Limerick have a record that reads W4 D6 L4, and despite fancy predictions from some quarters, are probably sitting in roughly the league position most people would have expected of them.

Indeed, the table has now settled into something of a familiar look, with maybe only Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk in the opposite spots than would have been predicted, and Shelbourne 5 points worse than UCD and Bray another slight surprise.

Limerick host Sligo Rovers, who are seen by many as having “reacted well” to getting beaten 2-0 at Inchicore by St Pat’s. Their results since then, however, have included away draws at Shamrock and Bray, a home draw with Drogheda, and a Setanta cup elimination from the same outfit.

The manner of their 3-0 home win against Derry was convincing save for some generous refereeing decisions, but in general that Derry result may have been overplayed somewhat. In the Home-only league table, Limerick are two places better off than their league position of 7th, and at the result of sounding like a broken record here, this column is again tipping the draw at 53/21 on betfair

The other bet comes at the Tallaght Stadium, where the home side will hope to avoid another draw, which would incredibly be their tenth in 14 games this season (drawn 3 of their last 6). As they struggle to put a decent run together in the league, Trevor Croly will find that people will forget about the Setanta Cup final rather quickly. Tonight’s visitors are Shelbourne, and we all know how poor they have been this season, both in terms of discipline and everything else.

Even if they don’t snap a 3-game losing run in Tallaght, however, they have shown already this season that they can frustrate certain teams in certain games. They held tonight’s opponents scoreless in the first series of games, and tonight’s encounter may well again be low-scoring. Take under 2.5 goals at 6/5 with Pinnacle.

Our own game against St Pat’s will look an open and shut case for the neutrals. Our home record is poor, losing 4 of 7 thus far in the season. The Saints have been missing a league-winner’s ruthless edge for around ten years now, although as with most seasons, some observers will suggest this could be their year.

Killian Brennan is having a superb season and at his best he can drag those around him up another gear. Their general lack of ruthlessness means they don’t always do things the easy way though, and a short-list bet (not a full recommendation) for tonight’s game is the half-time draw at 13/11.

Recommended:
Limerick v Sligo Draw, 1pt 53/21 (betfair)
Shamrock v Shelbourne, under 2.5 goals, 1pt 6/5 (Pinnacle)

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In one of the most open and entertaining games at Dalymount this year, the Gypsies got off to an absolute flyer, and were two up within the opening 15 minutes.

The returning Stephen Traynor got the lead goal, and it was a cracker. He collected a half-hit clearance 25 yards from goal, skipped through two lunging Bray defenders, steadied himself, and let fly with an unstoppable right-footed strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. Sean Homes in the Seagulls’ goal could only watch as the ball flew past him into the net. A great way for Traynor to celebrate his inclusion in the World Student Games squad. He’ll travel to Russia in July along with Andy Mulligan and the rest of the Ireland team.

Just five minutes later, Bohs doubled their advantage. Good interplay between Karl Moore and Nangle down the left fed Lyons just on the edge of the box. The striker squeezed past Peter Thomson, who went to ground, sending Lyons sprawling and the Bohs fans appealing. Referee Paul McLaughlin must have been watching on Friday night, and gave Bohs what looked to be a soft decision. It seemed like Thomson got at least a toe on the ball. Bray were understandably miffed, and Lyons made no mistake from 12 yards – sending Holmes the wrong way.

After a superb opening 20 minutes for the Gypsies, Bray started to get a foothold on the game. Pat Devlin made seven changes from the team that beat Cork impressively in Turner’s Cross on Friday, but they still had some quality on the field – most notably 19-year-old Ishmail Akinade. The powerful Nigerian striker forced a corner on the half-hour mark and with it, Bray got back in the game. The near-post cross was flicked toward the back post where centre-half Danny O’Connor bundled it home. Bohs keeper Greg Murray appealed that the ball hadn’t crossed the line, but the goal stood and the tie was back on.

