AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREVIEW:WHILE THE club may be at sixes and sevens financially, Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon is pretty content his on field targets are being met as they chase down Shamrock Rovers's five-point advantage going into the season's final quarter.
“We’re very pleased with the run of wins,” said Fenlon of the champions’ three successive league victories and their safe passage through to the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup ahead of tonight’s north Dublin derby at Sporting Fingal.
Extending that winning run will have to be achieved without the spine of his team, as defender Ken Oman (suspended), midfield anchor Paul Keegan (thigh) and striker Raffaele Cretaro (hip/suspended) are all missing. Winger Killian Brennan hopes to be fit following flu.
Sporting’s midfielder Shane McFaul injured his ankle during Monday’s FAI Cup replay at Limerick and needs to prove his fitness. Right back Ger O’Brien remains out with an ankle injury.
Leaders Shamrock Rovers have captain Dan Murray and striker Thomas Stewart back from injury for the visit of Sligo Rovers to Tallaght Stadium. Suspensions rule out defender Pat Flynn and midfielders Stephen Bradley and Stephen Rice, while central defender Aidan Price is a doubt with a hamstring strain.
Suspensions, injury, African Cup of Nations commitments and the recent transfer to Portuguese side Pacos Ferreira of the league’s leading scorer, Pádraig Amond, deprives Sligo of key players. Defender Derek Foran and playmaker Richie Ryan are suspended, Romuald Boco is away on international duty with Benin, while Joseph Ndo is an injury doubt.
Suspension also sees Dundalk without midfielder pair Stephen Maher and Tom Miller for the visit of Bray Wanderers to Oriel Park, while Matthew Tipton is struggling to shake off a back strain.
A shoulder injury means bottom side Bray wait on Jake Kelly, who scored twice in their cup win at UCD last week.
Defender Shane Guthrie and Derek Doyle, who both came off with ankle knocks in last week’s cup win over Belgrove, have been declared fit for St Patrick’s Athletic’s trip to Galway United.
Galway are without suspended midfielder Gary Curran, while Rhys Meynell (hamstring) and midfielder Ciarán Foley (ankle) must pass fitness tests.
A knee injury to Andy Boyle breaks up UCD’s regular central defensive partnership as they meet second-bottom Drogheda United at the UCD Bowl. Defender Jamie Harris has joined winger Brendan McGill out injured for Drogheda, while full-back Corie Treacy is suspended.
Tonight's fixtures (7.45 unless stated):Premier Division: Dundalk v Bray Wanderers, Galway United v St Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers (8pm), Sporting Fingal v Bohemians, UCD v Drogheda. First Division: Limerick v Longford, Monaghan v Finn Harps (8pm), Shelbourne v Salthill Devon (8pm), Waterford United v Derry City
