WHILE ACCEPTING it’s now Sligo Rovers’ title to lose, Ian Bermingham is reluctant to throw in the towel just yet on St Patrick’s Athletic’s tenuous hopes of winning the league.
With leaders Sligo idle tonight, St Patrick’s will hope to build on their impressive 3-0 defeat of Derry City at Richmond Park last Monday when they face Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
“It was a good win, great to get a few goals and keep a clean sheet as well,” said left back Bermingham. In third place on goal difference, Liam Buckley’s side remain 11 points behind Sligo, although with a game in hand.
“We’ve just to keep winning our games and see where it takes us. We’re concentrating on ourselves,” added Bermingham.
Buckley adds recently signed Brazilian defender Hernany Macedo to his squad, while winger Darren Meenan returns from suspension.
Bohemians are without captain Owen Heary (back) and midfielder Ryan McEvoy (ankle). Teenage central defender Kevin Feely is back from suspension, though goalkeeper Andy McNulty needs a fitness check on an ankle.
Shamrock Rovers have leading scorer Gary Twigg back fit as they hope to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games when Shelbourne visit Tallaght Stadium.
Billy Dennehy is suspended, however, while defender Graham Gartland and midfielder Stephen ODonnell remain out injured.
After what he called the “completely unacceptable” display in losing 2-0 at home to Derry City last Friday, Shels manager Alan Mathews has promised a better performance from his side tonight, though defenders Gareth Matthews, Brian Shortall and midfielder Kevin Dawson are all suspended.
Suspensions also keep central defender Alan McNally and winger Gavin Brennan out of second-placed Drogheda United’s trip to Bray Wanderers. Ex-Shelbourne midfielder John Sullivan is a doubt due to an ankle injury.
Bray continue without suspended top scorer Jason Byrne. Defender Dave Webster is also absent due to a ban.
Derry City will be without defender Stewart Greacen, winger Owen Morrison and striker Rory Patterson for the visit of Cork.
Striker David McDaid returns from suspension.
Suspension deprives Cork of winger Daryl Horgan to add to the injury list of John Dunleavy, Colin Healy, Dan Murray, Neal Horgan, Cathal Lordan and Eoghan Murphy. Goalkeeper Mark McNulty, Danny Murphy and striker Vinny Sullivan all return from suspension.
Leading scorer Gary Shanahan is suspended for Dundalk as they face UCD in a meeting of the bottom two at Oriel Park. Ex-Ireland under-21 striker Barry Conlon comes into the squad.
