Alan Reynolds believes the double boost his Bohemians squad received this past week can drive them towards finishing the season on a high.

Bohs’ impressive 2-0 win away to Sligo Rovers last week ended fears that they could be dragged down into the relegation play-off spot.

While Bohs’ season fell far short of expectations, there was nonetheless a sense of relief among the players and travelling support that the club’s Premier Division status next season was put beyond doubt.

Bohs went into the game frustrated that their positive first-half performance the week previously counted for nothing as a saved penalty, sending-off and a wicked deflection for St Pat’s opener all contributed to a bruising 3-1 defeat.

They put that out of their heads heading west, however, and delivered the result that their performance deserved.

Reynolds said: “We all know our supporters are hurting this season, and in reality can’t wait for it to be over to draw a line under it.

“But despite that, the support we got in Sligo, as we have got on the road all season, didn’t go unnoticed. It was the same up in Derry a few weeks ago despite being knocked out of the cup by them a week previously.

“We had two or three hundred in the Showgrounds and they got right behind us from the get-go. I know it’s not easy for supporters after the season we have had to put that out of their heads and give the lads encouragement, but that’s what they did and it really helped.

“The chips were down and heads were low, we all know that. But everyone who went to Sligo, on and off the pitch, knew we all needed to pull in the same direction to get ourselves over the line and get the win we needed to put to bed any risk of us getting sucked into the play-off, and collectively we got the job done.

“It’s not where any of us or our fans want us to be, and I know people are probably tired of hearing that, but we went down there with our fans right behind us regardless. It meant a lot to the players, and there’s no denying there was a collective sense of relief at the end.

“None of us are celebrating where we are, but we obviously enjoyed the win and fed off the supporters at the end.

“I think it was a reminder to our players of what can be achieved, and replicating the energy we saw at the end of the game has to be something that motivates us in our last two games as we look to finish the year strongly and build towards next season.”

Avoiding the play-off spot was the first boost, the second came with the return of captain Keith Buckley, Rob Cornwall and James McManus to the training pitch this week.

The trio will sit the final two games out once more alongside Leigh Kavanagh, Ross Tierney and James Akintunde.

But Reynolds said: “To have the likes of Bucko, Rob and James back training with the squad gave the whole group another big lift.

“Any squad that loses players and personalities of their calibre for a whole season will suffer, and we certainly suffered in their absence this season. They’re not just good players, they are leaders and big personalities who influence players around them.

“Rehabilitation from serious injuries can be a long and lonely period for players so for them to get back in and among the lads this week was a massive positive for them and for all of the lads.

“They have worked so hard all year trying to get back to fitness and I can’t praise their commitment highly enough. They will be knuckling down hard over the closed season to hit the ground running next season too, and I have no doubt that they will have a huge impact for us when we finally have them back in the team.

“As well as those three big long-term injuries, again we have a lot of players out at the moment.

“But at this stage of the season we have to look as that as a positive opportunity for our younger players, so some of our U19s, Rhys Brennan, Seán Moore and Markuss Strods alongside Nickson Okosun, are in contention to feature in our squads for the final two games.

“They are really good quality prospects, so now is a good opportunity for them to be in and around first team training and to see what they are capable of transitioning to senior football.”

Team news

Bohemians are without Rob Cornwall, Leigh Kavanagh, Ross Tierney, Keith Buckley, James McManus and James Akintunde.

Alan Reynolds says Bohemians must channel their frustration to drive them over the line against Sligo Rovers tonight.

Bohs go into the game with their four-point lead on ninth-placed Drogheda United intact after Kevin Doherty’s side lost 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers last night.

Given Bohs’ superior goal difference, a win at the Showgrounds would ensure they avoid the play-off this season.

Reynolds said: “This isn’t where we want to be as a club but the most important thing for us right now is to do what is required to put us out of sight of the play-off.”

Supporters were left frustrated on Monday night when a really encouraging first-half performance against St Patrick’s Athletic ended up counting for nothing as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat.

But that didn’t tell the full story. In a season where Bohs haven’t had much luck, they certainly didn’t have any on Monday as a penalty save, a sending-off and a wicked deflection combined to see them unravel.

