Airtricty League Premier Division: Bohemians v Derry City (Friday, 7.45pm)
DERRY City’s Barry McNamee feels a former team-mate is one of Bohemians’s main threats ahead of tonight’s clash at Dalymount Park.
Midfielder Sean Ward has been in super form for Keith Long’s side this season and McNamee (right)knows all about the ex-Dundalk man.
“We know Bohs’ strengths and weaknesses, we watched a good bit of them on Wednesday,” he stated.
“They are going to be a big team, they play on set-pieces and will be threats from long throw-ins, but they also have Wardy and Dinny Corcoran who have a great understanding up front, so they are going to have threats from all over the pitch.”
The Ramelton man concedes that he would sacrifice hitting double figures this campaign if it meant City booked their place in the Europa League for next season, especially after he missed this season’s games against Danish side Midtjylland.
“Every year I look to improve, last season I scored eight goals and I have already seven this year, so obviously I want to break double figures this year,” he added.
“I have no doubt I can do that but again, if we finish fifth in the league and I crack double figures it will mean nothing to me.
“It’s all about doing what I can for the team and making sure we qualify for Europe and I think that’s the aim for everyone in the changing room.”
The 25-year-old, who has missed a few games this season with injuries, wants to bounce back this evening against the Gypsies after last week’s disappointing loss at St Patrick’s Athletic.
“Obviously it was disappointing to miss the two European games, but now is about getting back to basics and working hard,” he confirmed.
“To be fair I didn’t have my best game on Friday night at St Pat’s, I would admit that and I’m sure anyone who was at the game would say that too, but like the team, it’s about trying to bounce back now.
“I have scored a few goals this year, but to be honest it never did matter if I scored or who scored it’s always about getting the three points and doing the best for the team, so we just have to knuckle down and work hard for each other.”
City travel to Dublin this evening with a fully fit squad as they welcome back defenders Conor McDermott and Aaron Barry, with Harry Monaghan the only man missing out through suspension.
Elsewhere, this evening in the Premier Division, the match of the night sees bottom side Drogheda United make the trip to fellow strugglers Galway United. St Pat’s, who are still in the relegation zone, host Bray Wanderers in front of the eirSport cameras, while tomorrow night Limerick entertain Sligo Rovers.
Dundalk host Shamrock Rovers on Sunday evening at 5pm.
In the First Division, leaders Waterford take on Cobh Ramblers at the RSC, Athlone Town visit UCD, Cabinteely have home advantage over Shelbourne and Wexford face Longford Town.
