Bohemians entertain Dundalk in Phisborough tonight and manager Aaron Callaghan believes his side have showed a decent level of consistency in recent weeks.
The Gypsies are currently seventh in the table, having last played in a 1-0 win over UCD two weeks ago.
“Apart from the one blip against Thor (a 5-1 defeat in the Europa League), we’ve been very consistent,” said Callaghan.
“Against Dundalk we’ll need to concentrate on our strengths of holding the ball and passing more, and hope to counteract their weaknesses.”
Callaghan added: “I watched their game against Rovers and they were looking very well-drilled. They were perhaps unlucky, in certain aspects, not to nick a win, and it was the same story against Derry.”
Earlier in the season, goals from Ryan McEvoy and Peter McMahon gave Bohs a 2-0 win at Oriel Park but since Darius Kearns took over earlier this month, the Lilywhites have put in a couple of solid performances – earning draws against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.
Dundalk caretaker manager Darius Kierans: “Everybody has got to stick together to see us through this difficult time. We have a few injuries going into Friday as well so it’s going to be very difficult.
“Bohemians are in good form in the league. They’ve won their last two home games, including beating Shamrock Rovers 4-0, and before that they drew with Sligo, so that shows what they’re capable of.”
Team news
Bohs have Dave Mulcahy and Dinny Corcoran back in contention after injury lay-offs but must do without suspended striker David Scully, who starts a five-match ban after receiving his third red card of the season against the Students last week.
Dundalk look set to be without Liam Burns (dead leg), Eoghan Osborne (shin), Conor McDonald (ankle), Ben McLaughlin (thigh) while Paul Walsh (groin) is a doubt. Shane O’Neill and Luke Danville left the club this week.
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Cork City v Shelbourne (Turner’s Cross, 7.45pm)
Fifth-placed Shelbourne travel south to take on Cork City tonight.
Shels went down to a late Gavin Brennan goal at Tolka Park last Friday night but had won their previous two league games before that. The Leesiders, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last three Premier Division encounters.
Cork City boss Tommy Dunne: “We know how tough the game will be; we know Shelbourne will come down and will be looking to attack us from the first minute, so we need to make sure that we start well and give them the same back.
“Games between the two sides have generally been very close in recent seasons, and I have no doubt that this game will be no different.”
Team news
Things have improved for Shelbourne on the injury front. Ian Ryan is fit to resume, having missed the last for competitive games and Glenn Cronin is likely to play some part, at least, having been side-lined since Derry at the start of June. There are no new injuries to report.
Stephen Paisley is suspended, having been red-carded against Drogheda, while Barry Clancy returns to action having missed the last three games due to a red card against St. Patricks Athletic.
Cork have a concern over Gavin Kavanagh (foot) and Shane Duggan (illness) but are at full strength otherwise. Stephen Paisley is out through suspension but Barry Clancy returns to action after his own ban.
Shamrock Rovers’ Daryl Kavanagh is tackled by Dermot McCaffrey and Ruaidhri Higgins of Derry City. Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers (Brandywell, 7.45pm)
Derry City and Shamrock Rovers will each be looking to return to winning ways after recent frustrations. The Hoops have drawn their last three league fixtures while the Candystripes have had a stop-start spells of results recently.
Derry City boss Declan Devine: “This league is very close and if a team can string together a few wins then they could be in the top three or four.”
“It is a big opportunity for us,” said Hoops boss Stephen Kenny. “If we win we can reduce the gap between ourselves and the league leaders to seven points. We need to go out and play well and take that opportunity.
“There is no doubt that we will be looking to win the game against Derry.”
Team news
Derry are without the suspended Conor Murphy but Ruaidhri Higgins should return from suspension. Stewart Greacen, Kevin Deery and Rory Patterson have been on the injury list recently. Rovers are without Aaron Greene (knee) while Ken Oman will do a fitness test before the game. Graham Gartland is also a doubt with a back concern.
Drogheda United v UCD, (Hunky Dorys Park, 7.45pm)
Drogheda United will bid to maintain their fantastic recent form that has seen Mick Cooke’s side win their last five games to go within four points of top spot. UCD held St Patrick’s Athletic to a draw last week but have not won in five.
“We are on a good run at the moment, but we have to translate our away form into some good results at home now,” Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke said. “I will just be taking everything one game at a time.
I think it’s still too early to call us title-contenders, we still have everyone left to play and we have to play Sligo twice.”
UCD manager Martin Russell: “Drogheda have had a fantastic season. Recent results have been extremely impressive and we know that the game in Hunky Dory Park is going to be very tough. It will provide an incredible challenge both from a footballing sense and physically but we are definitely ready.
Last time out against Pats was a great confidence booster for our lads, getting something from the game when in previous matches we might not have.”
Team news
Ryan Brennan is serving an additional one match suspension for his red card against St Pats. Gavin Brennan is suspended due to yellow cards while Brian Gannon is back following a knee injury.
UCD continue to have doubts over the availability of Ger Barron (toe), Graham Rusk (knee), Chris Mulhall (groin), Cillian Morrison (ankle) and Sean Russell (back).
