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.
Kelleher is one to watch for the future. A very impressive young player.
@EK: I agree with you on this one too. Really excited about what Kelleher can bring to the Leinster squad. If he stays fit he could be a great player for us.
@EK: can’t wait to see him lining out for Munster in a year or two
As a Munster fan I must tip my hat off to the Leinster development system from the schools and the “A” team they really have produced amazing players and teams over the last decade it’s a shame Munster can’t seem to do the same with their young players they tend to favour size over talent
@Joe: it’s not that Munster aren’t picking young talent it’s just it’s not there. The Ireland u20s teams for the last few years tells you that
@PScald: Producing means means you put players there. Or did harry potter forget to wave his wand to put them there after a mid-air quidditich concussion?
@Joe: Munster A looked pretty good against a Leinster A team that included Dave Kearney, Adam Byrne, Ross Moloney, Peter Dooley, Noel Reid in Donnybrook a couple of weeks back
The silver ware keeps coming. Congratulations Leinster A.. what happens now? Do the A teams go into to storage till next year? I hope not
@PScald: I think ideally they play AIL and strengthen that
@PScald: No they will play Munster down in thomond on the 29th
@PScald: a lot of the Leinster A team will be playing for the first team during the internationals I would imagine, like the Byrne twins, Tom Daly, Mick Kearney, Ross Molony etc.
Great win with a strong squad. Interesting to see the future of this competition and the benefits for teams. The regions in wales seem to have enjoyed the game time.
Ronan Kelleher has in my opinion the potential to be our best international hooker since Keith Wood.
Brilliant for Leinster – watch out for Penney & Doris in the back row – awesome potential