If Murray, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Monk’, was unhappy with his role in the first goal, he could safely say he had no chance with the Bray equaliser, which came on 38 minutes. Sean Hurley whipped in a beautiful cross from the left wing and Akinade was in the right place to power a header in from eight yards. Luke Byrne, impressive again at centre-back, could do nothing to prevent the towering header from the big man, which squared things up at the break.

After the flurry of first-half goals, it was plain to see that both managers had instructed the teams to tighten up in the second half. Chances were at a premium as both sides seemed wary of making a mistake that could send their team out. As Callaghan said before the game, this is a competition Bohs can win, and it showed in the intensity of their defensive concentration in the second half. Neither side created any clear cut openings, with Murray perhaps being the more active keeper, having to claw away a number of threatening crosses. It was no surprise to see the game finish 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Amazingly, Bohs started extra-time in almost the exact fashion as the regulation 90, with two quickfire goals in the opening 15 minutes. The introduction of Dave Scully was key to this, with the cult hero moving up front and Lyons retreating into a midfield role. Scully’s strike partner Kevin O’Leary forced a corner straight from the kick-off, and Bohs instantly retook the lead. Scully caused mayhem in the box and, after a scramble, the ball was cleared to the now deep-lying Lyons, whose shot deflected into the top corner.

With 97 minutes on the clock, Bohs’ place in the last eight was sealed. Sub Dwayne Wilson fed O’Leary, who turned a Bray defender and fired a crisp shot that wrong-footed keeper Holmes to make it 4-2. The remaining 20 minutes of extra time was the Scully show, with the striker playing to the crowd with a series of slaloming runs, tricks, and flicks. There was even a ‘stand up for Dave Scully’ chant that had most of the small crowd on their feet! Boss Callaghan might be a little concerned at 120 minutes for Man of the Match Byrne with a crucial home game against St Pats on Friday, but Bohs are through to the quarter finals, and that’s the main thing.

Bohemians: Greg Murray, Michael Barker, Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne, Ciaran Nangle, Karl Moore, Shane Murray (Darragh Reynor, 77), Stephen Traynor (Dave Scully, 91), Shane Fitzgerald (Dwayne Wilson, 59), Chris Lyons, Kevin O’Leary. Subs not used: Conor Little, Adam Kelly, Michael Scott, Saniago Miguel Falbo.

Bray Wanderers: Sean Holmes, Kevin Knight, Danny O’Connor (Dave Webster, 46), Conor Earley, John Mulroy, Peter Thomas (Kieran “Marty” Waters, 81), Paul Malone, Sean Hurley, Danny Joyce (Dean Zambra, 74), Daire Doyle, Ismahil Akinade. Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Paul Moffatt, Ger Pender, Ed McDonagh.

Bohs Man of the Match: Luke Byrne

Ex-Bohemians Craig Sexton, Corey Davidson and Robbie Gaul are among five players on standby.

Goalkeepers: Michael Schlingermann (IT Carlow/Drogheda United), Craig Sexton (IT Carlow/Athlone Town). Defenders: Dylan Mernagh (Waterford IT/Waterford Utd), James Scallan (IT Carlow/Arklow Town), Jamie Carr (IT Carlow/Wexford Youths), Niall Cooney (DIT/Crumlin Utd), Reece McEnteer (O’Fiaich College, Dundalk/Glebe North). Midfielders: Barry O’Mahony (IT Carlow/Mervue Utd), Brian Nolan (Waterford IT/Wexford Youths), Carl Forsyth (Sallynogin College/Mount Merrion FC), Darren Forsyth (Rathmines College/Mount Merrion FC),Cillian Morrison (UCD/UCD), Stephen Traynor (DCU/Bohemians), Tom King (GMIT Galway/Mervue Utd), Paul Malone (DIT/Bray Wanderers), Ray Foy (IT Carlow/Derry City), Andrew Mulligan (IT Carlow/Bohemians). Forwards: Garbhan Coughlan (University of Limerick/Athlone Town), Johnny Addis (University of Ulster Jordanstown/Carrick Rangers), Josh O’Shea (UCC/UCC). Standby players: Colin Scanlan (Limerick IT/Fairview Rangers),Corey Davidson (Pearse College, Crumlin/Carrick Rangers), Robbie Gaul (DCU/Salthill Devon), Samir Belhout (UCD/UCD), Tristan Dent (UCD/UCD). Manager: Danny Crowley (Colaiste Ide Dublin), Assistant Manager: Paul O’Reilly (IT Carlow), Performance Analyst: Gary Sweeney (IT Carlow), Equipment Officer: Paul Walsh (Griffith College Dublin).

