PREVIEW Bohs can stretch ten clear

eleven-a-side
League leaders Bohemians have the opportunity to stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier Division to ten points when they host away-day-strugglers Cork City at Dalymount Park tonight.

The Leesiders have won just once away from Turners Cross all season, and that was at bottom of the table Bray Wanderers in October. They have lost six times on the road, but one of their three draws came in the clash against Bohs in Phibsboro earlier in the season, when they were denied a victory by a late, late Paul McNally equaliser.

At that stage, Cork were still in the running for title honours, but that is no longer the case – Liam Murphy’s side are eleven points behind with just six games remaining, and even should they manage to put a slight dent in Bohs’ title aspirations tonight, it would surely do no more than open the door for second-placed Shels.

Bohs have looked hot favourites for the league title since opening up a significant advantage thre months ago, and they have hardly faltered since then.

They underlined their champion qualities with an outstanding recovery against Shamrock Rovers last weekend, coming back from a half-time deficit to take the three points.

Their manager Stephen Kenny faces something of a defensive crisis tonight, with Colin Hawkins suspended, Irish under 21 international Jason McGuinness out through injury and McNally facing a late test, leaving Colin Hawkins – who has scored three goals in five games from centre back – as the only recognised first-team central defender in his squad.

Usual right back Damien Lynch could come into the reckoning for a central berth, with versatile veteran Tony O’Connor also in the running for a starting role.

For Cork, Conor O’Grady could win a recall at the expense of Alan Reynolds, who is suspended.