Why are tickets only available in pairs?

We have understandably had some queries about the necessity to sell tickets in pairs only.

We are seriously hamstrung by the current Covid-19 restrictions to have two metre social-distancing in the stadium.

This is a government test event – there is no wriggle room here.

Despite having a seating capacity of 51,700, the only way we could get capacity as high as 6,000 was by selling tickets in pairs.

Our motivation throughout was to get as much of our fanbase under the one roof for the first time since March 2020 and behind our team.

We understand that selling tickets in pairs is frustrating for people. But to sell in singles, capacity would be drastically reduced, while the flexibility of selling in groups of more than two would require a bespoke Aviva Stadium seat map, which was not a runner for a one-off event.

We encourage fans to ‘bubble-up’ where possible, and we hope supporters will understand that this imperfect situation was preferable to having just 200 fans in Dalymount Park or 3,000 or so in the Aviva.

A lot of time and effort has gone into moving this game to the Aviva by club staff and volunteers.

And, notwithstanding the obstacles we have had to overcome and the less than ideal ticketing and social-distancing arrangements, we cannot wait to see you all on Thursday July 15 right behind Keith Long’s Red and Black Army.

• Direct link to purchase tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/18005ADEF18F305D

Tonight’s opposition top the table on goal difference ahead of Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers, with Bohs eight points adrift in fourth.

Long said: “This is an opportunity to refocus now. They have beaten us twice this season and we know how good a side they are.

“We had been on a good run prior to Sligo and it is important that we try to bounce back with a good performance.”

That defeat in the Showgrounds was a kick in the teeth for Bohs who went into the game in form with four wins in a draw from their previous five games.

But in an encounter that saw both defences carved open with unusual ease, it was Liam Buckley’s Bit O’Red who had their scoring boots on.

Bohs had an abundance of goal-scoring opportunities but could not – other than a Georgie Kelly effort that was controversially ruled offside – find the net.

Long said: “It was a chastening experience in the Showgrounds last Saturday as we struggled badly to follow up our wins here at home to Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers. The truth is we never got going, and were a little fortunate in the end that we did not concede more.

“It looked like we lacked energy and we did not play with the tempo and intensity of recent games.

“Sligo are a good side with good attacking players but we very much contributed to our own downfall, conceding some poor goals and failing to take the chances we created.

“I don’t want to take away from Sligo’s performance but it would have been interesting if the disallowed goal we got just after half-time had stood.

“Having watched the replay back numerous times, it’s difficult to see how Georgie is deemed to be offside and at 2-1 it would have been game-on having started the second half brightly.

“Instead, we conceded a bad third goal and were comprehensively beaten. It was a bad night for us and sometimes that can happen in football but it was not for the lack of effort from the boys.”

TEAM NEWS

Stephen Mallon (hip) remains a doubt.