SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Friday September 29 2023, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Tickets: tickets.bohemians.ie

Declan Devine feels Bohemians have left points behind them in recent weeks and says they need to show more of a cutting edge in front of goal.

Bohs host Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park tomorrow on the back of a 1-1 draw against Shelbourne at the same venue on Monday, having been held to a 0-0 stalemate away to Drogheda United last Friday.

Against Shels, Devine admits that his side put in a below-par performance in the first half, but were then left frustrated that large spells of dominance in the second half did not force a winner.

Devine said: “I was really disappointed at half-time, and I think the players were disappointed with themselves too.

“We started the first couple of minutes quite well, but our intensity just wasn’t at it. We can’t afford that, particularly at this stage of the season.

“We improved considerably in the second half. We had a lot of positive approach play, if you look at our stats in terms of shots and chances that we created, but we have got to be more ruthless.

“We’ve left points behind in our last two games because we have not been ruthless enough in front of goal during periods of dominance. We need to show a real cutting edge to put the ball in the back of the net when chances come our way.”

Bohs’ second-half resurgence was part-inspired by skipper Keith Buckley’s move back to midfield.

Devine said: “We signed Bucko as a midfield player and that is where I foresee him playing in the future. But with injuries, players leaving, and players coming in mid-season and trying to find their feet, we have played him at right-back, and he has done really well there.

“I was impressed with Bart Kukulowicz in the last couple of games, in the Leinster Senior Cup and when he came on against Shelbourne, so he is settling in now. Certainly at the business end of the season, you want your captain in midfield.

“I see Keith Buckley as an outstanding midfield player, and hopefully we can get him in there between now and the end of the year.”

Devine was also happy to see a star performance once more from Ali Coote, who netted Bohs’ equaliser in the 74th minute.

The Scotsman’s early-season form saw him named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for March but his influence in recent months has been disrupted by injury and the form of others.

Devine said: “Ali was outstanding in the second half on Monday. There are players who haven’t started games recently who are really pushing hard, and that’s what you want at this stage of the season.

“I’m delighted for Ali because his season has been disrupted by injury and niggles, ones that he has found hard to shake off. But we saw his quality again on Monday.

“As a group we know that if we are to achieve what we want to between now and the end of the season we will need our big players to play big parts. We have to have the mentality to do that.”

Devine is expecting another tough game against Sligo, a team who Bohs have beaten twice this season but lost to in the last meeting between the sides.

He added: “We are expecting another difficult ding-dong of a battle. I’ve watched Sligo’s wins against UCD and Derry City, and they were very good. They deserved to beat Derry but we have to concentrate on ourselves. We are at the business end of the season and we have to be at our very, very best in every game.

“We have to target wins in every game between now and the end of the season. There have been surprising results here, there and everywhere, even in recent weeks, so we have to take care of our own business.

“We have worked hard to put ourselves in a strong position. We cannot have any regrets at the end of this series of games.

“A lot of our performances have been good, but the requirement is to keep going for 95 minutes or however long we have on the pitch. We can’t leave anything behind.

“We have created a lot of chances in the last few weeks but we have to be ruthless in both boxes from start to finish. We know what we are capable of but we have to go out and show our quality.”

TEAM NEWS

Adam McDonnell (suspended) is Bohs’ only absentee.

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Monday September 25 2023, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Tickets: tickets.bohemians.ie

Declan Devine says Bohemians must grasp every opportunity presented to them between now and the end of the season, and make their pace and power count when they host Shelbourne at Dalymount Park tomorrow.

Bohs were left frustrated on Friday night when they could not find a way past Drogheda United. They were held to a 0-0 draw in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division at Weavers Park having won 3-1 in the Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup at the same venue a week previously.

Devine says his side’s performance did not reach the heights of the display in the cup, and has challenged them to move up the gears against Shels at Dalymount.

Devine said: “It was always going to be a difficult game. We won four out of the four previous games against them this season but none of those were easy games.

“We prepared well for the game and had two or three really good opportunities, and their goalkeeper came away with man of the match, which tells its own story.

