EVERYBODY’S PUT THEMSELVES IN CONTENTION

Marc_Griffin

BOHEMIANS v GALWAY UNITED
SSE Airtricity League, Dalymount Park, Friday 13 March, k-o 7.45pm

Bohemians welcome Galway United as their first visitors in the league campaign and manager Keith Long is “under no illusions” his team faces a “big test”.

But with a 3-0 away win last weekend in Limerick followed by a 3-0 home win over Athlone Town in the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday, Bohemians go into this game with confidence.

The manager saluted the performance of his team in a potentially tricky tie at Limerick, getting an early goal and not “taking our foot off the pedal”. He expects to give most of that line-up a chance to prove themselves again.

He was at least as pleased with the clean sheet as with the goals scored. “Goals win games but clean sheets are the foundation of everything that we do,” he said. “To come away with three points is a good start, but it’s no more than that. We won’t be getting too carried away.”

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Following Tuesday’s showing by an almost-entirely changed team, he has the “problem that I want” of many alternative selections. “We made nine changes to the game and the boys did very well. That’s what we want, competition for every place, and everybody putting themselves into contention.”

Long expects Galway to fight hard for their first league points, after forfeiting an early lead last week against Derry City. “I’m sure they’ll be disappointed not to have picked up some points against Derry. They’ll be coming to Dalymount expecting to get a result.

“Tommy [Dunne] did very well to bring Galway up in his first season in charge, and he knows what it takes to be competitive in the Premier Division. I am under no illusions they will present a big test for us.”

Long says Bohemians’ weak home form in recent seasons has not been an issue within his squad. “We want to put in a good, positive performance in front of our supporters, get our season started in Dalymount on the right note, and hopefully send the supporters home happy with three points.”

Bohemian have all carried-over suspensions served, and only Dan Byrne and Dave Mulcahy are out through injury. Mulcahy (calf) will return to team training later this month and Byrne (cruciate) is building his fitness towards contact training in the coming weeks.

President Michael D. Higgins will attend Friday’s match, seeing Galway in action again after returning to his home-town last weekend. A strong supporter of the League of Ireland, President Higgins will be present at Dalymount Park also to mark Bohemians’ 125th anniversary year.

Among those meeting the poet-President will be Lewis Kenny, Bohemians’ newly appointed Poet in Residence.

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