For the second time in a week, Bohemians make the trip up to the Wee County to face Drogheda United at Weaver’s Park in their final encounter of the season (kick-off at 7:45 p.m.)

The two sides battled it out in Drogheda last week in the FAI Cup quarter-finals, which saw Bohemians progress after a nail-biting 3-1 victory over their Premier Division counterparts.

This game will end the season’s series between the two sides, with Bohemians hoping to complete a clean sweep after beating Drogheda by two goals in each of their league encounters this year.

Drogheda United have had a tough time besting the Gypsies this season but it hasn’t been for the want of trying. 

Like many teams this season, the Boynesiders have given the best teams in the league more than a scare and, even in their losses against the men from Phibsborough, have been competitive until the very end.

Although the score of the two sides’ most recent encounter looks like a comfortable win for Bohemians, it took a moment of brilliance from James Clarke and a late penalty from Jonathan Afolabi to separate the two sides.

Granted, Drogheda did look to be missing that cutting edge in attack and similar to their 4-2 loss against Declan Devine’s men in their last league match could only manage to score from a set play.

This is highlighted further by the fact that Freddie Draper remains the Drogheda’s top scorer this season – even though he returned to his parent club, Lincoln, at the end of June.

With Kevin Doherty’s men sitting two points clear of Sligo Rovers and eight clear of Cork City in eighth and ninth respectively, the Louth side have built up a comfortable buffer between themselves and a potential relegation play-off.

For Drogheda fans, a positive result would strengthen their belief that their team will avoid a dreaded play-off and will hope that they can prevent a clean sweep by the Gypsies this season.

Bohemians on the other hand will feel that all of their remaining game are must-win as the North Dublin side hold onto their European ambitions.

The team from Dalymount Park currently sit three points back from St. Patrick's Athletic who are a place above them in third, and their record against Drogheda this season will give them the confidence that they can replicate their result from the cup this evening.

Last week’s hard-fought game was effectively decided by two moments of quality from Bohemians’ blossoming young players, James Clarke and Jonathan Afolabi.

After a clearance from the Drogheda defence, Clarke controlled the ball just inside the opposition half before slaloming his way towards the Drogheda penalty area. A perfectly weighted pass towards in-form striker Afolabi, who delicately curled the ball into the bottom corner.

Speaking ahead of the repeat fixture, Declan Devine praised his team’s character after reacting to Drogheda’s equaliser last Friday as well as how they need to perform in their remaining fixtures in order to clinch one of those illustrious European places.

“Over the course of the season, we have scored a lot of late goals,” said Devine, “and the fact that when we went back to 1-1, and that the players did not panic and did not worry is a sign of the team maturing.

“There was a calmness about us in terms of going and getting the next goal. Getting the goal reasonably quickly after Drogheda scored gave us confidence too.

“We still have a couple of gears that we can go up. We have to make sure now that we are relentless in our pursuit of points, wanting more and driving on between now and the end of the season.”

In team news, Drogheda duo Darragh Noone (illness) and Aaron McNally (knee) are doubts for the upcoming game while Paddy Kirk (ankle) and Bart Kukulowicz (knee) could miss out for the Gypsies.

It's another week packed full of drama on and off the pitch as an explosive interview on the Vera Pauw era with Irish international Diane Caldwell blows up across the country, Sligo pull off a cup shock with a Boh's sized scalp to set up a Semi Final date with Athlone Town while Ireland prepare for 37,000 people to watch their clash with Northern Ireland on Saturday afternoon.

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Emma Hansberry made history for Sligo Rovers as her strike in the 77th minute booked the Western side a ticket to the FAI Women’s Cup Semi-Finals for the first time in the club's history.

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In a repeat of last year’s quarter final, Bohemians and Sligo Rovers meet once again to determine who will advance to the semi-final stage of the FAI Women’s Cup.

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Jonathan Afolabi’s second-half brace was enough for Bohemians to secure a tense 3-1 victory against Drogheda United at Weaver’s Park this evening, sending Declan Devine's men into the semi-final of the FAI Cup.

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