SSE Airtricity League
Monday September 20 2021
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Exclusively live on LOITV

Bohemians assistant manager Trevor Croly has urged Bohemians to turn their games in hand into wins as they aim to break into the top three to secure European football for 2022.

The Gypsies are currently in fifth on 37 points with 24 games played.

They are eight points off third-placed Sligo Rovers who have 45 points from 27 games.

In between the two sides is tonight’s opposition, Derry City, who have 38 points from 26 games.

It makes for an intriguing clash at Dalymount Park tonight with both sides gunning to close the gap on the Bit O’Red.

It also sees the return of all members and season ticket holders to Dalyer for the first time in 564 days.

Croly said: “It’s a huge game.

“We have games in hand but you have got to go and win them and this is a big one.

“Our games against Derry have been tight this season and last. Ruaidhri Higgins has gone in and he has done a good job, so we know it is going to be tough again.”

There is a hectic fixture schedule between now and the end of the season as a result of postponements from international call-ups and clashes with European games.

But there was a brief reprieve on Friday as the favourable half-time 3-0 scoreline allowed manager Keith Long the opportunity to substitute key men Keith Buckley, Andy Lyons and Dawson Devoy.

Bohs had taken advantage of the visitors going down to ten men – the ex-Bohs U19 captain Alex Kelly saw red for a late challenge on his former team-mate Devoy – with Conor Levingston and Keith Ward adding to Buckley’s opener to put the game beyond doubt at the break.

The Gypsies went on to add a fourth, with Roland Idowu bagging a goal on his debut off the bench.

Croly added: “It was great to win on Friday and great to get four goals. It was important that we were focused and ready to go.

“It was a shame that the sending-off somewhat killed the game.

“But it was great for Roland to score on his debut, and to have the young lads in the team – Jamie Mullins and Aaron Doran from the start, and Robbie Mahon from the bench.

“It’s difficult trying to recover having played on Friday night but the good thing was we were able to make a few changes at half-time being 3-0 up and with Maynooth being down to 10.

“We were able to get some bodies off and manage minutes, spread minutes out a little bit, which normally you can’t do.”

TEAM NEWS

Georgie Kelly returns from suspension. Ali Coote (hamstring) and Liam Burt (groin) are doubts.

Promise Omochere, a late withdrawal from the starting XI on Friday with a hamstring strain, is ruled out alongside Stephen Mallon (hip).