“We had opportunities to win the game and, bar one great opportunity they had, we were the dominant team. But having watched the game back, I think we had another couple of gears in us. We didn’t hit the heights we did up there the week before.

“You only have to look at the results over the past couple of weeks to see the nature of this league. For us, Friday could end up being a valuable point. It was really important we didn’t lose the game but we wanted to win it.”

Shels’ win against Cork City on Friday saw them overtake Bohs and move up to fourth in what is a congested top half of the table.

Devine said: “We are still in a position where we have four home games to go, two away, and are challenging for those European places.

“Monday is a big game, there is no doubt about it. It’s been a calendar month since we last played a league game in Dalymount. We have had Rockmount and Usher Celtic in the cups in the meantime, but the players are all really looking forward to having a league game at home.

“There’s very little between a lot of the teams pushing hard for Europe. We have to make sure we go and perform. The players have trained the last two days and are feeling fresh.

“It’s a big game, a derby with a lot riding on it. It’s a game every player wants to be involved in. At home with the big spaces we have in Dalymount and with the pace and power we have in this team, it suits us.

“We want to grasp every opportunity that is presented to us between now and the end of the season. We have two home games this week and we want to target two wins but we know we have to be at our absolute best to do that.

“Shels have strengthened with the additions they brought in during the summer but we are in a good place too with the players that are now back available to us. Everybody is back fit – Dean Williams got another game under his belt with the U19s against Rovers in Tallaght today.

“With three games in a week, we have got to use our squad and use our subs. We are able to make changes in games without weakening the team because we have a lot of talented boys available.

“I couldn’t be happier with the effort the players are giving us. It is our first year together, we are in the semi-final of the cup, and we are pushing hard in the league for a European place.

“But these are the games now in the business end of the season where we really have to be competitive, and showcase the style of play and qualities that we have – our pace, our power. I think we can be a real handful for anyone, especially at Dalymount Park with the crowd right behind us. It is up to us now to embrace that, give everything of ourselves to get maximum points.”

Despite a congested fixture list in recent weeks, Devine comes into this game with a full squad to choose from.

Dean Williams has benefited from run-outs in the Leinster Senior Cup final and for the U19s, while Paddy Kirk has overcome the ankle injury that saw him sit out the previous two games.

Devine also hopes to see more from the likes of James Akintunde – a key performer in Bohs’ blistering start to the season but who has endured a frustrating few months since.

Devine said: “Having worked with James for a number of seasons at Derry previous to bringing him here, I can say he has had a really unfortunate year with injuries. Not only has he picked up one or two injuries, he’s actually had three or four throughout the course of the year.

“He is a guy who gives everything of himself, and is otherwise in fantastic condition. But he has a stop-start season with the injuries he has picked up. I think over the coming weeks we will see the James we saw at the start of the season when he was really tearing it up.

“He is a fantastic player to have, and he is working incredibly hard in training. We will definitely see the best of him again.

“The same goes for other players. The likes of Dean Williams who was out for several months is coming back to fitness now at the right time, likewise Luke Dennison, so we have players who have missed out at various stages of the season back and who are now chomping at the bit to be involved.

“We had Ali Coote back in the team on Friday and he did really well. Kris Twardek, Declan McDaid and John O’Sullivan are pushing hard too. John has come on in recent games and has had positive impacts, and Paddy is back fit this week too.

“So it’s the business end of the season, injuries have cleared up, and everyone is gunning to have a really big push between now and the end of the year.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians have a full squad to choose from, with Paddy Kirk having recovered from an ankle injury.

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Friday September 22 2023, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
Tickets still available online on general sale

Declan Devine says Bohemians must knuckle down and refocus if they are to deliver a repeat victory away to Drogheda United tomorrow evening.

Bohs came out on the right side of last week’s Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup quarter-final at Weavers Park and tomorrow face Drogs at the same venue in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

A goal from Krystian Nowak and a brace from Johnny Afolabi delivered a 3-1 win and the perfect present for Devine’s 50th birthday last Friday, but Devine had little time to celebrate as focus immediately turned to this week’s rematch.