Reynolds said: “We were by far the better side in the first half, and we should have been ahead by at least a couple of goals, and obviously Dawson Devoy’s penalty was saved.

“The sending-off of Ross Tierney changed the game completely, and there was a wicked deflection for St Pat’s first goal.

“When you’re a goal down and only have 10 men, you can leave yourself exposed trying to get back into the game and that’s what happened.

“St Pat’s are the form team in the league for the past couple of months. It was their sixth win in a row but we were the better team until the sending-off and I felt that there were an awful lot of positives to take from our performance.

“It’s another defeat, and we’ve had far too many of them this season, particularly at home. Nobody is shying away from that.

“But what I will say is that we were excellent until those turning points, and the quality and intensity of our performance in the first half is exactly the standard we are striving for and want to maintain.”

Bohs have drawn, won and lost to Sligo across their three previous meeting this season, but Reynolds says his side are traveling to the Showgrounds this evening in confidence.

Reynolds added: “Sligo’s last two results have been draws against the top two in the league so there is no doubt that they are a good side but we are going there in confidence too.

“There’s a frustration among the players that our first half performance against St Pat’s counted for nothing so we need to use that frustration to drive us forward against Sligo.

“We’ve gone to the Showgrounds and won this season and they’ve come to Dalymount and won this season so I expect another open game with both sides going for it.”

Team news

Ross Tierney is suspended, while Bohemians continue to be without the injured Leigh Kavanagh, James Akintunde, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley. Martin Miller has returned from international duty with Estonia.

Alan Reynolds says he was pleased with the reaction of his players away to Derry City on Friday but says they need to build on that when the league’s in-form side St Patrick’s Athletic come to Dalymount Park tomorrow night.

Bohs went to the Brandywell two days ago to take on Derry City on the back of a bruising 2-0 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup semi-final defeat against the same opposition a week previously.

Reynolds’ side played some good stuff in the first half, with a neat finish from Archie Meekison after 20 minutes giving them a deserved lead.

They were pegged back by Pat Hoban just after the hour-mark, but Reynolds was pleased with how his players responded after a difficult week.

Reynolds said: “It was a real game of two halves and ultimately I was pleased with our performances in both halves for different reasons.

“In the first half, I was pleased because we showed real quality. Having played the same side on our home patch a week previously, I was deeply frustrated with that performance and how despite having so much possession, we failed to test their keeper.

“But I think in the first half we showed we have quality, and we showed we are capable of putting it up to top teams.

“In the second half, I was pleased with the players for a different reason. I was pleased because they showed a grit and determination that has too often eluded us this season. Derry came after us and they have real quality in their team to do so, but I felt that we battled for everything.

“Ultimately on another day it’s a game we could have won. Derry should have had a man sent off and with that I think we would have had enough about us to win the game.

“In isolation it is a good result. The Brandywell has always been a difficult place for any team to get a result so we are pleased to get a result.

“But it’s also another draw for us where I feel we could have won the game. That’s our tenth draw in the league this season and when we look back we know we have left a lot of points behind us in games we were capable of winning.

“That has been one of the disappointing aspects of this season, that we have had a platform in games where we are right in it to win but haven’t had enough about us to put teams away.”

Friday’s result, coupled with Drogheda United’s 0-0 draw away to Waterford, maintained Bohs’ four-point gap ahead of ninth place.

But standing in their way of extending that advantage tomorrow night is a St Patrick’s Athletic team unbeaten in the league since July and who have won their last five games.

Former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has overseen a total turnaround in fortunes since a shaky start to his reign. Qualification for Europe is now within their grasp, and they are already being tipped as contenders for next season.

Reynolds added: “Listen they are a quality side. I expect an entertaining game, and I expect it to be open.

“They’re in the hunt for Europe and will be coming here with their tails up after a brilliant run. We know where we are at in the table, so we need to build on the positives of Friday and give absolutely everything of ourselves again.”

Team news

Bohemians continue to be without the injured Leigh Kavanagh, James Akintunde, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley, while Martin Miller is available once more.

Alan Reynolds says Bohemians are going to have to give absolutely everything of themselves on and off the pitch to get past Derry City in their Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup semi-final tomorrow.

