General
- Friday August 26th, 2016 @ 9:51
TEAM NEWS: SAINTS Vs Bohemian FC (Friday 7.45pm, Inchicore)
Richmond Park plays host to Friday's big Dublin Derby as St Patrick's Athletic take on Bohemian FC in the SSE Airtricity League with Liam Buckley's side looking to come out on top (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Saints will be hoping for a repeat of their last home league game against the Gypsies at the start of the season which saw Pat's run out 3-0 winners. By contrast, Bohs will be hoping for a similar outcome that saw the Phibsboro side coast to a 5-1 win against the Saints at the end of May.
In team news, the Saints are without the services of defender Sean Hoare as he serves a one match suspension. Otherwise, Pat's manager Liam Buckley has a full squad to select from.
"Dublin derbies are always great occasions and Friday's game against Bohemians will be no different," Buckley told stpatsfc.com. "We've seen two very different results when the sides have met this year so a tight game is likely to be on the cards."
"We've put together a couple of results lately and that has been very pleasing. However we have still got to take it a game at a time, and fully focus on the opposition so our focus since last weekend has been on Bohs and putting in a performance to try and win the three points."
Saints defender Ian Bermingham scored a second half consolation when the sides last met in May in the league and he admits that the players are motivated to put right the performance which saw Keith Long's side run out easy winners.
"That was a crazy match that day for us," the defender told stpatsfc.com. "We were all over the place the first 20 minutes and they took advantage of that. Things are after changing now though as we've got a few results under our belt in the last while, so it'll be a completely different game."
"We know they have some players in forward positions who can hurt teams such as Curtis Byrne and Ismahil Akinade, while I'd know lads like Jake Kelly and Mark Quigley well having played with us before so there's no doubting they're a good side. That said though, we've been going well and if we can repeat some of the good performances we've put in lately, we can hopefully take the points."
On personal point of view, Bermingham has impressed lately from his left back position, chipping in with crucial interventions in the final third. The Ballyfermot man is hoping he can continue his recent form.
"It's been great that we've kept a few clean sheets lately as that reflects well on the back four, as well goalkeeper and for the effort of the whole team. However everyone knows I like to get forward so if I can keep adding a few assists and get the odd goal I'll be happy!"