Devine said: “I was happy last week with our performance but I wasn’t ecstatic as I thought we had opportunities to put the game to bed earlier than we did. I was also disappointed that we conceded just after half-time even though not in a million years did I think it was a penalty.

“The main purpose of last week was to get into the next round of the cup and that was achieved. We moved the ball in difficult conditions quite well, and created a number of great opportunities. But I am looking for us to be better this week in both boxes.

“We defended well, but felt we could have had the game controlled a wee bit better. There are definitely things we can learn from last week, and things we need to do better. That has to be the aim for us going there again.”

After dominating long periods of the first half, Bohs probably felt they should have had more to show for it than a 1-0 lead at the break, particularly when Ryan Brennan’s penalty levelled the game early in the second half.

But Bohs asserted themselves, and went after the game once more.

Devine said: “Our squad is key. Being able to make changes in the way we did, at the stages that we did, was very important. When we go into this period we are in now in terms of having back-to-back Friday/Monday games, we have to utilise our squad.

“We have to make sure that we have energy and quality coming off the bench at the right times.

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

“It showed experience and that they trusted themselves. They took their setback, sucked it up and they went after the game again, which was a defining moment in the game.

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

“But we had to dig in, we had to defend. We faced a lot of set pieces and defended them really well, which was really pleasing as was getting three goals away from home.”

The challenge now is to do it all again against a side seeking revenge, but Devine knows there can be no let-up as his side, currently in fourth, looks to break into the top three and secure European qualification through the league.

Devine said: “We spoke on Saturday morning then about a refocus and their attitude, honesty and intensity all week has been outstanding.

“Every player and every member of staff knows the importance of the next game. We are at a stage of the season where every point and every three points is critical. We have got to go up to Drogheda again and give an even better performance than what we did last week.

“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.”

Devine also comes into this week’s game with the advantage of being reminded of what some of the club’s upcoming talent, and first-team players in need of game-time, have to offer after a crowd of 3093 at Dalymount Park on Monday night saw an experimental Bohs line-up beat Usher Celtic 5-0 to lift the Leinster Senior Cup.

Devine added: “It was a really positive night for us. When we went out for the warm-up and knew that there was going to be over 3000 there, that was sensational.

“It was invaluable that that bond between the fans and players was there for the younger lads playing in front of such a crowd for the first time.

“It was brilliant for Cian Byrne, who has come right through our academy, to be the captain of a team that lifts a trophy at Dalymount Park, irrelevant of what the tournament is because that doesn’t happen every day of your life.

“That is something he should take enormous pride and joy in. It reminds all our young players in the U19s that he was playing at that level last year, and shows that the pathway is open to them and that if you work hard, things can happen for you at our club.

“And I was delighted for Jake McCormack and Chris Lotefa to experience what it feels like to score in front of such a crowd.

“It was right that a good few of the U19s got to play and had an opportunity to perform in front of such a crowd because the U19s got us there with the performance away to Shelbourne in the semi-final.

“At this stage of the season, we also had to use the game for some players to get minutes. Bart Kukulowicz, Louie Holzman, Cian Byrne, Luke Dennison, Ali Coote – a lot of them needed to play, and they played well. Declan McDaid’s goal was a fantastic goal, and Kris Twardek did really well.

“Overall it was a great night. There is a great appetite from our fans to see us play in Dalymount and that is down to the levels of performances that the players are putting in when they play at Dalymount. We have been good at home this year. Our performance was very professional, scoring early and scoring late.”

 TEAM NEWS

Paddy Kirk (ankle) and Bart Kukulowicz (knee) are doubts while Dean Williams (ankle) made his long-awaited return off the bench on Monday.

Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup quarter-final
Friday September 15 2023, Weavers Park, 7.45pm

Declan Devine has said that Bohemians need to grasp their opportunity and give everything of themselves to progress to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.

