General
- Thursday March 28th, 2019 @ 17:43
Team News: Bohemians Vs St Pat's
St Patrick's Athletic make the short trip to Dalymount Park on Friday night for their SSE Airtricity League fixture away to Dublin rivals Bohemian FC, kick-off 7.45pm.
The Saints will be looking to bounce back against third place Bohemians following two league defeats to Shamrock Rovers and Waterford FC.
Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of the game, Saints' manager Harry Kenny spoke of the challenge he expects to face from the Gypsies in Friday's Dublin derby.
"Bohs have made a great start to the season under Keith Long and they are a well organised team with several players in top form at the moment. They have already had a few good results this season and will be tough opponents for us. We have had a little bit of a break to work on a few things so hopefully we can go to Dalymount and pick up a result."
In team news, Kenny will give a late fitness test to striker Gary Shaw ahead of the game, but otherwise has a full squad to select from as the Saints play their first game following a 2 week break due to last week's fixture vs Derry City being postponed due to international call-ups.
St Pat's were represented by midfielder Jamie Lennon who made his full Republic of Ireland under 21 debut in a 3-0 win over Luxembourg in Tallaght Stadium, while goalkeeper Brian Maher was a part of Tom Mohan's side that qualified for the UEFA Under-19 European Championships having come through qualifying games in Russia.
“I Don’t Know If Fans Realise How Important They Are†@Dean21Clarke has been chatting to us about
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) 28 Márta 2019
🚑 His return from injury
ðŸ'ª Getting the season going again
🟠Tomorrow’s visit to Dalymount Park
👠How the players love support home & away
🔴⚪ï¸âš½ï¸ #Saints2019 pic.twitter.com/nWAVtrys37
The challenge of facing Bohs is one that Dean Clarke knows will be a test of the Saints, however having scored a winning goal in a 1-0 win over the Gypsies last year in Dalymount Park, the winger told stpatsfc.com that he and his teammates can pick up the points if they can put in a good performance.
"Any time I have played in Dalymount it has always been tough as the crowd there are always very good. Bohs will always up for the game, whoever they face or whoever is available for them, they never let you rest. It will be a dogged game and it could be decided by one mistake, a set piece or a bit of magic from someone.
"We just need to go there and get back to the basics and doing things right. If it is decided by that one moment in the game, we need to make sure it goes our way."
With a large crowd in attendance at a lot of SSE Airtricity League games to date this season, Clarke admitted that the Saints' support has been superb so far this season and it is something he and the players are thankful of, with another big away support due to be in attendance in Dalymount Park come kick-off.
"The fans have been great this season and it really does make that difference for you as a player. When you realise a huge number of fans have made the effort to come and support you and the team, it gives you that boost so knowing that we will have a great crowd behind us, it really motivates you for the game."
