Bohemians v Derry City: Match Preview (May 2025)

 Bohemian FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 18, Dalymount Park, Friday 30^th May 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Coming off the back of a heartbreaking late defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers last week, Derry City look to get back to winning ways as they travel to face Bohemians on Friday night. Level on points, both sides will be looking to take three points into the summer break. With the season now at its midway point, and with the next game not until the 13^th of June, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping to take a positive result into the second half of his first campaign as Derry City boss.

Derry City:

Five points behind Shamrock Rovers going into last Friday’s crunch tie, a win for City would have cemented their status as real title contenders. I said ahead of that game that we’d need one of the best performances of the season to get something out of the match but, despite the performance, it wasn’t to be.

With a packed Brandywell behind them, Derry City started the better side and fashioned the best of the chances throughout the majority of the first forty-five. With the yellow card count reading ‘three’ after just fifteen minutes, Stephen Bradley hooked Cory O’Sullivan for upcoming Ireland international Josh Honohan. O’Sullivan was lucky to stay on the pitch after committing a second foul just minutes after receiving his first yellow, and it was a risk that Rovers weren’t willing to take.

The away side began to grow into the game in the second half, after Graham Burke fashioned a chance for himself towards the end of the first period. Burke was Rovers’ biggest threat during the game, threatening the City goal from distance on multiple occasions. For the Candystripes, Scottish duo Paul McMullan and Danny Mullen were introduced on the hour mark. For the second week in a row, City found a goal from the bench – this time coming just five minutes after Lynch brought on the two aforementioned attackers.

Breaking forward down the middle, Paul McMullan played an inch-perfect through ball to Danny Mullen who was rushing towards the box. After taking a touch which seemed heavy, the striker showed composure to lift it over Ed McGinty in the Rovers goal and send the home fans wild. A well-worked and clinical goal from the Candystripes to open the scoring.

City’s lead didn’t last for long. Shamrock Rovers, flexing their muscles by bringing on Michael Noonan, Daniel Mandriou and Dylan Watts from the bench, found an equaliser on the seventieth minute. A snap-shot from Roberto Lopes caught out Brian Maher, who got a palm to the ball but directed it back into his box where Noonan was on hand to nod in his third goal in as many games. It was a poor goal to concede, but the failure to give a foul for a tackle which left Danny Mullen writhing in pain in the build-up played into the hands of Rovers. It was a refereeing decision which cost the Candystripes.

Just as it looked like the game would end in a draw, which would have been a fair result, Rovers nipped the winner at the end. Danny Grant beat Ben Doherty down the flank and slid the ball into Aaron McEneff. The Derry-man fired past Brian Maher to send the three points back down to Tallaght. The 29 year old former City captain wheeled away in celebration, cupping his ears to his native home fans. It was a celebration which resulted in a booking and left a sour taste to the end of the game. Three points for Rovers, who go eight points clear of Derry at the summit.

The game on Friday was one of those that was just hard to take. If we were played off the pitch and outclassed, which can happen against Rovers, you’d be able to hold your hands up and concede that they’re the better team. That wasn’t the case this time. City went toe-to-toe with the Tallaght side and were more than unlucky to leave emptyhanded.

The defending was solid and the passing was intricate. Going into half-time with the better of the chances in the first half, Danny Mullen’s opener was a deserved goal for the home side. Brian Maher was caught off guard for the equaliser and, if he had an extra split second to react, he would probably have tipped it over the bar. The foul on Mullen directly before the shot which led to the opener should have been given. In a match with 21 fouls and six yellow cards, I was shocked to see that Danny Mullen getting taken out from behind didn’t warrant at least a free kick. On another night, that would’ve been a yellow and a free out.

As sickening as the winner was, the fact that so many stayed behind to applaud the defeated City side showed how good the performance was. It was a performance which showed that we deserve to be fighting at the top, and shows just how far we’ve come under Tiernan Lynch. With Conor Barr and Duncan Idehen returning from loans in July, and the transfer window opening soon, the second half of the campaign should be one of success for the Candystripes.

Danny Mullen’s goal was his fifth of the campaign, seeing him sit just one behind Michael Duffy in the scoring charts for City. Mullen’s late winner against Bohemians in June of last year sent the travelling support delirious, as did Michael Duffy’s FAI Cup semi-final brace. City’s number seven netted yet another free kick against Bohs in the 1-0 win earlier this season. They are two players who Reynolds’ side will be going all out to keep quiet on Friday.

Adam O’Reilly had yet another brilliant performance in the midfield, as did Carl Winchester. Hayden Cann played some impressive balls forward, whilst Mark Connolly and Kevin Holt showed their experience alongside Sam Todd. Shane Ferguson gave width with attacking runs forward, although the lack of a naturally right footed full-back to deputise for the injured Ronan Boyce and Cameron Dummigan seem to be hurting the side’s balance.