Bohs make the short journey up the M1 tomorrow to face Drogheda United at Weavers Park, and will be backed by 650 travelling supporters.

Devine said: “The FAI Cup doesn’t suffer fools, so we have to be bang at it right from the very start. The players have been really looking forward to the game.

“Going to Drogheda is a tough place but we are going there concentrating on ourselves. We know their strengths having played them three times already but we also know our own strengths and we have concentrated on them all week.

“There is a big prize on offer for whoever wins the game, so having had two weeks since our last game, this is one that we have really prepared well for.

“At the start of the year, your goal is to get to the latter stages of the FAI Cup, and it doesn’t matter what the draw is, doing that will always be very difficult.

“Drogheda will fancy their chances and we will fancy our chances, but we have to make sure we perform to the levels we are capable of.

“This tie will be decided on the night, there are no second chances. We have got to make sure we grasp our opportunity, that we don’t have any regrets, and that we take care of our business.”

A fortnight has passed since Bohs’ bruising 3-0 defeat in the league away to rivals Shamrock Rovers. Devine was frustrated with the goals his side coughed up in Tallaght Stadium, but praised their application in their time together since.

He said: “It is never enjoyable when you have two weeks in training after a defeat but the training has been at a really high level and the players have shown a brilliant attitude.

“We were extremely disappointed with the goals that we gave away in Tallaght. We have to be a lot better than that. But what I also take out of it is that there were two stonewall penalties in the game that weren’t given. For me, the referee was right on top of it and I just couldn’t believe they weren’t given.

“In any league and in any game, scoring the first goal can be really important and just before they get their opener, James Clarke is brought down inside the box and it’s as stonewall a penalty as you will see.

“No press came to speak to me after the game, so I never got it off my chest at the time but that’s two penalties again in Tallaght not given, on the back of the previous one in our first game out there. It is unacceptable.

“Regardless of that, we know that we did not perform to the levels needed or that we are capable of. The goals we gave away were poor.

“To be fair to this group, they came back to training right at it and focused. Our levels have been very high, and everybody is chomping at the bit to play.”

In that time there has been recognition for two of Devine’s star men too.

First, Johnny Afolabi earned an Ireland call-up for the Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands on Sunday, and, today, James Clarke was named the SSE Airtricity Player of the Month for August; the third Bohs player to win the award this season after Ali Coote in March and Afolabi in July.

Devine said: “You can see from three of our players winning the Player of the Month Award this year that we have some outstanding players.

“Both Johnny and James deserve the kind of recognition that they have received. The two of them have been good all year but outstanding in recent months. They are two young guys but are playing with such a level of maturity, flare and aggression.

“Physically, they are both strong specimens and they have been impeccable in terms of their goals return and creativity. That is what you want. You want to go into these big games with those kinds of big players – players who can perform and that is what we have at the minute.”

Bohs go in tomorrow’s game with another packed-out away section; all 650 tickets were sold to members within 10 minutes of going on sale last Friday.

Devine added: “We have been the best supported club in the league by a country mile, it’s not even close. The effort our fans bring home and away on a weekly basis is incredible.

“They want us to be successful against Drogheda every bit as much as the players and staff. We all want to get through to the semi-finals.

“That is a massive carrot for everyone at the club. It is hugely important. Every single one of us – players, staff and fans – has to give everything of ourselves as by hook or by crook, we want to be in the next round.

“We have the utmost respect for Drogheda, but we are very determined in where we want this group and our club to be.”

TEAM NEWS

Paddy Kirk (ankle) is a doubt.

Dean Williams (ankle) is unlikely to be risked against Drogheda but is set to feature in Monday’s Leinster Senior Cup final against Usher Celtic.

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Friday September 1 2023, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm
Live on Virgin Media 2

Declan Devine says Bohemians come into tomorrow’s Dublin Derby away to Shamrock Rovers with confidence and self-belief.

Bohs lost the first two games against their rivals this season but battled from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 the last time the sides met, and Devine is aiming to go one better in Tallaght tomorrow.

