Three teams who still hold out hope of finishing with a flourish to claim this year’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title are in action this evening as Derry City host Sligo Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic slip across the Liffey to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
The RTÉ cameras will be up in Derry for the second time in a fortnight following on from their 2-0 FAI Cup semi-final win over Bohs at the Brandywell last Friday week.
The sides have since drawn 1-1 last Friday evening, a result which edged Bohs towards safety but put a slight dent in Derry’s title hopes.
St Pat’s are in the form of their life and will be looking to pick up where they left off from after a thrilling 3-2 derby win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park – also watched live on RTÉ Sport – which confirmed their potential league title credentials.
The Inchicore club will need an awful lot to go right for them over the next three weeks if they’re to pull off the most incredible title smash-and-grab in many a year – but things have certainly been going right for Stephen Kenny’s men of late.
Shelbourne still hold a shaky two-point lead at the top of the table on 54 points with three games left to play; Shamrock Rovers are in second on 52 points with the same games played. Derry lie a point further back with four games left; Galway are on 50 points with three to play while Pat’s and Sligo are both locked on 47 points with still four games to play.
It seems inevitable that goal difference will play a big part and that’s where Sligo’s slim hopes may become even slimmer. The Connacht men have a -7 goal difference while Pat’s are +8. Shels are on +9 while Rovers (+12) and Derry (+17) may feel they as good as have an extra point.
Word around the clubs
Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds was pleased with the reaction of his players away to Derry on Friday but says they need to build on that when the in-form St Pat’s come to Dalymount.
“It was a real game of two halves [against Derry] and ultimately I was pleased with our performances in both halves for different reasons,” Reynolds said.
“But it’s also another draw for us where I feel we could have won the game. That’s our tenth draw in the league this season and when we look back we know we have left a lot of points behind us in games we were capable of winning.”
Friday’s result, coupled with Drogheda United’s 0-0 draw away to Waterford, maintained Bohs’ four-point gap ahead of ninth place. But standing in their way of extending that advantage on Monday evening is a Pat’s side unbeaten in the league since July and who have won their last five games. Former Ireland manager Kenny has overseen a total turnaround in fortunes since a shaky start to his reign.
“They are a quality side. I expect an entertaining game, and I expect it to be open,” Reynolds said.
“They’re in the hunt for Europe and will be coming here with their tails up after a brilliant run. We know where we are at in the table, so we need to build on the positives of Friday and give absolutely everything of ourselves again.”
Bohemians continue to be without the injured Leigh Kavanagh, James Akintunde, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley, while Martin Miller is available once more.
Sligo Rovers travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium to take on Derry. This game was initially meant to take place on Friday, 4 October but was rescheduled due to Derry’s involvement in the FAI Cup.
This will be Rovers’ second visit to the Brandywell this season after claiming a well-deserved draw with Ruaidhiri Higgins’ side back in May.
Rovers’ recent form against the cup finalists has been impressive, having not lost to the Candystripes in their last four meetings. Sligo boss John Russell was handed a boost this week with the return of both John Mahon and Conor Reynolds to the matchday squad for Wednesday’s mid-season friendly against Celtic.
Both players appeared for the latter portion of the late defeat to the Scottish outfit after missing the season to date with Achilles and leg injuries respectively. However, neither Mahon or Reynolds will be available to travel to Derry.
In other team news, Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh, Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon will all miss out due to knocks.
“It’s another really tough game against a title-challenger, but again we embrace these sort of games and really look forward to them”, Russell, who signed a new contract last week, said.
“These are the games you want to be involved in where you’re still in with a great chance of getting a European spot. We’ll be doing all we can in these last few games to secure as high a finish as we can.
“We were genuinely unfortunate not to take the win from Tolka against Shels, so Derry will know they can expect a game.
“We have a very good record against them recently and we’ll be looking to maintain that. They’ll be playing in front of a sold-out, expectant home crowd and also in front of the RTÉ cameras so it’s a huge night for everyone.
“They have a vast squad to choose from and have huge experience in all areas of the pitch, so it’s no wonder they’re chasing a double.”
Watch Derry City v Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland on Monday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Kick-off 7.15pm. Follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
