WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING the title is now Bohemians' for the taking, hope springs eternal for John McDonnell's St Patrick's Athletic, writes Paul Buttner.
It's 22 league games since Bohemians' only defeat of the season - at home to St Patrick's in mid-March. You sense a repeat, and an end to Bohemians' seven-match winning run, which has them 13 points clear, is required back at Dalymount Park tonight if aspirations of a 10th title making its way to Phibsboro aren't to come fully into focus.
"There is no doubt that it's definitely Bohs' to lose at this stage and fair play to them," said McDonnell. "They got a 1-0 the other night and they've been grinding them out and that's what you need to do to be there or thereabouts."
Keith Fahey, their match-winner there in March, is McDonnell's main concern due to a knee injury suffered at Linfield last week.
Defenders Des Byrne (suspended), Dave Rogers (hamstring) and Stephen Paisley (groin) are out, along with striker John Murphy (back).
On the plus side, Joe O'Cearuill, Gary Dempsey, Bobby Ryan and Gary O'Neill should be passed fit having been doubts for Friday's postponed game against Galway.
"St Pat's are a very good side and they have come to Dalymount already this season and won," warned Bohs manager Pat Fenlon.
Stephen O'Donnell, back from suspension, and fellow midfielder Glenn Cronin, fit following a knee injury, return. Gary Deegan completes the second game of a two-match ban while Mindaugas Kalonas, who scored in Lithuania's surprise 3-0 win in Romania on Saturday, is away on World Cup duty.
Should St Pat's be beaten, Derry City can move to second in the table should they win their refixed match at Turner's Cross.
Both camps are as they were ahead of Friday's postponement.
Cork are without Joe Gamble (suspended) and injured defender Pat Sullivan (ankle). Derry manager Stephen Kenny is without suspended duo Barry Molloy and Steven Gray, captain Peter Hutton (hernia) and midfielder Ciaran Martyn (ankle).
Tonight (7.45) League of Ireland Premier Division: Bohemians v St Patrick's Athletic; Cork City v Derry City. First Division: Athlone Town v Dundalk.