Here's your Airtricity League Premier Division previews for tonight's action
Bohemians v Dundalk (Dalymount Park, 7.45pm)
Bohemians entertain Dundalk in Phisborough tonight and manager Aaron Callaghan believes his side have showed a decent level of consistency in recent weeks.
The Gypsies are currently seventh in the table, having last played in a 1-0 win over UCD two weeks ago.
“Apart from the one blip against Thor (a 5-1 defeat in the Europa League), we’ve been very consistent,” said Callaghan.
“Against Dundalk we’ll need to concentrate on our strengths of holding the ball and passing more, and hope to counteract their weaknesses.”
Callaghan added: “I watched their game against Rovers and they were looking very well-drilled. They were perhaps unlucky, in certain aspects, not to nick a win, and it was the same story against Derry.”
Earlier in the season, goals from Ryan McEvoy and Peter McMahon gave Bohs a 2-0 win at Oriel Park but since Darius Kearns took over earlier this month, the Lilywhites have put in a couple of solid performances – earning draws against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.
Dundalk caretaker manager Darius Kierans: “Everybody has got to stick together to see us through this difficult time. We have a few injuries going into Friday as well so it’s going to be very difficult.
“Bohemians are in good form in the league. They’ve won their last two home games, including beating Shamrock Rovers 4-0, and before that they drew with Sligo, so that shows what they’re capable of.”
Team news
Bohs have Dave Mulcahy and Dinny Corcoran back in contention after injury lay-offs but must do without suspended striker David Scully, who starts a five-match ban after receiving his third red card of the season against the Students last week.
Dundalk look set to be without Liam Burns (dead leg), Eoghan Osborne (shin), Conor McDonald (ankle), Ben McLaughlin (thigh) while Paul Walsh (groin) is a doubt. Shane O’Neill and Luke Danville left the club this week.
Cork City v Shelbourne (Turner’s Cross, 7.45pm)
Fifth-placed Shelbourne travel south to take on Cork City tonight.
Shels went down to a late Gavin Brennan goal at Tolka Park last Friday night but had won their previous two league games before that. The Leesiders, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last three Premier Division encounters.
Cork City boss Tommy Dunne: “We know how tough the game will be; we know Shelbourne will come down and will be looking to attack us from the first minute, so we need to make sure that we start well and give them the same back.
“Games between the two sides have generally been very close in recent seasons, and I have no doubt that this game will be no different.”
Team news
Things have improved for Shelbourne on the injury front. Ian Ryan is fit to resume, having missed the last for competitive games and Glenn Cronin is likely to play some part, at least, having been side-lined since Derry at the start of June. There are no new injuries to report.
Stephen Paisley is suspended, having been red-carded against Drogheda, while Barry Clancy returns to action having missed the last three games due to a red card against St. Patricks Athletic.
Cork have a concern over Gavin Kavanagh (foot) and Shane Duggan (illness) but are at full strength otherwise. Stephen Paisley is out through suspension but Barry Clancy returns to action after his own ban.
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers (Brandywell, 7.45pm)
Derry City and Shamrock Rovers will each be looking to return to winning ways after recent frustrations. The Hoops have drawn their last three league fixtures while the Candystripes have had a stop-start spells of results recently.
Derry City boss Declan Devine: “This league is very close and if a team can string together a few wins then they could be in the top three or four.”
“It is a big opportunity for us,” said Hoops boss Stephen Kenny. “If we win we can reduce the gap between ourselves and the league leaders to seven points. We need to go out and play well and take that opportunity.
“There is no doubt that we will be looking to win the game against Derry.”
Team news
Derry are without the suspended Conor Murphy but Ruaidhri Higgins should return from suspension. Stewart Greacen, Kevin Deery and Rory Patterson have been on the injury list recently. Rovers are without Aaron Greene (knee) while Ken Oman will do a fitness test before the game. Graham Gartland is also a doubt with a back concern.
Drogheda United v UCD, (Hunky Dorys Park, 7.45pm)
Drogheda United will bid to maintain their fantastic recent form that has seen Mick Cooke’s side win their last five games to go within four points of top spot. UCD held St Patrick’s Athletic to a draw last week but have not won in five.
“We are on a good run at the moment, but we have to translate our away form into some good results at home now,” Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke said. “I will just be taking everything one game at a time.
I think it’s still too early to call us title-contenders, we still have everyone left to play and we have to play Sligo twice.”
Read TheScore’s interview with Mick Cooke here
UCD manager Martin Russell: “Drogheda have had a fantastic season. Recent results have been extremely impressive and we know that the game in Hunky Dory Park is going to be very tough. It will provide an incredible challenge both from a footballing sense and physically but we are definitely ready.
Last time out against Pats was a great confidence booster for our lads, getting something from the game when in previous matches we might not have.”
Team news
Ryan Brennan is serving an additional one match suspension for his red card against St Pats. Gavin Brennan is suspended due to yellow cards while Brian Gannon is back following a knee injury.
UCD continue to have doubts over the availability of Ger Barron (toe), Graham Rusk (knee), Chris Mulhall (groin), Cillian Morrison (ankle) and Sean Russell (back).
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Airtricity League Premier Division Bohemians FC Derry City Drogheda United LOI LOI Live Shamrock Rovers Dundalk Shelbourne UCD