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.

SSE AIRTRICITY WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE
Saturday April 16 2022
Dalymount Park, 6pm

In what has been an exciting week for women’s football in Ireland, Bohemians manager Pat Trehy hopes supporters will get behind his side in Dalymount Park this evening when they host DLR Waves at 6pm.

The Ireland senior international team secured a fantastic 1-1 draw away to Sweden to put them in the contention to reach a play-off for the 2023 World Cup.

That result has added to the buzz and momentum around the direction of women’s football.

Trehy said: “It was a brilliant result against a top, top side.

“It shows that women’s football in this country is heading in the right direction.

“Performances and results give players and teams here something to aspire to.

“They all want to emulate that and we want to emulate that here at Bohs. We want to see our players go and play for their country.”

But before they start targeting international recognition, Bohs’ players will be looking to improve their form domestically, and are hoping for some vocal support at Dalymount this evening behind them.

Trehy said: “We’re looking for support for the girls this evening.

“They’re loving playing in Dalymount with all the young fans behind them this season. It really makes a difference.

“We had a disappointing result down in Cork last time out so it’s important that we try and make the most out of playing at home so we can get back on track and try to build a bit of momentum.

“We went into that Cork game thinking it was a game we could get some points from so we were disappointed with the defeat.”

That game was also cause for some concern as defender Katie Burdis was down injured for several minutes before the end of the first half before being carried off on a stretcher.

Thankfully, though, the injury is not as bad as first feared although she will remain on the sidelines for now.

Trehy said: “It was an impact injury to her knee and thankfully it wasn’t as bad as we thought it might be.

“We hope to have her back as soon as possible as she is an important player for us.”

In Burdis’ absence this evening, her team-mates will have to be at their best against one of the league’s more established set-ups.

Trehy added: “Waves are a good side. They are extremely well organised and in Graham Kelly they have a very experienced manager.

“We are going to have to give it absolutely everything this evening to get a result from the game, so that is why it is so important that we have support behind us from the off.”

• A reminder that members, season ticket holders and U12s can attend home WNL games for free, while it is just €5 for general admission.
• Please also note that Members’ Bar is open and that all drinks purchased can be consumed in the stand once in plastic glasses.
• WNL games are also streamed free on LOITV.

SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
Friday April 15 2022
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

Bohemians start the second series of games still looking to find the consistency that can propel them up the table.

With a quarter of the league season gone, Derry City are currently the runaway leaders, enjoying a six-point lead over nearest challengers Shamrock Rovers.

But the chasing pack is somewhat more congested.

Bohemians currently sit in sixth place after an indifferent start but there is just three points between them and third spot.

That makes the small margins of conceding late goals to Derry City and Drogheda United in recent games, costing one point and two points respectively, all the more frustrating for manager Keith Long.

Now he wants his team to put a run of results together that can see them looking up the table rather than looking over their shoulders.

Long said: “We now enter the second phase of games and I believe every team with the exception of Derry are looking for a greater level of consistency in terms of results and performances.

“The table is taking shape somewhat but teams that can put a run of games together will climb the table very quickly.

“We are only concerned with ourselves, however, and generating an increased level of performance every week, which will see us move in the right direction.

“Good teams find a way to win and also find a way not to lose when games are in the balance.

“We must do better on both fronts in this phase of games and for the remainder of our campaign.

“I don’t believe we are a million miles off and there have been many positives in recent displays without us necessarily hitting the performance levels I believe we are capable of.

“There have been some good signs but we need to produce them over a prolonged period of time and not in moments.”

Tonight at Dalymount Park they host Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps – a side they have found difficult to break down at times in the past.

Long said: “We face a good Finn Harps team who will also be looking to improve in this series of games.

“I suspect Harps will feel their points tally so far this season does not reflect some of their performances and as always they are very dangerous opponents.

“We will need to focus on producing our best performance and as always our supporters have a pivotal role to play in that.”

It will by some distance be the biggest home support at Dalymount this year with Bohs fans able to purchase tickets for the Des Kelly Stand for the first time this season. That allocation sold out this morning.

Long added: “Dalymount in full voice is an intimidating place to play and it is all of our responsibility to make it an uncomfortable place for visiting teams, so we hope the fans get behind the team from the off again.”

TEAM NEWS

James Finnerty (knee) remains out while Grant Horton (knee) and Stephen Mallon (ankle) are doubts.

SSE Airtricity League
Friday April 8 2022
Head In The Game Park, 7.45pm

Bohemians showed what they are capable of with a resilient team display in their victory out west away to Sligo Rovers on Tuesday night.

Now manager Keith Long has challenged his side to match those performance levels when they travel north to face Drogheda United this evening.

A brilliant run by Promise Omochere from inside his own half resulted in Liam Burt scoring the only goal of the game with a well-executed finish.

But that classy move was backed up by a resilient and determined defensive performance throughout, while Long’s side might have been disappointed not to have scored more having created chances to do so.

Long said: “Keeping clean sheets gives you a platform to win games and that is what we needed on Tuesday.

“We could have won by more – we had some great chances and their keeper did well against us in one v one situations too.

“But it was a resilient team performance, particularly in the second half.

“They showed great character and played really, really well in difficult conditions and on what is currently a difficult pitch to play on.

“The challenge now is that we have to follow that up with another good display but that performance will lift everyone’s confidence – they have shown themselves what they are capable of.”

They now face another away game in quick succession as Kevin Doherty’s Drogs provide the opposition at Head in the Game Park.

Long said: “It is another quick turnaround, Drogheda are very tough opponents and it is always a difficult place to go.

“They don’t give teams an inch on what is a tight pitch.

“But we are determined to continue where we left off on Tuesday night and the team are looking forward to trying to build on that performance.”

After an indifferent run of form in previous weeks, Long’s side were helped over the line at the Showgrounds by a big and vocal travelling support, who were noticeably audible from start to finish to those unable to travel who were watching the game on LOITV.

Long is hoping for more of the same tonight, adding: “We had brilliant travelling numbers behind us from the first whistle, which was especially appreciated by the players given Tuesday is a difficult time for people to travel to away games.

“That support is never taken for granted – those who travelled showed great commitment to the team and the players want to repay that faith.

“We know our allocation for Drogheda is sold out, so such a large travelling support will again give the players a big boost.”

TEAM NEWS

James Finnerty (knee), Stephen Mallon (ankle) and Ryan Cassidy (ankle) remain doubts, as is Rory Feely, who was forced off after just ten minutes on Tuesday.