This week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast was something of a Drogheda United reunion as former team-mates Graham Gartland and Ollie Cahill shared the stage.
But it was also a teaming-up of two players who experienced both sides of the Dublin derby divide.
Gartland was at Shamrock Rovers in 2012, while Cahill's Hoops spell was a little earlier in 2009-10, before he finished his career at Bohemians in 2011.
Rovers and Bohs do battle on Friday at Tallaght Stadium in what is always a fiercely fought encounter and after reviewing both sides' performances from the last round of fixtures, Gartland and Cahill turned their attention to the upcoming match.
One player who won't feature is Bohemians forward Promise Omochere after his red card in their 1-1 draw at Finn Harps for fouls on Ethan Boyle.
Both Gartland and Cahill regard Omochere's absence as "a big loss" for Keith Long's side, having opened the season with two goals from three games.
"I agree with Ollie that Promise has been excellent, he started the season really well. I saw him last season and thought he was a real handful. His willingness to run beyond people is very good but he's also willing to stand and hold the ball up and be a presence down the middle of the pitch," said Gartland who felt the 21-year-old's sending off was harsh.
Watch Gartland and Cahill review Rovers and Bohs' performances against Pat's and Finn Harps and their Dublin derby preview here:
"I think his sending off for the second yellow card was a terrible decision. He just plants himself, he hasn't put his arm up. How they've given a yellow card for that... I'd actually be embarrassed if I was the centre-back to go down for that.
"I know (Boyle) is being clever and being experienced and gets him sent off."
On the void Omochere leaves for Bohs on Friday, Gartland added: "I think he will be a big loss. I know they've brought in Ryan Cassidy from Watford so it's a big game for him if he comes into play."
Bohs come into the game with a win and two draws and Cahill feels Long will be "happy enough" with that start albeit tempered by Omochere's red card.
Meanwhile champions Shamrock Rovers have won twice at home and lost twice away to the sides - Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic - expected to push them closest for the title.
But Gartland does not think manager Stephen Bradley will be panicking about the Hoops' mixed start to the campaign.
"He's very analytical Stephen and he's always looking for small margins and small edges so I don't think he ever switches off and pushes a defeat away but I don't think he does that with a win as well," he said.
"As long as the performances with Shamrock Rovers are good, they're going to win more games than they lose and we'll see after the first series of games and that's when Rovers will really kick in."
But given Bohs have performed quite well in recent derbies, winning three and drawing one of their five encounters in 2021, Gartland is curious to see how they approach it this time.
"They've a good record against Shamrock Rovers last season so it will be interesting to see how they go and approach the game on Friday," he said.
"But it makes for a great game. It's going to be a fantastic occasion so I'm really looking forward to that."
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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