Sligo Rovers supporters will visit Dalymount Park in its current guise for possibly the final time before its redevelopment takes place, as the Bit O’Red go up against Bohemians this Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.
Works are due to begin at the historic Phibsboro venue next year, a stadium at which Rovers are unbeaten in five of our last six games.
This will be manager Darren Purse’s first game in charge at the old ground and in Dublin. He goes there without midfielder James McManus who misses out due to the terms of his loan from the Gypsies.
Rovers were without Jeannot Esua for last week’s draw with Waterford, while Ollie Denham was taken off at half-time after both players suffered slight knee injuries. Purse is hopeful both will be available for Friday.
Conor Reynolds and Jad Hakiki are unavailable.
This will be the fourth league meeting of Rovers and Bohs this year. Both have won at the other’s ground, with Alan Reynolds’ charges twice seeing off Rovers at the Showgrounds. While Dalymount was the scene of a memorable win for Rovers back in April, when goals from former players Will Fitzgerald and Sean McHale overturned Zane Myers’ early opener.
Bohs currently sit third, seven points off their bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers at the summit and have claimed three wins and a draw from their last five league outings.
Speaking to sligorovers.com, Purse says he is expecting a different game following more ‘physical’ encounters with Kerry and Waterford at the Showgrounds.
He says: “One thing you can say about our lads since I’ve come in is that they’ve been really resolute. They put their bodies on the line and play with heart and that’s a huge thing for me.
“They’ll have to do the same again Friday in Dublin. It’s probably not going to be as physical as the last few games.
“Bohs will look to play through the lines and they’ll want to play football. But we have to be as resolute as we have been the last few weeks, again. Hopefully we can add that bit quality in the final third to that and that will give us an opportunity, we hope, to win the match.
“The number of goals Bohs have scored recently shows that they’ve got quality. They look to get the ball forward and it’ll be tough and they’ll be a bit different to what we played recently.”
Purse was pleased with the backing his team received from the stands back home at the Showgrounds last Friday in that tense stalemate with Waterford.
At what will be a sold out Dalymount, he’s hoping for the usual noise from the ‘Mono’ Stand when and says his boys will need vocal backing throughout the tie.
“Wherever we go, it’s important to hear our fans. It’s big for the players.
“Sometimes, you go away from home and you’re under the cosh and that’s when we need them to come together.
“Also for the players and from our point of view, we need to give our supporters something to get excited about. We want to give them a club to be proud of. We’ve got eight massive games to come now so hopefully, we can give them something to sing for on Friday.”
David Goulden