Beaten finalists in 2021 and 2023, Bohs go into the game looking to salvage their season with a date at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday November 10 against Drogheda United or Wexford on offer for tomorrow’s victors.

But despite being at home at Dalymount Park, the bookies have Reynolds’ side as the underdogs for this last-four tie against Ruaidhrí Higgins’ Candystripes who, just four points off table-toppers Shelbourne, are very much eyeing up a league and cup double.

Reynolds: “There is no doubting the size of the challenge ahead of us. Derry on their day are the best team in the league so, to a man, we will have to give absolutely everything of ourselves.

“We haven’t had the season we want in the league, so this is a massive opportunity for us to achieve something this year.

“This is where we want to be, and want to be regularly; in high-pressure games against the best teams in the league with prizes on the line. That is what we are all working towards and we have to seize the opportunity that is in front of us tomorrow.

“To do that we need to be at our very best from the first whistle. Against a team as good as Derry, we need to be ruthless in possession, in winning back possession, and show a killer instinct in front of goal that has evaded us too often this season.

“Our players go into this game with that determination. We know how good Derry are but we have shown that when we are at our very best, and have that vocal backing of our supporters, that we are capable of beating the best teams in this league.

“In the first round of this competition we were underdogs against Shamrock Rovers and with our players and supporters pulling together in the right direction, we pulled through.

“That’s the level we need tomorrow, and more again. We need everyone on and off the pitch giving everything of ourselves.

“We need Dalymount hopping, because as we have seen before, that can be the difference in games of such high intensity like this.”

Bohs come into this game having got back to winning ways against Oriel Park last week. Coming on the back of frustrating 1-0 defeats to Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers, that victory was important to lift the mood ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final but also to maintain the four-point gap between ninth-placed Drogs.

After a disappointing first half, Bohs looked a different side in the second with a super strike from Dawson Devoy settling nerves as Reynolds’ men ended up comfortable 2-0 winners.

He added: “We weren’t happy with our first half performance, Dundalk shaded it and had chances. The pitch didn’t help us but we still needed to be better. As I said after the game, we rode our luck but maybe we were due a slice of luck.

“I felt that we were much improved in the second half. Dawson’s goal was a moment of real quality that set the tone, and we could and probably should have won by more in the end.

“We needed that win. Where we are in the table, we need to maintain that gap ahead of Drogheda as they have shown what they are capable of over the last few weeks and months, but it was a needed lift heading into tomorrow’s game too.”

Team news

Jordan Flores returns but James Akintunde, Leigh Kavanagh and Alex Greive are doubts. James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

Alan Reynolds says Bohemians have a fight on their hands and they have to rise to the challenge.

Successive defeats in the past week against Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers has Bohs looking over their shoulder once more.

Conceding an 84th minute goal to lose 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium was a bitter pill to swallow and Bohs need to start getting points on the board, with ninth-placed Drogheda just four points behind them.

Reynolds said: “We said last week that losing to Drogheda last week has given us a big job to do and that remains the case.

“We have a fight on our hands and as a group we have to rise to that challenge.

“The players were obviously very disappointed on Monday against Rovers. There was no lack of effort from our players on Monday but there was a lack of killer instinct.

“We had players in the squad who’d been sick for a few days. Leigh Kavanagh came off sick against Drogheda and was too sick to play, and there were others like James Clarke in the same boat who didn’t recover in time to play.

“It was something that went through a few players in the squad and it affected them but they gave everything of themselves and they were out on their feet by the end.

“We lacked the killer instinct in front of goal you need against sides as good as Rovers. We had to be clinical but we weren’t. We have to find that killer instinct.

“We are under no illusions of the position we are in. We have to come out fighting to get points on the board.”

Tonight’s trip to Oriel Park will be Dundalk’s first home game since a last-minute change in ownership prevented the club going out of business less than a fortnight ago.

Reynolds added: “It will be an emotional night for them I’m sure after a difficult few weeks for the club.

“We have to block all of that out. We have an important job to do and we need everyone pulling in the same direction to ensure we get the result we need.”

Team news

Bohemians are without Leigh Kavanagh, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley. Jordan Flores is a doubt but Filip Piszczek could return to the squad.