Tallaght Stadium to host crunch Dublin derby between Rovers and Bohemians

THIS Friday sees the second Dublin Derby of the season between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians FC. With both sides going into the fixture in absolute red-hot form, reports Scott Mahon. 

Four points separate the sides who sit in 2nd and 1st respectively, reports Scott Mahon. Rovers come away from the bank holiday weekend with 6 points to add to their tally as well as two excellent performances.

Friday saw them beat Sligo Rovers by 2 goals to 1.

Johnny Kenny, who is beginning to really make a name for himself at the club scored once again, this time coming back to haunt his former side.

The other scorer was Trevor Clarke. The two scorers were also the same two scorers in their previous game against St Pats.

The third scorer from the game was also former Rover’s midfielder Greg Bolger.

Attention then turned to Monday nights fixture, which saw the reigning champs travel to the Brandywell to play the Presidents cup champs.

Richie Towel started this one ahead of Rovers top scorer Graham Burke.

The decision would pay of when Towell magnificently got on the end of a looping header from Trevor Clarke to clip the ball past Brian Maher in the Derry net to make it one-nil.

Rovers midfield magician Jack Byrne would control the game all night long before he would also get himself on the scoresheet.

Just before the half time mark, a costly mistake from Brian Maher when he came to clear the ball only for it to end up in the path of Byrne.

The one person you wouldn’t want the ball to fall to with an empty net in front of him.

Byrne looped the ball over the stranded Derry defenders before it trickled into the back of the net and secured the win for the Hoops.

The perfect run of form leads Rovers into a massive opportunity to close the gap between them and arch rivals Bohemians FC. Last time out the Hoops left Dalymount with a comfortable and convincing win against their rivals.

Friday will see them hoping for more of the same when Bohs travel to Tallaght in what will be a highly anticipated fixture. It could see the title race really begin to heat up at this early stage in the season.