Soccer

Champions Dundalk the acid test for in-form Bohemians

Keith Long’s side face a real test of their mettle against visitors to Dalymount

Keith Long: “It’s a big challenge, but also a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against some of the best players in the league.” Photo: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Keith Long: “It’s a big challenge, but also a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against some of the best players in the league.” Photo: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Paul Buttner
Tue Mar 24 2015 - 01:00

Bohemians won't lack for self-belief as they relish the visit of champions Dundalk for a top-of-the-table clash at Dalymount Park.

Keith Long’s Gypsies lead the Premier Division table on goal difference after three solid wins without having conceded a goal.

Dundalk travel with an almost identical record in anticipation of giving the home side what should be their first major examination of the campaign.

“It’s a big challenge, but also a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against some of the best players in the league,” said Long.

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Added incentive

"The players will need no added incentive. We'll go into the games (this and Shamrock Rovers on Friday) with confidence and with a belief in our ability that maybe we can pull off a surprise."

With Dan Byrne and Dave Mulcahy still out injured, Long could well field an unchanged side for the fourth game.

Likewise, Dundalk, though they remain without injured captain Stephen O’Donnell, look set to keep faith with the same starting XI.

Manager Owen Heary will be hoping his Sligo Rovers side can get their first win of the season by putting one over Pat Fenlon's Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

“Pat, to me, is the best manager in the country and that is what I want to go and achieve over the next couple of years,” said Heary. “I know how he goes about his business and he does it very professionally. We’ve done that here since we came in. We’ve turned things around and made things as professional as possible. The results will start to come . . .”

Family commitments rule out Sligo midfielder John Russell while goalkeeper Richard Brush and defender Jeff Henderson are out injured.

Fenlon hopes to have striker Danny North back from a knee injury to face his former club. Key midfielder Keith Fahey should be passed fit having come off due to stiffness in Friday's scoreless draw with Cork City. Left-back Luke Byrne, however, remains out with a hamstring injury. TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated) Premier Division: Bohemians v Dundalk; Cork City v Galway United; Drogheda United v Limerick; Longford Town v Bray Wanderers (8.0) St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City; Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers.