“Winning is a good habit”

Bohemians manager Keith Long by Simon Alcock

BOHEMIANS v DERRY CITY
SSE Airtricity League, Dalymount Park, Friday 24 July,7.45pm

In their second successive home game Bohemians are aiming to confirm the form shown last week. A ten-man win over Sligo Rovers, with a clean sheet, was a welcome response to losses against other teams below Bohemians in the league table.

Manager Keith Long was very pleased with the grit his team showed as they weathered a Sligo storm in the latter part of the game.

“Winning is a good habit and, equally so, losing can become a bad habit. So, it was important that we didn’t let the rot set in last week. It was a good three points, and we hope we can back it up against Derry,” said Long.

“The players really dug in and put their bodies on the line. It was our first clean sheet in seven competitive games and a return to the defensive performances that served us so well earlier in the season.” (Bohemians started the season with eight clean sheets in eight competitive games.)

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In a strong team display last Friday Roberto Lopes put in yet another exemplary performance. Just turned 23 last month, he has had leadership responsibilities thrust upon him through captain Derek Pender’s absence.

“At the start of the year I named him vice-captain because he epitomises everything that is good about Bohemian Football Club. He’s come up through the under-19s, he’s honest, he works really hard, and is an example to everyone,” said Long.

“He goes about his business in a quiet manner, he doesn’t look for plaudits. He’s a big influence in the dressing-room, maybe more in actions than in words.”

Lopes may have to play a more defensive role again on Friday, as Bohemians plan without Anto Murphy, who serves an automatic suspension for his red card last week. Fellow-defender Lorcan Fitzgerald returns from suspension but is rated a “50/50 chance” to start, with a hamstring injury.

With defenders Pender and Dan Byrne on the long-term injury list, Bohemians are especially pleased to welcome back Eoin Wearen, a midfielder who can also cover in defence.

Wearen transferred to the north-west with former Sligo manager Owen Heary but has not featured in Rovers’ most recent games. He returns to his native area of Dublin and, if the paperwork can be completed in time, could be pressed into action on Friday.

“He’s a very welcome addition, and we hope we can the best out of him. He’s got a lot of quality and he’s a good fit for Bohemians,” said Long.

Marc Griffin’s cruciate injury and Dean Kelly’s departure leave Bohemians short in the striker department but manager Long, working with a very modest player budget, continues to look for possible signings in the remaining week of the transfer window.

Website by Simon Alcock