“WE CAN MIX IT WITH THE BEST”

bohsvpats

BOHEMIANS v CORK CITY
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Dalymount Park, Friday 25th July, 8pm

Bohemians boss Owen Heary is hoping his side can continue their good form following an unwanted two-week break from competitive action. With last week’s trip to Sligo postponed following the Bit O’Red’s European travels, it’s been a fortnight since the Gypsies’ excellent performance in the 1-1 draw at home to champions St Pat’s, writes KEVIN FAGAN.

Heary puts the good run of form (undefeated in five) down to a mixture of hard work and having a settled team. “It’s down a settled team alright, but its also down to the fact that everyone is working hard in training. You can see their fitness level is good, they’re starting to get into a bit of a rhythm now as well. It’s down to the players – they’re the ones working hard in training and off the pitch.”

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Heary hopes the players can keep that intensity for the visit of title-chasing Cork City, who arrive in a wonderful vein of form under John Caulfield. Unfortunately, the spectre of no home wins is still lurking over the Phibsborough side. “It’s unfortunate that we haven’t got that little bit of luck at home – lots of people who watched the Pat’s game said we deserved to win, you think about the penalty against Athlone, one or two sendings off, we’ve been unlucky. But at least we’ve been picking up some points as well as getting good results away from home, and hopefully we can rectify that home form this week.”

Cork City have been a revelation in the league this season (joint top with Dundalk going into Friday’s game), but Heary isn’t surprised by the Leesiders’ fortunes. “They’re like the Cork teams of old – they’re strong, physical, they can mix it if they want. But they’ve also got some very good young players. The squad they’ve put together is excellent, I said it at the start of the season and they’ve proved it”.

Bohs were excellent on a wet night in Turners Cross in April, and Heary is looking to take the positives from that 1-1 draw into tomorrow’s fixture. “We should’ve won that game, we had three or four great chances to win it in the second half. We matched them all over the pitch, and going down to Cork and playing like that means that it shows – mentality wise – that we can go and give the bigger teams a game.”

Heary was disappointed not to be able continue on from the Pat’s game, but hopes his side can keep up the good work against Cork City this Friday. “I would have liked to have played the game (against Sligo), it would have been a good time to get them after playing in Europe,” he added. “Unfortunately it means we’ll have to play them on a Monday or a Tuesday, which will be difficult. Sligo are a full-time team, so it’s tough on our lads who have to take time off work. But we know we can mix it with the teams ahead of us, so hopefully we can push on, get a few more wins, and get a top-half finish.”

Heary may have to plan without midfielder Craig Walsh, who is doubtful after a bout of tonsillitis during the week, while former Ballymena United goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan has been brought in to provide competition for Dean Delany for the No 1 jersey.

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