Bohemians put in one of their best performances of the season in last week’s draw away to league leaders Derry City.

Now they want to follow it up in what is another tough away game away to Dundalk in Oriel Park this evening.

Three points separate the sides tonight with Dundalk in fourth on 22 and Bohs in sixth on 19.

Bohs will take confidence going into the game after impressing on Foyleside last week.

Promise Omochere’s fifth goal of the season gave Bohs the lead on 15 minutes but a shocking decision to award Derry City levelled up the game, and that is how it finished.

It is a measure of Bohs’ performance and the chances that they created that they came away from one of the most difficult grounds in the league to get a result disappointed that they were not travelling home with all three points.

Liam Burt, who set up Omochere’s goal, said: “It felt like two points dropped. We always try to go up there and win.

“To go up there and perform as well as we did. We were disappointed with the penalty decision but we could have gone on to win it – we had the better chances in the last 10/15 minutes so we were disappointed.”

Having missed the opening three games of the season through injury, coming off the bench as a substitute in the next three, Burt has really found his groove since, starting eight games in succession where he has helped himself to three goals and three assists.

He said: “The first few games when I was coming in for 15 minutes of so, I was just finding my feet a bit.

“In the last number of games I have felt a lot more like myself. I am getting back to what I used to be. Hopefully I can continue that.”

He hopes that will be the case this evening when Keith Long’s men face Stephen O’Donnell’s Lilywhites.

Burt added: “We had a really good week of training last week and I think that showed in our performance against Derry.

“The full week leading up to a game gives us a good run of training, analysis and workouts.

“Dundalk are in great form. It will be a tough ask to go up there to get a result but we are going up there positive.

“We have a lot of things going for us. We had a good win last week so we want to continue that.”

TEAM NEWS

Jordan Flores (illness) returns to the squad against his former club having been a late withdrawal last week, while Rory Feely (ankle) is making good progress and could also be in line to return.

Grant Horton (knee) remains a doubt, James Finnerty is out after taking a blow to the head in training, while Stephen Mallon (ankle) remains out.

Bohemians face possibly their toughest test of the season so far when they travel to face league leaders Derry City tonight.

Bohs bounced back from Dublin derby disappointment against Shamrock Rovers with a 3-0 win over the division’s bottom side UCD at Dalymount Park last Friday.

Doherty, who started the season in midfield but has deputised in the heart of defence due to injuries to Grant Horton, James Finnerty and Rory Feely, said: “It was good to get the three points.

“It wasn’t a great performance but it was a good performance and it was important to get a clean sheet.

“I am going to do my best day in and day out and take every opportunity that comes my way.

“It’s going to be a tough game and it is not the easiest place to go to. Derry are a good side. They are sitting on top of the table for a reason.

“But we are focusing on ourselves and working hard in the training ground. We are excited to go up there and hopefully get the win.”

Stephen Mallon, who impressed at the start of the season, is hoping he will get the opportunity against his former club having missed recent weeks with an ankle injury.

The Belfast man said: “It has been a frustrating time the last few weeks. but I am back now in training and looking forward to the challenge in Derry.

“I watched a lot from the stand last year so I have that hunger and desire to get back on the pitch.

“We want to build momentum, we want to build on our performance against UCD and put a run together.

“I enjoyed my time with Derry City but I’ll be doing everything I can to beat them.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohs are likely to be without James Finnerty (knee), Grant Horton (knee) and Rory Feely (ankle) but are hopeful that Stephen Mallon (ankle) will return.

Keith Long wants a quick response from his side when they host UCD at Dalymount Park tonight as Bohemians look to move up a congested league table.

They face the league’s bottom side, but a team they struggled to break down the last time they met six weeks ago when the spoils were shared after a 1-1 draw in Belfield.

Bohs come into the game licking their wounds after a 3-1 defeat to champions Shamrock Rovers last week at the same venue.

Bohs found themselves 2-0 down at the break after a disappointing first-half showing, but battled hard to get back into the game when Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe scored on 69 minutes only for Rovers to reinstate their two-goal advantage a minute later.

Long said: “It is important that we react in the right manner after last week’s defeat to Rovers and to try and bounce back quickly tonight against UCD.

“We know we are a little bit short of where we would like to be at this point in the season but we also know things can change quickly.

“We also know that you don’t get anything for free in this league and you have to earn every point that you get.

“UCD are always dangerous opponents and caused us massive problems in our last game in the UCD Bowl.

“They have good young players and can hurt you if your performance levels are not right.

