Kenny looking for more heroics

Champions League: Having established a reputation himself for fielding teams with a strong emphasis on attack and a certain bravado when it comes to defending, it's safe to assume when Stephen Kenny describes his team's opponents in this evening's second round Champions League qualifier at Dalymount Park as "cavalier" that it's intended as a compliment.

The game against Rosenborg will be the Dubliner's 72nd in charge of Bohemians and to date there hasn't been a goalless draw.

Against a team that has conceded its share of goals in European competition during the past decade, particularly away from home, but has a habit during the qualifying rounds of scoring enough to prevail regardless, it's a record that seems highly unlikely to be broken. There should be goals then and a good deal of entertainment for the 8,000 or so who manage to get tickets to the game.

Kenny is determined his team will not settle for being heroic failures. There is clearly a good deal of confidence within the Norwegian club's camp about progressing to face Deportivo la Coruna in the final round of qualifying before the group stages. The Bohemians manager, however, is anxious to identify this evening's match as having the potential to be a great day rather than merely a pay day for the eircom League champions.

"If we could progress," said Kenny, "we would be guaranteed eight games in Europe this season and even if we did lose against Deportivo you would be sure of getting another good side in the UEFA Cup. In one fell swoop money like that could move Bohemians on a long way."

Rosenborg, who expect to be pretty much at full strength for tonight's game, know all too well about the rewards that come with European success and, already a little irritated at finding themselves having to compete at this stage of the competition yet again, it is hardly surprising they expect to face the Spaniards in a couple of weeks' time.

Age Hareide, the coach appointed to succeed the immensely successful Nils Arne Egen, was careful to be respectful as he discussed the tie yesterday at his team's hotel. However, there was more than an element of damning Bohemians with faint praise as he talked about the "enthusiasm" and "hard work" of the Irish champions.

He added their approach was "almost identical to that of Shelbourne" who his then club, Brondby, beat comfortably a couple of years ago. He observed that this evening's hosts have "one class player, Glen Crowe, who can be dangerous if you allow him to be".

Crowe will indeed be crucial to the Dubliners. His record in European competition is remarkable with six goals in eight starts and one appearance from the bench. And against Kaiserslautern he proved he could perform against some very good defenders.

Of late he appears to have rediscovered his form and with Bohemians desperately needing to take a lead with them to Trondheim next week it seems likely the 25-year-old striker's ability to make an impact will be a major factor in Bohemians' fortunes.

Their visitors possess a wealth of attacking talent with the likes of Harald Brattbakk, Frode Johnsen and Azar Karadas (their likely front three this evening) all having experienced and done well against the sort of opposition encountered in the Champions League group stages.

Kenny, though, believes his defence can contain their opponents if they can cope with their set-pieces.

"They play in a very particular way. There tends to be a very strong pattern to everything they do," he says. "And they score a lot of goals from throw-ins and especially corners. We only have one six footer in Colin Hawkins so defending frees and corners is going to be a challenge for us but if we can do that and play again the way we did last Wednesday then I'd have to say I think we're capable of getting the sort of result we need.

"The game has certainly come at a great time for us," adds the Dubliner, who has a full squad to choose from and who looks certain to go with the same 11 starters as against BATE last week. "Glen and Robbie (Doyle) have been flying in the last few weeks, Shay (Kelly) has hit a bit of form and we've been strong at the back. It's very exciting, really great to be involved but we're not just going out there to put up a good show. We know we have our work cut out but the aim is definitely to beat them."

Derry City, meanwhile, will be without Seán Hargan for this evening's FAI Cup second round replay at St Colman's Park. Hargan is unable to travel due to work commitments while Cobh Ramblers' manager must wait to check on the fitness of John Andrews before naming his side.

Probably teams -

Bohemians: Kelly; Lynch, Hawkins, Heary, Webb; Ryan, Caffrey, Hunt, Rutherford; Doyle, Crowe.

Rosenborg: Johnsen; Basma, Riseth, Hoftun, Stensaar; Winsnes, Berg, Strand; Karadas, Johnsen, Brattbakk.

Second qualifying round Bohemians v Rosenborg