SSE Airtricity League
Monday October 25 2021
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Exclusively live on LOITV.ie
Audio-described commentary: access4all.bohemians.ie
Match tickets: tickets.bohemians.ie
There is familiar opposition at Dalymount Park tonight as Bohemians host Waterford in the SSE Airtricity League just three days after doing so in the Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final.
There was a lot riding on that game with a place November 28th Aviva Stadium decider up for grabs.
Georgie Kelly’s late, late effort after a terrific ball in by Promise Omochere settled that in Bohs’ favour but there is a lot riding on tonight’s game too, and the Gypsies will be hoping the Jodi Stand is in full voice once more.
For the hosts, it is a chance – after Sligo Rovers drew with Finn Harps and Derry City lost to Drogheda United – to move up to fourth with a win as Keith Long’s side aim to qualify for Europe through the league.
For the visitors, it is a chance to leapfrog Harps and move out of the relegation play-off position once more.
So while Bohs fans are still basking in the joys of Friday’s semi-final victory, Long’s men are fully focused on the task at hand.
Friday’s game was a tense and energy-sapping one, so Long is likely to have his hand forced when it comes to assessing tired bodies and who is fit to play this evening.
He said: “We have some injury concerns ahead of the game but we will give the lads every chance to be fit with so little time for recovery .
“All our efforts and focus is on finishing the season as strongly as we can and finishing as high up the table as possible.
“Every game is tough in this division and especially at this time of the year when results can be unpredictable.
“We are in the middle of another tough period of games and we will need everyone fit and ready.
“We’ve six games left and have to give everything to make sure we’re fighting for Europe through the league. We’re very much in the hunt.
“We have to get back into Europe and we are going to try to do it through the league. It would be nice to secure at least fourth going into the cup final.”
While his attention is now on those remaining six league games, speaking directly after Friday’s game, Long did allow himself to enjoy the achievement of the club reaching its first FAI Cup final in 13 years.
He said: “The win was more for the supporters than anyone. They’re craving a day out and we’ve given them something to look forward to.
“It is a big step for some of the young players we’ve got in this group too.
“The club is built for success now because we’ve built sustainably for the last few years.
“We haven’t been frivolous because we can’t as we’re a members’ club. I think everybody can see the direction the club has been going.”
TEAM NEWS
Fatigue after the short turnaround could lead to enforced changes to the starting XI.
Stephen Mallon (hip) remains ruled out, while Bohs-SKB and Ireland U17 midfielder James McManus has been promoted to the first-team squad for this game.
