BOHEMIANS v SHAMROCK ROVERS
Friday February 16 2018, Dalymount Park
Please note earlier kick-off time of 7.30pm
Bohemians host old rivals Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park in tomorrow’s SSE Airtricity League opener with both sides looking to ignore the hype and do their talking on the pitch.
Unprecedented demand saw the home fans’ allocation to this fixture sell out two weeks in advance, while the away end followed suit shortly afterwards.
It’s the first time since 2005 that the opening night fixtures have thrown up the Dublin Derby. On that occasion, Bohs and Rovers played out a 1-1 draw at Dalymount.
The build-up in recent weeks has been dominated by a sense of anticipation among both sets of supporters and Bohs manager Keith Long acknowledged: “This fixture is a great way to start the league campaign.
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“The sell-out signs have been up in Dalymount Lane for two weeks, which is great to see. It’s just a pity Dalymount no longer has the capacity of years gone – there has been massive interest.
“It’s a big occasion for the supporters and everyone involved with both clubs. But for both sets of players, it’s about getting it right on the pitch.
“Our players have worked hard in pre-season and we believe they will be focused and disciplined in their approach.”
As well as putting the hard yards in on the training ground, Long and his backroom team have worked tirelessly over the closed season to strengthen a squad that had to contend with some high-profile departures such as Ismahil Akinade to Waterford as well as the sales of rising stars Fuad Sule and Warren O’Hora to Barnet and Brighton respectively.
Even today, Long, despite strong competition, was busy finalising a deal to bolster his attacking options with the arrival of 21-year-old striker Eoghan Stokes (above) from Leeds.
Subject to international clearance, he will go straight into tomorrow’s matchday squad.
The former St Kevin’s Boys frontman joins Darragh Leahy (Coventry City), JJ Lunney (St Pat’s), Rob Manley (UCD), Ryan Swan (Cabinteely), Dylan Watts (Leicester, loan) among the new faces at the club.
But there are some familiar faces making a welcome return too with Keith Buckley (Bray Wanderers), Kevin Devaney (Galway United) and Karl Moore (Bray Wanderers) all rejoining a squad that retained most of its key men from last season.
Looking forward to his fourth season at the helm, Long said: “It’s opening night, with new arrivals at both clubs, so there is change and it will take time for new players to settle.”
These old foes met three times in the league last season with Rovers winning the first two before Bohs claimed the spoils in the sides’ final meeting in Tallaght Stadium.
The bookies once again have Rovers as favourites, but Long remains undeterred.
He added: “It’s no secret that we don’t have the resources that they have, we have tended to go into games against Rovers as underdogs.
“But we can enjoy that tag a little bit too and try use it to our advantage and have our supporters behind us.
“That bond between players and fans is something I’ve preached about since coming in, that was key for us last year.
“There was a definite connection there. Even when we were under pressure, fans didn’t waver.
“That helps players grow in stature and we’ll need that for this game as well as every other one this year.
“It’s an even more competitive league now. We’re not fazed by that but we will need that support again every step of the way.”
TEAM NEWS
Long’s pre-season preparations were rocked by a double blow to his attacking options.
First, Ryan Swan suffered a torn cruciate, which could rule him out for the majority of the season.
Then that loss was compounded with Cristian Magerusan fracturing his metatarsal.
But Long has acted quickly to bolster his front line with the additions of Rob Manley (UCD) and Eoghan Stokes (Leeds).
