Bohemians vs Limerick preview

By David Kent (@Kento180)

Bohemians are desperate to keep a 5-point gap between them and Shelbourne, as they welcome Stuart Taylor and Limerick to Dalymount Park.

Bohemians

The Bohs have lost 6 on the spin in all competitions including the last 4 at home. Back to back defeats to Derry City sent them out of the EA Sports Cup, and leaves them in the playoff spot in the league, 5 points ahead of bottom of the table Shelbourne.

Speaking to the clubs official website, Aaron Callaghan felt his side were unlucky not to take a point from the Brandywell:

''Even Derry people commented on how well we played,” he said. “There was a little bit of naivete in the defending at times but it was against the run of play that they scored.
“We got back into it when Kevin [Devaney] scored and we might have nicked another. We kept going to the end and I’m a bit disappointed not to have got anything from it.”
On Monday in the EA Sports Cup against the same opposition, but in Dalymount, Bohemians put in “as good a performance at home as any all season”, according to the manager.
“We started well and we didn’t concede until the 82nd minute,” said Callaghan. “But when you look at Derry’s bench and at ours, you see the difference between the squads.”

On the injury front , Captain Owen Heary (hip injury) has returned to full training, but may not be fit for Friday. Dave Mulcahy has recovered from illness and Derek Pender returns from suspension. But Stephen Traynor (ankle) remains out and Andy Mulligan is in Russia with the Irish colleges squad for the World University Games – a trip Traynor missed due to injury.

Ryan McEvoy and Ciaran Nangle both have sprained ankles from training and face late fitness tests. New striker Conor Murphy could make a start.


Limerick FC
Having won a real thriller against Dundalk in the League, Limerick will have been stunned when Sligo put 4 past them in the EA Sports Cup on Monday. That was Limerick's first win in the league since the 6th of May, when they overcame Cork City. They currently sit two points ahead of their Munster rivals, 8 points off 5th placed Shamrock Rovers.

Limerick came out on top in the last game between the two, and Stuart Taylor thinks this could inspire the home team

“It’ll be a very difficult game because they’re going to be still sore from the last time we played.” Taylor added, ” Aaron has a huge amount of pride in his work and the way his team approaches game sand he’ll be wanting to make sure that his boys get a victory against us.”
“We have to continue to be professional as we always are, go out and do our jobs properly. The way we’ve approached away games has been pleasing to me, we haven’t always gotten the right result, but we don’t go in fear of anybody. That comes from our belief in ourselves, that we can beat anybody.”

Jeffrey Judge will sit out tonight's game as he is still suspended . Pat Purcell and Steven McGann remain out of contention .
Rory Gaffney is out following a foot injury

“Rory has the same injury on his foot as before and he will be a big loss” said Taylor “we await the results of his scan. Dave O’Leary and Shane Tracy are slight doubts for Friday but should be OK.”


Betting Odds courtesy of Paddy Power

Bohs 9/4
Draw 11/5
Limerick 9/5

Prediction: It'll be close between these two, with both looking to bounce back from defeats. I can see the away side just sneaking it! Bohemians 1-2 Limerick