Russell is new boss
SHAMROCK R v BRAY W 7PM MARTIN RUSSELL was appointed Bray manager yesterday and takes charge away to Shamrock Rovers tonight.
Russell (above) had long been lined up to succeed Dave Mackey - who resigned in April - but acted as advisor to caretaker Graham Kelly instead.
It is understood that Russell had not intended taking charge for a few weeks yet but his appointment had to be made yesterday.
Kelly’s permitted 60-day tenure as caretaker expired yesterday but the Rovers-bray game was moved back to tonight owing to yesterday’s women’s World Cup qualifier in Tallaght.
Bray officials asked the FAI to extend it to cover tonight but were blocked and Russell was parachuted into the top job. Kelly stays as a coach.
Meanwhile, Ronan Finn (nose) and Dan Carr (groin) are the Hoops’ main injury concerns tonight.
BOHEMIANS 1 DERRY CITY 2 RORY HALE scored his first goal for Derry as they made it a remarkable 10 straight wins over Bohemians since manager Kenny Shiels took charge.
The one consolation for a very sluggish Bohs was Limerick losing at Dundalk which keeps Keith Long’s Gypsies three points clear of the relegation play-off place.
The first quality moment took until the 22nd minute to arrive as Derry took the lead.
A delightful turn by Aaron Mceneff made space and his through ball found Hale (left) who shot under Shane Supple.
It got worse for Bohs three minutes later when a Mceneff corner was only partially cleared to Hale who drilled a low shot back into the box for Rory Patterson to score with a tap-in. Bohemians got a goal back with their first shot on target on 86 minutes, sub JJ Lunney sweeping home.
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