Paul McMullan impressed off the bench once again and will be pushing for a starting place after assisting Mullen’s goal for City. Gavin Whyte showed his class with some nice touches and turns, while Michael Duffy was unfortunate not to test the keeper more after a few decent opportunities. He loves playing in Dalymount and will be gunning for his seventh of the season in Phibsborough on Friday. With Ben Doherty returning from injury to provide that extra bit of attacking flair from wing-back, I’d expect another high energy, attacking performance from the Candystripes on Friday. City will be sure to use the hurt of the Rovers defeat to push for three points in Dalymount.

Bohemians:

After a stop-start 2024 campaign, Bohemians finished the season in 8^th place. A disappointing finish, the Phibsborough side evaded the relegation zone by eight points and had high expectations of a rebuild going into the new year. Said new year didn’t bring the joy expected, as Bohs flirted with the relegation zone after losing five of their first eight, despite beating rivals Shamrock Rovers in front of a record crowd in the Aviva Stadium in matchday one.

The Bohemians hierarchy ignored calls to sack manager Alan Reynolds, who was trusted to get things moving again. To be fair to him, he silenced the critics and did just that. Bohs have won six of their last eight league games, coming from behind to defeat Shamrock Rovers again as well as getting the better of fellow Dublin rivals St. Pat’s and Shelbourne. Suddenly, the ‘more shirts than points’ gimmick ended for another year. Have to say though, those Guinness jerseys are top class. The Fontaines DC ones though? As José Mourinho would say, ‘if I speak I’m in trouble’.

In typical Bohemians fashion, the winners in five of those six victories were scored after the 85^th minute. There were back to back 97^th minute winners against Pats and Galway United, a 96^th minute winner away to Shamrock Rovers and 85^th and 88^th minute goals against Cork City and Sligo Rovers. If there’s one thing you can’t do against Reynolds’ side these days, it’s think that you’ve seen out a win.

Down to fourth after defeat to Drogheda United last week, Bohs sit level on points with Derry City going into Friday night. With the ever-entertaining record of no draws, nine wins and eight losses, they’re well within the European mix. Beating some of the heavy hitters and favourites for the title already this year, Reynolds will have his faithful dreaming of a title charge in 2025.

After winning only four times at home in the entirety of last season, Bohemians have already surpassed that tally this year with five. That is only the sixth best home record in the division though. The only side who haven’t drawn a game this year, you really never know what you’ll get from this team. With both St Pat’s and Shelbourne only a point behind City and Bohs, a draw in Dalymount wouldn’t do either side much good.

Former Derry City forward Colm Whelan, who joined Bohs from the Candystripes after last year’s Cup final defeat, is their best performing player in the forward line in 2025. With four goals and an assist, his five goal involvements are better than any of his teammates. Joined on four league goals this year is former Motherwell midfielder Ross Tierney, he’s always one to put a shift and can play across the midfield. Defender Sean Grehan, who chose Bohs over Derry City to join on-loan from Crystal Palace, has bagged three this term – including a brace against Galway United and the winner against St. Pat’s. Two of the 21 year old’s three goals have come in the 97^th minute, so you should close your eyes if he goes up for a corner late on.

Star signing Lys Mousset, formerly a £10m Sheffield United striker, scored his first goal for the club when he found a late winner away to Sligo Rovers three weeks ago. He’s still struggling for full match fitness, but his quality and first touch can’t be underestimated – there’s a reason he cost £15m in transfer fees throughout his career. The signature of Sligo Rovers captain Niall Morahan was another smart acquisition, bolstering an already strong midfield which includes Dawson Devoy, James Clarke, James McManus, Jordan Flores and Adam McDonnell.

Dayle Rooney is one of the league’s most dangerous wingers and has scored some wondergoals in his time. On the other wing, Bohs have former Waterford Connor Parsons, whilst James Clarke can play on either flank as well as in attacking midfield. A defence mixing youth with experience is stationed in front of James Talbot or Kacper Chorazka in goals.

With something of a feelgood factor returning to Dalymount Park in recent weeks, the Bohemians faithful will fancy themselves against any team. Despite losing to Derry City earlier in the campaign, the Phibsboro side are a different outfit now. Playing on the large Dalymount surface, a pitch which will suit both teams in their offensive forays, expect an entertaining affair with an atmosphere bouncing at either side of the stadium. Bohemians will be looking to keep archnemesis Michael Duffy off free-kicks, whilst the Candystripes travel to ‘the old’ Dalymount Park for one of the last times before its renovation.

Round-up:

Both Bohemians and Derry City will be gunning for three points on Friday after losses last time out. Still fighting in the upper reaches of the table, both managers will see a win as crucial going into the mid-season break. The Candystripes will be out for their seventh win in the last ten visits to Bohemians, whilst Reynolds’ men will want to enact revenge for defeat earlier this year and in last season’s FAI Cup semi-final.

With late goals adding to the scripts of both side’s fortunes in recent weeks, expect drama, a big atmosphere and exciting football in Dalymount Park on Friday night. With a two week break after this one, bringing the three points home will be the aim of the game for both Bohs and the Candystripes. We might even be lucky enough to see City wearing the green away kit for only the second time this season too…

Pól O’Hare – 27^th May 2025