers go into the clash with Dundalk hoping to get revenge for the Louth side’s 5-1 win the last time the two teams met.
The Lilywhites stand two points ahead of Bray in the table going into the match at Oriel Park, having been held to a 2-2 draw by arch rivals Drogheda United in the Louth derby last week.
Dundalk will again be missing Eoghan Osbourne, Stephen McDonnell and Colin Hawkins, the latter of which has a hamstring injury.
For Bray – who cruised to a four-goal win over Galway United last weekend – Gary Dempsey and Kieran Waters are doubtful but recent signing Kevin Knight could start the game after making an impressive substitute appearance last week.
St Pat’s aim to bring it back
St Patrick’s Athletic may have seen their season come unstuck in recent weeks but they are currently only seven points Derry City with a game in hand, and they will look to bounce back with victory over Drogheda United at Richmond Park.
Mick Cooke’s side has improved throughout the season and he has added stability to what was an ailing club, while Pete Mahon’s men have suffered for their European exploits and player unrest.
The Saints, however, welcome both goalkeeper Gary Rogers and Shane McFaul back from suspension, with Sean O’Connor the only doubt with a calf strain.
Jack Flynn, Colm O’Brien and Peter McMahon are out for Drogheda because of injury but Cooke will still hope that his side can move up to eighth in the table, something they will be able to achieve if they can avoid defeat.