He said: “There has been very little between the sides in the games we have played so far. In the first game we played against them at home, we were very good in the opening period, the game in Tallaght was decided by a decision that should have gone our way, and it was pleasing that we came from behind in the last game.

“But this is a brand new game. We are coming into it in fantastic form. We come into it with a lot of confidence and self-belief.

“We also know that they have been champions for the past three seasons for a reason. If we want to close that gap, and finish this season strongly, then this is a pivotal game for us.

“We need to match the performances that we have put on of late. We are away from home but we have won away from home in Inchicore and in the Brandywell this season, so we want to get maximum points in Tallaght too.

“We have spoken all week about how we will have to be at our very, very best. The one thing I will give this group of players is that they never give in and they never stop. That is what is going to be required in Tallaght.

“We are going to have to give everything for the duration of the game. I feel that our squad will again be crucial as I think it will be a game where we will have to use 14 or 15 players to participate.

“We are looking forward to the game. It hasn’t been over-hyped and we have prepared in the same way as we have for our last seven or eight games, which thankfully have gone well for us.”

Bohs come into the game unbeaten in eight – six in the league and two in the FAI Cup – which Devine hopes will stand to his side against Rovers, who are chasing their fourth league title in a row, as he looks to send supporters home happy.

He said: “It is pleasing that we have had the experience of the last few weeks of playing two really high level games of St Pat’s in Inchicore and Derry in Dalymount.

“Now we go to Tallaght again in front of the cameras. We have been fortunate that our players have played in front of big crowds all year, so that shouldn’t frighten us. We have also been involved in a lot of TV games this year, so that shouldn’t frighten us either.

“Our fans this year have travelled the length and breadth of Ireland to support and back us. The noise levels that they have generated, and the togetherness that we feel between the squad and the fans, is something that we should continue to try and build.

“It doesn’t matter if we are going to Tallaght or Dalymount, I want the fans to get right behind the team in both good moments and difficult moments, and for that to support to translate onto the pitch. If we continue to do that, the sky’s the limit for this group.”

Devine believes the competition for places within the group has been key to recent form, pointing to the example of James Clarke, who had to bide his time earlier in the season, but has been a star performer in recent weeks, scoring in three of Bohs’ four games this month.

Devine added: “At this moment in time, it is extremely difficult to be in my shoes trying to pick a starting XI. There are players there like James McManus, James Akintunde, Kris Twardek, Declan McDaid, Ali Coote, Bart Kukulowicz – players who probably feel they should be starting. But the competition for places is immense.

“Earlier in the season, for example, James Clarke was coming on and playing roles towards the latter stages of the game. But he is at a peak now where he is absolutely thriving at the minute.

“He is only 22 years of age and is getting better every week. His application to his football is second to none. He is not only a goalscoring threat from midfield, but his passing and penetration have been at the highest level.

“Long may it continue with James as I think we are only scratching the surface with him. He has only been at the club a year and I think over the next year or two, he can really develop into a top level player. The potential that the boy has is incredible.

“Just to see him playing with a smile on his face, and the energy he brings, is a joy. He has physically developed over the last six or seven months. He has got a fantastic understanding, not just with Jonathan Afolabi, but with his fellow midfield players behind him.

“But he has to be on top of his game because we have so many players competing for positions. That is something that is keeping everyone on his toes.

“With James, any time we have asked him to do something or give him a task, he has done it. He has had setbacks this year where he hasn’t been in the team but he never threw the towel in, never moped about, and never huffed and puffed.

“He kept working hard, kept his head down, made impacts coming off the bench, and finally really established himself. That is testament to his mentality, his determination, and to how much he loves playing for Bohs.

“With players like James Clarke, James McManus and Jonathan Afolabi, our age profile is good – there is a lot of growth and development from this young squad to come. And those kinds of players epitomise the potential we have to move the place forward in the coming years.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians have a full squad to choose from.

• Tomorrow’s game is being shown live on Virgin Media 2. The Members Bar at Dalymount Park is open for the game, with all pints €5.