“From our perspective, we know we have to perform better and perform consistently better. The players are working extremely hard in training and in the analysis room to improve performances.

“To their credit, the lads have always accepted responsibility and are determined to put things right.

“We need to remain positive, our season is very much alive and I believe we can put a good run together and climb the table.”

With another big Bohs crowd expected in both the Jodi Stand and Des Kelly Stand tonight, Long is hoping the home support can give his side a big lift.

He added: “The support last week in difficult circumstances was terrific. Tonight is another Dublin Derby, there are three points on offer as there was last week.

“These are the games that our season will be defined on and in that respect your support is vital for the players.

“I absolutely accept we have a responsibility to get you on the edge of your seat watching the team play and at times this year that has been difficult.

“We need your support, it genuinely can be the difference. Hopefully we can repay the faith you have shown in the team with a strong performance and committed team display.”

TEAM NEWS

Rory Feely (ankle) and James Finnerty (knee) are out while Stephen Mallon (ankle), Conor Levingstson (hamstring) and Grant Horton (knee) are doubts.

SSE Airtricity League
Friday April 22 2022
Dalymount Park, 745pm

Bohemians manager Keith Long has challenged his side to perform to their optimum in the Dublin Derby tonight and to retain courage and belief against their rivals.

Bohs put aside their frustration of conceding late goals in three of their previous four games to beat Shelbourne with a convincing 4-1 win at Tolka Park on Easter Monday.

But they face a far greater challenge when champions Shamrock Rovers come to Dalymount Park tonight.

Second-placed Rovers reduced the gap on league leaders from six points to one over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Bohs are currently in sixth but looking for results to go their way to move up the table with third spot within touching distance, just two points away.

Long said: “It has been a challenging time on the field of play for us but it was pleasing to bounce back from the disappointment of last Friday against Finn Harps with a good team performance on Monday against Shelbourne.

“Shelbourne are difficult opponents and to come away from Tolka Park with an emphatic win was great testament to the players.

“It was not a perfect performance but nonetheless the players reacted in a positive fashion scoring some good goals which we hope will give us confidence ahead going into tonight’s game.”

Not a whole lot separated Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers when they met at Tallaght Stadium last month.

But as Bohs struggled to created chances, Rory Gaffney’s first-half goal was enough to win it for Rovers.

And now Long is looking to bring that attacking threat and determination seen at Tolka Park on Monday into this evening’s game.

He said: “Our focus and efforts had to shift quickly to playing Shamrock Rovers as we know this represents a massive challenge against the current league champions.

“Rovers are in great form and have quality players and a depth of squad unrivalled in this league.

“We will have to perform at our optimum tonight and that’s a fantastic challenge for us.

“It’s essential we show great courage to retain belief.”

TEAM NEWS

James Finnerty (knee) is making progress but still a number of weeks away from full fitness, while Stephen Mallon (ankle) is likely to sit this one out too.

Meanwhile, loanee JJ McKiernan has returned to Watford, with Long adding: “JJ was frustrated with lack of game-time. We would like to thank JJ for his efforts during his short time at the club and wish him every success for the future.”

SHELBOURNE v BOHEMIANS
SSE Airtricity League
Monday April 18 2022
Tolka Park, 3pm

Keith Long wants Bohemians to turn frustration into motivation when they make the short trip to Tolka Park this afternoon.

In three of their last four games, Bohs have conceded late goals to lose points.

The good news is that they remain just three points off third, but conceding those three late goals in their last four games have cost them five points.

That has frustrated Long and his players, but they are happy that a quick turnaround gives them an opportunity to bounce back quickly today.

Against Finn Harps on Friday night, Bohs conceded in the 93rd minute for a 2-2 draw having bossed the game for the majority of the second half with plenty of chances to put the game beyond doubt.

Long said: “We have been incredibly frustrated at the manner of dropping valuable points late in games.

“Friday wasn’t a defeat but it felt like one and we got punished for not being ruthless enough in front of goal and conceding a late equaliser, which was preventable.

“Draws are of no real benefit to anyone. We want wins and we need to start turning draws into victories.

“Playing so soon after Friday is a good opportunity to try and bounce back.”

This afternoon they face a side who are buoyed by the fact they were the first team to inflict a defeat on league leaders Derry City this season.

Long said: “It’s a Dublin derby and a sellout where we will have a large travelling support behind us once more.

“We are looking forward to the challenge, Shelbourne are a young, hungry, energetic and well-organised team and will be confident after their win up in Derry.”

TEAM NEWS

James Finnerty (knee) remains out while Grant Horton (knee) remains a doubt.