FAI CUP QUARTER-FINAL Bohemians v Dundalk:HAVING FAILED to make the most of their home advantage last Friday, Dundalk head to Dalymount Park tonight needing to improve on their last league display at the ground if they are to have any chance of making it through to the last four of the Ford-sponsored FAI Cup.
It’s just eight days since Bohemians beat Ian Foster’s side 3-1 and while the Englishman feels there were signs of improvement in Friday’s original cup encounter, his side will have to do better against a team that has hit some home form.
The former Galway United boss is upbeat about the game, though, insisting a slightly changed tactical plan on Friday enabled his side to compete more effectively and thinks that in better conditions his side can take the game to their hosts tonight.
“Tactically, I thought we were a lot better. We changed the way we played a bit, going a little bit more direct. Last Monday, we were guilty of playing in front of Bohs without really hurting them.
“On Friday, we tried to turn them and utilise Ross Gaynor, Mark Quigley, Mark Griffin and Johnny Breen’s pace. We knew they had four experienced lads at the back that might be lacking in a yard of pace. So we tried to use our strengths up there and play behind them a little bit.
“I think we showed that we are desperate to get to the semi-final,” he added. “We know this game will be tough but hopefully the conditions will be an awful lot better for both sides and we can put Bohs under an awful lot more pressure.”
Gaynor, as it happens, is a doubt for the game and will need a pain killing injection if he is to feature. If he misses out then Jason Byrne seems likely to come back into the starting line-up. Colin Hawkins, meanwhile, is six weeks or so away from featuring due to a knee injury.
Bohemians are likely to be without Ollie Cahill again but Christy Fagan could return if Pat Fenlon decides to make changes.
The Dubliners will be hoping for a repeat of last week’s win over 90 minutes but Fenlon and co would probably settle for a rerun of the cup tie between these two sides two season ago when Bohemians also secured a scoreless draw at Oriel Park before, following another 120 minutes without a breakthrough, beating their rivals on penalties.
