Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers - Match Preview

**DRDoc** · 03/04/2007, 3:19 AM

taken from http://myirishfootballblog.blogspot.com/

This game is probably the biggest derby in Irish Football. Two of the countries most successful and well known clubs go head to head this Tuesday night in the Eircom Premier League.

Bohs have had a slow start to the season. Pre season a new manager arrived and along with him a host of big name players. Sean OConnor is an ambitious manager who has plans to go on to big things in bigger leagues - Last season his newly promoted Sligo Rovers had a great season. He has brought to Bohs some class proven players - most notably Glen Crowe,Owen Heary and Neale Fenn but also Chris Burns, Harph Singh and Darren Mansaram. On the opening day of the season they played out a no score draw with title hopefuls Drogheda. Next up was a trip to Bray and a defeat by one goal to nil and last Friday night they returned from Waterford with their first win and first goal of the season

This Bohs side undoubtedly has potential. Glen Crowe is a prolific goalscorer and has been for years - he should be hitting his prime around about now. Neale Fenn is a clever forward with a great touch who is great at holding the ball the up and bringing others into play - he gets a few goals also and has a great eye for a pass - his old club Cork City are really missing him this season. Owen Heary seems to be a favourite with most people and has won just about everything in recent years as captain of Shelbourne. Chris Burns has been touted as the most under rated central defender in the league and a big player for years to come. Add these new players to the likes of JP Kelly and Kevin Hunt and you can see why Bohs were being tipped as so called dark horses for the league this year.

Given their resources Bohs should be a force in Irish Football over the coming years - whether or not they will be serious contenders this season remains to be seen but in fairness it does take time for a group of players, some old some new, to get to grips with a managers ideas and thoughts on how the team should be set up to play. I saw a lot of Sligo Rovers last season and for the most part I was impressed with their organisation. They were able to move from defence to attack quickly, the formation differed depending on whether they were in possession of the ball or not and if tactical changes were made there didnt seem to be a problem putting it into effect seemlessly. I have no doubt that OConnor will be trying to instill the same values in this Bohs squad however work ethic and team work were certainly not something that the squad possessed in any worthwhile quantity last season

Rovers are back in the big time this season after just one year out of the top division. They romped the first division last season and have brought last seasons form with them into the Premier Division. They have made a great start. On the opening day of the season they drew zero zero away at UCD - that's a credible result given the amount of teams that have failed to get a win in Belfield in recent years. They followed this up with a 2-0 win over Longford Town at Tolka Park and just last Friday night they saw off Galway Utd by one goal to nil - also at Tolka Park.

Rovers have kept clean sheets in each of three opening games. They are a well organised team that really work hard for each other. They are a young team who are probably just as fit as their full time counterparts at Dalymount Park, but they also have a few experienced players in the squad such a Barry Ferguson and Dave OConnor. They are tight in defence but they are not an overly defensive team - they do try their best to counter attack quickly though and they are quite good at it.

Bohs are without Kevin Hunt and Owen Heary and more than likely Harph Singh also. Rovers will also be without their captain as Price is out injured. Dave OConnor will also miss out but Barry Ferguson and David Cassidy are again available for selection.

These teams met last season in the quarter final of the FAI Cup - the tie ended in a draw at Tolka Park and Rovers convincingly won the replay in Dalymount Park. In fact Rovers have won two of their last three visits to Bohs and drew the other.

The Bookies have home team Bohs as favourites - at a price of around 1.90 (10/11), whereas Rovers are as long as 4.00 (3/1) with Paddy Powers. Rovers have 7 points from their 3 games and Bohs have 4 points from their 3 games. Rovers have scored 3 and conceded zero and Bohs have scored 1 and conceded 1 - those goal stats point towards a low scoring game!

I reckon the bookies are underestimating Shamrock Rovers as they are playing away from home and are only new to the top division - also Bohs are the big boys in terms of well known players and financial resources - plus they are at home of course. I myself will be putting my money on Rovers to win or draw the game at odds of about 1.89 - that's at Pinnacle Sports and the bet is Rovers on the Asian Handicap + 0.5

**Raheny Red** · 03/04/2007, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by DRDoc

taken from http://myirishfootballblog.blogspot.com/

This game is probably the biggest derby in Irish Football. Two of the countries most successful and well known clubs go head to head this Tuesday night in the Eircom Premier League.

Am I mssing something?

**Erstwhile Bóz** · 03/04/2007, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

Am I mssing something?

Premier League football?

**Block G Raptor** · 03/04/2007, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by DRDoc

taken from http://myirishfootballblog.blogspot.com/ On the opening day of the season they played out a no score draw with title hopefuls Drogheda. Next up was a trip to Bray and a defeat by one goal to nil and last Friday night they returned from Waterford with their first win and first goal of the season

. On the opening day of the season they drew zero zero away at UCD - that's a credible result given the amount of teams that have failed to get a win in Belfield in recent years. They followed this up with a 2-0 win over Longford Town at Tolka Park and just last Friday night they saw off Galway Utd by one goal to nil - also at Tolka Park.

Rovers have kept clean sheets in each of three opening games.

0-0 written all over it

**Raheny Red** · 03/04/2007, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Erstwhile Bóz

Premier League football?

Not a chance

**hoops1** · 03/04/2007, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Erstwhile Bóz

Premier League football?

Quality

**NY Hoop** · 03/04/2007, 1:25 PM

Two of the countries most successful and well known clubs?

That would be Rovers and Shels.

Great coverage for this fixture but the fact that its on midweek means attendance will be down. Had this original fixture gone ahead when it should have it could have got more than 4,000.............

KOH

**BohsPartisan** · 03/04/2007, 1:35 PM

Two OF
not
The Two

**NY Hoop** · 03/04/2007, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

Two OF
not
The Two

Apologies gypo. My mistake. These derby days do that

Any chance of our flag back?

KOH

**BohsPartisan** · 03/04/2007, 1:42 PM

If I had it there would be.

**BohsFans** · 03/04/2007, 5:01 PM

Originally Posted by Erstwhile Bóz

Premier League football?

POTM

**kdjaC** · 03/04/2007, 7:49 PM

1-0 rovers purcell 29 mins

kdjac

**GavinZac** · 03/04/2007, 7:54 PM

Originally Posted by Erstwhile Bóz

Premier League football?

POTM!

**kdjaC** · 03/04/2007, 8:26 PM

1-1

Crowe

kdjac

**kdjaC** · 03/04/2007, 8:34 PM

2-1 bohs Mc Guinnes

kdjac

**SkStu** · 03/04/2007, 8:48 PM

was watchin it on aertel - couldnt believe it. You absolute beauty!

**Mr A** · 03/04/2007, 8:51 PM

Meanwhile Limerick finished with just 8 men in losing 3-0 in Cobh to exit League cup in some style.

Galway United came from behind to beat Monaghan 4-2.