A spicy Dublin derby lies in store tonight when St Patrick's Athletic host Bohemians for a FAI Ford Cup semi-final at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.35pm.

Bohs have already sewn up the eircom Premier Division title, and a win tonight would bring them to within one game of completing their first double since 2001.

Both sides come into the game on the back of defeats. Pat's lost to Galway United on Monday and came in for some criticism for playing a severely depleted side. In the Saints' defence, however, they have been enduring an injury crisis of late and will be far from full-strength tonight.

Dessie Byrne suffered a hamstring injury against the Tribesmen which will keep the defender out for the rest of the season. Stephen Paisley, Gary O'Neill (both groin), John Murphy (back) and Bobby Ryan (knee) are already on manager John McDonnell's long-tern absentee list.

To add to their woes, the hosts are almost certain to be without top scorer Mark Quigley due to a knee problem, while winger Derek O'Brien and centre-back Jason Gavin are both cup-tied.

But despite their weakened state, playmaker Keith Fahey is still looking forward to the game.

I've been waiting for this game since the draw was made. It's a massive game and in many ways it's make or break for us for the season,' he told the club's official website.

'It's unfortunate that that's the case because we did well for so much of the season but tomorrow night is our focus now.'

The visitors picked up their well-deserved league title last Friday, but the occasion was spoiled somewhat by the 1-0 defeat to Derry City at Dalymount Park.

But the Gypsies will not have any presentation to distract them this week, and go in as favourites to reach the final.

Unlike their opponents, Bohemians have few injury concerns ahead of the game and the only definite absentee is the cup-tied Anto Murphy. Attacker Neale Fenn has been sidelined in recent weeks with a ligament injury but returned to raining this week and should be available for selection.

Fenlon, who has yet to taste cup success as a manager, admits that his side face a daunting task, but is confident his charges have what it takes to come away from Inchicore with the right result.

'There are few harder matches than travelling to Richmond Park to take on a very talented Pat's side,' Fenlon said.

'It will be a very difficult game for us but we have gone there before this season and won. We will have to call upon all our reserves of discipline and take whatever chances come our way but I am very happy with the squad of players I have,' he added.

Next Fixture

Waterford / April 19th @ 7:45pm
Competition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
  Tweet #stpatsfc

Team	Pld	Pts
Shelbourne	10	21
Derry City	10	16
Bohemian FC	10	16
Shamrock Rovers	9	15
St Patrick's Athletic	10	14
Sligo Rovers	9	12
Waterford FC	10	12
Galway United FC	9	11
Drogheda United	9	8
Dundalk	10	4