Good news for Bohs with new stadium deal
KEITH Long (pictured) hopes that his Bohemians side can take advantage of the European distractions for their rivals so the Gypsies can move up the table.
With league action for Dundalk, Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic disrupted over the coming weeks due to their UEFA duties, Bohs can move to within three points of third-placed Rovers if they can get a win away to Longford Town tonight (7.30pm).
"It's an opportunity to get points on the board, so let's see how the league table looks after the weekend ," said Long.
"It does help that we don't have the distractions of Europe - and we'd like to be in that position this time next year. We're ambitious, but we have to be realistic about our ambitions too," added Long, eager to see a response after last week's poor showing at home to Drogheda United.
"It was a disappointing result - we were at home, and we're expected to win. But hopefully we can bounce back with a result and performance against Longford. Last week was a blip and we need to get back to basics and do the things that have served us well in the games to date.
"Games against Drogheda and Longford are extremely important for us. We need to keep going and keep the pressure on the teams above us - and the only way we can do that is by winning football matches," added Long.
There was good news off the pitch for Bohemians last night as Dalymount Park's ownership was transferred to the Dublin City Council.
The Council have acquired the property for €3.8 million and have undertaken to redevelop and maintain the iconic stadium as a major sports, cultural and community amenity after the move was endorsed by an Extraordinary General Meeting at Bohemians.
The deal will allow Bohemians to clear its debt and continue to play at the iconic venue for the foreseeable future.
This evening, crisis club Sligo Rovers welcome Galway United to the Showgrounds (7.30pm), the Bit O'Red still in a bit of bother after their botched dealings with ex-manager Owen Heary over the last week and caretaker bosses Joseph Ndo and Gavin Dykes will again look after Rovers.
In today's other top flight game, bottom side Limerick are desperate to avoid a run of eight straight defeats when they host Bray Wanderers at the Markets Field (6.30pm).