I’M FINN THE MOOD
Ronan: I really relish playing at Dalymount Park.. there is nothing sweeter than beating Bohs in their backyard
RONAN FINN says he gets more satisfaction winning a game in Dalymount Park than any other ground in the country.
The Shamrock Rovers captain has stoked the flames ahead of tomorrow’s sold-out derby clash with arch rivals Bohemians.
But he will hope his words don’t come back to haunt him as the Gypsies have often proved a tough nut to crack under Keith Long.
Last season alone they banked away wins at champions Cork City, runners-up Dundalk and third-placed Rovers themselves.
Finn said: “It’s perfect, a great game and if you can’t get up for this you probably shouldn’t play football.
“It’s a game you get butterflies for but they’re exciting ones. I’ve had highs and lows in Dalymount but as a Rovers player, these are the ones you look out for.”
Finn – who scored a last gasp equaliser for the Hoops in his first ever derby clash at Dalymount Park back in 2011 – reckons the pain of losing a derby lingers far longer than other games.
“You know what it means to the fans, you want the fans to be happy and you want the club to beat their biggest rivals,” he said.
Dalymount Park promises to be a raucous cauldron tomorrow night.
Due to the proximity of the rival fans, this Dublin derby tends to be a bit more electric in the old Phibsboro ground than at the more exposed Tallaght Stadium.
Finn (inset) and his team-mates will run a gauntlet of hate but he said: “Bohs fans seem to feel that this is their chance to get one over us at home.
“But there’s nothing sweeter than beating them in their own back garden. It’s probably my favourite place to get three points.”
While Finn wants to win the title, he also appreciates what Cork and Dundalk have achieved in the last four seasons.
They have been a class apart from the chasing pack, so bridging the gap – third-placed Rovers were 15 points adrift of runners-up Dundalk last year – is the first priority.
But to give themselves the best chance of doing so, Rovers must address the amount of red cards they shipped last season.
Stephen Bradley’s charges saw red 10 times in all competitions and in this preseason both Gary Shaw and David Mcallister walked during their tour to Portugal.
And the highly-charged nature of tomorrow’s derby means both teams will be walking a disciplinary tightrope.
Finn said: “Every game is difficult and it’s hard enough to get three points in the league without giving teams a headstart and playing against 10-men.
“Our discipline last year wasn’t good enough and we spoke about it and nailed it – it needs to be eradicated from the game.”