LOI preview: Bohs begin new era against bitterest foes

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

The latest installment of the rivalry sees both sides on radically different trajectories. Shamrock Rovers are cantering towards a third successive league title and facing into an exciting and highly lucrative autumn of European football.

Bohemians, meanwhile, begin life after Keith Long in sixth position with both Shelbourne and Drogheda United nipping at their heels. Long was lauded for enabling Bohs to punch above their weight for the bulk of his eight-year tenure, amid high player turnover and a comparatively thin budget.

However, following on from last season's Cup final disappointment, performance levels dipped in 2022, Bohs slumping to the bottom half of the table. Top scorer Georgie Kelly, club captain Keith Buckley, Andy Lyons and Ross Tierney had all departed following the Cup final loss. Highly rated midfielder Dawson Devoy subsequently departed for MK Dons mid-season.

Last Monday's 3-1 loss at home to St Patrick's Athletic marked the final act for the Long regime.

Trevor Croly and Derek Pender take charge on an interim basis for tonight's game.

During Long's tenure, Bohs established a famously lengthy hoodoo over Shamrock Rovers from summer 2017 until the autumn 2019, winning seven of eight games and drawing the other.

This run finally fizzled out and it has gone into reverse since then, the rivalry now corresponding to wider form, Shamrock Rovers winning seven of the past 10 league fixtures, including all three meetings this season.

In the previous encounter at Dalymount last April, ex-Bohs players Lyons and Danny Mandriou scored in a 3-1 win.

It was confirmed this week that Lyons, the scorer of the home winner against Ferencvaros, was moving on again, heading for