Picture credit: Eddie Lennon (www.eddielennonsportingimages.com)

“If you get the right draws and right results you find yourself all of a sudden in a semi-final. It’s a very important game from the club’s perspective,” he added.

Looking back to Friday’s Dublin derby, Callaghan believes a draw was the least his side deserved having proved more than a match for their more illustrious opponents for large periods of the game.

Callaghan added:  “It’s chalk and cheese in terms of the personnel at the moment. We put it up to them on Friday and we fully deserved our point if not the three.

“The group that we work with, every day in training they work their socks off. Their attitude for the cause has been absolutely superb all season.

“We’ve had some tough games and we’re still a work in progress. I keep telling people I’m not trying to build a team, I’m trying to build a club and you can’t build a club overnight.

“It takes a bit of time to develop those young kids. But they’re growing in stature. Lukey Byrne I thought was absolutely brilliant on Friday alongside Dave Mulcahy, who got man of the match. You could have given it to five or six of our lads.

“Michael Scott came on for his debut. You could see the difference with what Rovers were bringing off the bench.”

With a congested fixture list, Callaghan expects “to rotate one or two players”  and his squad is boosted by the return of defender Roberto Lyons and striker Chris Lyons, who both missed Friday’s game through suspension.

But Keith Buckley – one of the star performers in Tallaght – misses out as he serves the first of a two-match ban having been sent off in last week’s 1-0 defeat against UCD.

NOTE: Members can attend this game for the reduced price of €5.

Despite suspensions for Chris Lyons and Roberto Lopes and an injury to Owen Heary, Bohs dominated in midfield areas, restricted the Hoops to long-range efforts, and looked extremely dangerous on the counter attack. Andy Mulligan was a constant threat, Dave Scully held the ball up brilliantly, and Dave Mulcahy was a rock at centre back. Only a dreadfully poor refereeing performance from Neil Doyle denied Bohs what would have been a deserved 3-points.

The visitors had the first chance after a fine break down the left. The returning Ciaran Nangle cut the ball back to Mulligan whose whipped cross was inches from Scully’s head. Bohs continued to control the game and after a scrambled corner, Dave Mulcahy nodded to Derek Pender who flashed a left-footed volley just wide of the post.  The excellent Mulcahy released Mulligan again down the left on 25 minutes, and the Carlow man was caught in two minds whether to cross or shoot. In the end he did neither, and his effort didn’t trouble Barry Murphy in the Rovers goal.

Rovers’ only first half chance came predictably from a set piece. Billy Dennehy’s whipped corner found the head of Ciaran Kilduff. His header from six yards had goal written all over it, but Dean Delany somehow managed to claw it onto the crossbar and over. The Bohs net minder has come in for a fair amount of criticism this season, but showed here why he’s been playing at the top level in the country for so long.

Rovers started to come into the game just before half time, and the whistle probably came at a good time for Aaron Callaghan’s men. After regrouping at the break, Bohs took control of the second half. The midfield trio of Ryan McEvoy, Keith Buckley and Shane Murray were bossing the game, finding spaces in between the lethargic Rovers duo of Finn and Robinson. Ten minutes into the second half, Buckley released Mulligan – who haunted Conor McCormack all night. Mulligan’s cutback found Scully, but the forward’s shot was rather weak and David Elebert blocked on the line.

Bohs were constantly creating half-chances, with long range efforts from Buckley and Scully flashing wide of Barry Murphy’s goal. At the other end it was a similar story. Ronan Finn had Rovers’ best long ranger, but Dean Delany didn’t have to make any saves in the second period.

