LOI preview: Early start for Bohs & Hoops at Dalymount

Rise and shine for a Dublin derby as the old rivals collide in an unusually early kick-off time at Dalymount Park.

Coldplay's massive gigs in Croke Park raised concerns about stretched garda resources for this bitter showdown, and so it's been moved to the morning shift.

There will undoubtedly be a spicy atmosphere regardless as Bohs chase an important win that would go some way to easing their increasing anxiety about being dragged into a relegation scrap.

Alan Reynolds' men are four points clear of ninth-placed Drogheda United with two games in hand but they're without a win in ten league matches.

Shamrock Rovers have slipped to sixth in the table. They, of course, have the UEFA Conference League to look forward to but the Hoops have a lot of work to do to mount a late title charrge. Indeed they really need to start stitiching wins together just to ensure they'll be back in Europe next season.

"It is what it is," Bradley said of the early start. "There's no point in thinking about it. The decision is made and there was nothing we could do to affect it, so there was no point wasting our energy on it.

"It’s a case of adapting and being ready for it. What this group has learned in recent years in terms of both domestic and European football is adapting and being robust. So that’s what we’ll be looking to do, we won’t be feeling sorry for ourselves either way.

"It’s an early kick-off so we’ll just get on with it and play the game."

"It is vitally important for us to get points on the board."

Reynolds has faith his out-of-form charges will get things right to start moving away from danger.

"This is a very important period for the club," he said.

"We are playing some of the top teams in the country over the course of the next month and