Shamrock Rovers must 'take the madness out of it' against Bohemians
Riding high, 11 points clear at the summit, Shamrock Rovers must avoid the madness of a typical clash against neighbours Bohemians to remain in their stride.
Captain Pico Lopes has operated on both sides of the divide but the bruises of how the Gypsies engineered an Easter resurrection to win 3-2 at Tallaght still hurt.
Both Dublin rivals have embarked on runs to become the form sides in the country but Rovers can all but the prospects of being usurped by their rivals by prevailing at Dalymount Park.
'You have to take the madness out of it at times,' stressed the Cape Verde international about his team, who've collected 25 from a possible 27 points over the last nine games.
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'It's going to be there because it'll be 100 miles an hour at times. So you need to be able to take a breath and put your foot on the ball and show your quality as well.
'Look, you can't control what happens. We were disappointed to lose the game back at Easter but that's behind us.
'I think we have gotten stronger as the league has gotten on. Performances and results have shown that.
'Yet we can't take our foot off the gas. I think if you start getting carried away yourself, that's where you get pegged back. We've been good but need to be better.'
From a Bohs' perspective, a third victory on the spin against the Hoops would narrow the gap to nine points with two games in hand. They lost momentum, but not belief, by losing at Waterford on Friday.
The Blues host a Shelbourne side caretaker managed by Joey O'Brien. Damien Duff's sidekick and other staff take charge after his sudden departure, initially for this trip and another to Galway United on Friday.
'We enjoyed Friday night but once it came around to Saturday morning, we were planning what we're set to encounter with Shelbourne at the RSC,' said Waterford boss John Coleman.
Elsewhere, St Patrick's Athletic host a Derry City side astride from their 1-0 win at Shelbourne on Friday.
The Saints have endured a disappointing season to, equally Shels for being 15 points off the summit, but at least Stephen Kenny won't be complaining about the dimensions of his own pitch as he was after losing 3-1 away to Galway United on Friday.
Cork City's wretched form has sunk them to the foot of the table and they welcome a Drogheda United side that moved back up to outright second by beating Sligo Rovers.
'I think everybody is sick of how the results have been,' confessed Ger Nash, whose arrival last month as manager has yet to ignite an upturn in results for City.
'Everybody wants to change that. I know myself, staff and fans do. The only option is to change it because the other option is not one I want to consider.
'It's tough for everybody but we have to stand tall and stick our chests out. We've spoken about reset but we don't have time. We must dig deep. We must be better to win games.
"That's my job. I pick the team and tactics so the first person I look at is myself and we all must be better.
'There will be new players coming in after July 1 but we have an opportunity on Monday to respond in front of our own fans.'
MONDAY'S LOI FIXTURES (All 7.45pm)
PREMIER DIVISION
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park
Cork City v Drogheda United, Turner's Cross
Sligo Rovers v Galway United, Showgrounds
St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City, Richmond Park
Waterford v Shelbourne, RSC.
FIRST DIVISION
Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds
Cobh Ramblers v Kerry, St Colman's Park
Finn Harps v Dundalk, Finn Park
Longford Town v Cobh Ramblers, Bishopsgate
Treaty United v Wexford, Markets Field.
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