Bohs stand in way of Pat’s recovery bid
Gypsies focused on Dublin derby test
TIM Clancy has called on his St Patrick’s Athletic’s players to deliver ‘a massive reaction’ ahead of a potentially pivotal derby tonight against Bohemians at Richmond Park.
‘We’re down a little bit. The performances were not good enough. We’re looking for a positive start against Bohs and a positive reaction,’ he said.
For the Saints, the first doubleheader of the new season was a weekend of woe.
Hammered 5-0 at Dundalk, they contrived to lose 2-1 to Sligo Rovers, having had an extra man for 70 minutes.
For a team with their ambition, such setbacks come with greater scrutiny and Clancy must oversee a response tonight, and carry it through against Shamrock Rovers on St Patrick’s Day.
Leaking seven goals stung, and defender Tom Grivosti acknowledged ‘a bad weekend’.
‘It was bitterly disappointing. We have to bounce back, and there is no better way to do it than a sell-out at home in a Dublin derby,’ he said.
It’s early days but Bohs are top dogs in Dublin and will stay that way no matter what unfolds in the three Premier Division games across the capital tonight.
Declan Devine’s passion, coupled with Pat Fenlon’s sagacity, has seen Bohs bolt from the traps with three wins in four. Should they extend that winning return tonight, self-belief will surge.
‘The players are confident in themselves and they are confident in the players around them,’ said Devine, who is not afraid to shuffle his cards to ensure he plays the right hand.
‘We have shown over the four games we have played, that we will bring fresh legs on in the latter stages of games because none of our players coming on will weaken us.
‘We have defensive and attacking options, and serious competition, particularly in midfield. You have to go after every game and pick the right personnel.’
With the leading Dublin clubs trading blows on either side of the Liffey, the division’s two form teams, Derry City and Dundalk, lock antlers at the Brandywell. Under Ruaidhrí Higgins, Derry City have re-emerged as a force in football, and last year’s Extra.ie FAI Cup triumph could be the first of many trophies. For all their success in Cup competitions, a return of two titles since they joined the League of Ireland is modest for a club of Derry’s size. They made a snap start last year but were unable to sustain it. Higgins has assembled a deeper squad and a return of six points from two trips to Dublin in 72 hours was a statement of intent. ‘It’s only been four games so no-one is getting carried away. We don’t want to hide behind anything either though,’ said Higgins. ‘We want to improve on last season and improving on that means a very real challenge to winning the title. We have the group of players here now to do that but we have to stay focused and try to build on a good start.
‘We’ve had a few injuries, but compared to last year, we have been able to bring genuine quality into the team.’
Dundalk’s record at the Brandywell is astonishing, with one defeat in 18 visits since 2012, and they head north in fine fettle after six points last weekend.
‘Our confidence is high after the last two results. It’ll be a good sort of measuring stick for where we are at,’ said manager Stephen O’Donnell.
‘There are a lot of links between the clubs. Myself and Ruaidhrí (Higgins) are big friends but that goes out the window once the match starts. You don’t win matches on your historic record over 10 years. It’s about the here and now.’ @Quinner61