A theme running throughout this pulsating Derby was the truly awful refereeing performance from Neil Doyle. A host of 50-50 calls went the wrong way for both sides, players were fooling him with exaggerated falls, and he dished out amazing yellow cards to Mulcahy and Scully. The icing on the cake came in the 80th minute when he gave Rovers a penalty with a decision that would have almost been comical if it wasn’t so important. Sean O’Connor’s cross fell to Andy Mulligan who tried to hook the ball over his head. Instead, he clumsily kicked it off his own face – but Doyle thought otherwise and pointed to the spot. TV replays clearly showed the ball striking Mulligan in the mouth – he even had a bloody lip to show for it! Ronan Finn sent Delany the wrong way and it looked like the Hoops had stolen the points. Doyle had even managed to miss a shocking two-footed lunge from Shane Robinson on Dave Scully just a couple of minutes before that. Many managers and pundits have commented on the standard of refereeing in the league so far this year, and this was another exhibition of poor decision making.

Luckily for Bohs, sweet Karma was smiling down as the sun set over the Wicklow horizon. With two minutes of injury time played, a long throw from Luke Byrne was only partially cleared to Ryan McEvoy in the box. Time stood still as he kept his head, kept the shot low, and sent the travelling support into a delirious frenzy. It may have taken a deflection, but tell that to the Bohs fans who had backed the team all night in the ground where they have suffered so much heartbreak. They could easily be forgiven for the pitch invasion that followed, it was a classic moment in another classic game between these two great rivals.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Conor McCormack, Derek Foran (Ken Oman 68), Jason McGuinness, David Elebert; Gary McCabe (Karl Sheppard 79), Ronan Finn, Shane Robinson, Billy Dennehy (Sean O’Connor 59); Thomas Stewart, Ciaran Kilduff. Subs not used: Richard Brush, Alan Kehoe, Stephen Rice, James Chambers.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne, Ciaran Nangle (Michael Scott 87); Kevin Devaney (Michael Barker 67), Ryan McEvoy, Keith Buckley, Andy Mulligan; Shane Murray (Karl Moore 67); Dave Scully. Subs not used: Greg Murray, Kevin O’Leary, Shane Fitzgerald, Dwayne Wilson.

Bohs Man of the Match: Dave Mulcahy

“I thought we were the better side against Cork for most of the match. Tommy Dunne [Cork City manager] said to me after the match they had got out of jail.

“Against UCD one or two contentious decisions swung the match. Those games turned on slight errors.”

Motivating the players has not been an issue but a derby match against Shamrock Rovers represents a particular challenge. “The magnitude of the game speaks for itself, given the past encounters between the sides. But I don’t do the history side of things. Every game is taken on its merits,” said Callaghan.

“Shamrock Rovers have shown what they can achieve when they’re on form. If we’re not 100 per cent on the night it’s going to be very difficult.”

Bohemians’ 1-0 win in Tallaght last September marked 19-year-old Greg Murray’s second league appearance in goal for Bohemians and, on Friday, he is likely to make his first league start this season. Dean Delany’s groin injury will probably rule him out after 13 successive league starts.

This is one of several enforced changes to the Bohemian line-up, as striker Chris Lyons and defender Roberto Lopes, both of them central to the team’s endeavours this season, are suspended.

The 3-5-2 formation used in recent games is likely to be set aside and Callaghan will consider the claims of Dwayne Wilson, Kevin Devaney and Dave Scully to start up-front or in a position just off the furthest forward.

Lopes was rested against Cork City after starting all 12 league games in the season up to that. “I knew the suspension was coming and the rest won’t do him any harm,” said his manager.

Looking forward to next Monday’s EA Sports Cup match at home to Bray Wanderers, Callaghan insisted that “the plan for the season was to win a trophy and this is a trophy we could win”.

“If you get the right draws and right results you find yourself all of a sudden in a semi-final. It’s a very important game from the club’s perspective,” he added.

The manager expects “to rotate one or two players” but is hoping that there are no injuries coming out of Friday’s match that require more changes than that.