The Daily Star Ireland
Shamrock Rovers have ruled Irish football in recent years, claiming the championship four times in the past five years and still maintaining a strong presence in Europe. They made their season opening with a fine victory in Norway and it was a taste of what was to come before a stern test against fierce rivals Bohemians in their highly anticipated league opener.
Bohemians have been leaders in promoting the League of Ireland, both on the pitch and off it through their creative marketing. Their tributes to cultural icons such as Bob Marley, Phil Lynott, and Fontaines D.C. have resonated beyond the sport, and their collaborations with northern artists such as Kneecap have made them a club with a strong social identity.
This season, Bohemians have made a bold move to play their opening home game at Aviva Stadium
With the capacity limit at Dalymount Park leading to frequent sellouts, playing this game away allows them to capitalize on the growing popularity of the league. Over 30,000 supporters are expected to show up for the game, one of the biggest league games in recent years. Others would argue that a season-opener at Aviva should have involved Rovers hosting Shelbourne, with their shared heritage in Ringsend, but Bohemians’ decision to bring their top-of-the-bill game over the Liffey adds an extra element of tension to already volatile Dublin derby.
The 1990s Bohs-Rovers conflicts were marked by their ferocity, although the football itself was not always on the same level as the off-field saga. Although, Rovers’ 1993-94 campaign under the management of Ray Treacy was the exception to the rule, as they assembled a strong team that included prolific goalscoring winger Stephen Geoghegan, hard-tackling midfield duo John Toal and Alan Byrne, and imposing presence Paul Osam. The title-winning side gave Rovers’ fans plenty of stick to aim at their detested rivals, who had not claimed a league title since 1978.
With the start of the new millennium, Bohemians turned the tables, winning four league titles prior to Rovers’ eventual end to their 17-year title drought in 2010. More recently, although Rovers continued to dominate the league, Bohemians have struggled to keep up. Their championship win was in 2009, and the recent seasons have seen them further down the table, falling as low as eighth last season. This has created concerns that Bohs will become more interested in marketing off the pitch than success on it.
Alan Reynolds now has the challenge of bringing Bohemians back into contention
The ex-Waterford and Shamrock Rovers midfielder joined last year under tough conditions, but having a pre-season to his name, he can now start again. The squad now looks much more potent, supplemented by the addition of players such as Colm Whelan, once rated as one of the league’s hottest young talents after a catastrophic cruciate ligament injury cut his career short while playing for Derry City.
Connor Parsons adds pace and vision in attack, and ex-Premier League striker Lys Mousset is a possible massive coup if he gets back to his best. Other new faces, including Niall Morahan, John Mountney, and Kian Best, will provide depth, while Gary Deegan signing to oversee academy development could be the answer to narrowing the gap between youth talent and first team. Holding on to players like James Talbot, Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney, and Ross Tierney also boosts Bohs’ chances for the season.
Much as they have improved, Bohs remain outcasts in the title run, and most people wonder whether Reynolds can make the transition from coaching prowess to managerial excellence. A good beginning is crucial, and they might try to take advantage of the fact that Rovers are trying to do both domestic and European duties at the same time. The timing of this encounter—following immediately after Rovers’ two-legged Conference League match against Molde—is potentially in Bohemians’ favor.
Stephen Bradley is resolute, though, in his team’s objectives, aware of the danger Bohs pose in attack third and focusing on securing Rovers playing their football. Injuries to key figures in Jack Byrne, Trevor Clarke, Rory Gaffney, and Darragh Nugent contribute to the woes, but Rovers will seek to depend on experience and depth in navigating this challenge early in the campaign.
While Shelbourne are champions now, Rovers are the yardstick against which the entire rest of the league measures. Bohemians’ decision to bring this game to Aviva Stadium is something more than trying to fill the stands—it’s a statement that they’re willing to move back up into the top of the league. If they’re able to achieve that dream on the pitch remains the question for next season.
