SSE Airtricity League
Friday March 4 2022
Finn Park, 8pm
Live on LOITV

Ali Coote is happy with his new central role with Bohemians – even if those who have replaced him on the wings have been the centre of attention so far.

Bohs have amassed four points from their opening two games of the 2022 SSE Airtricity League season with a 2-2 draw against Dundalk last Friday and a 1-0 win against St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday.

Used mainly out wide on the right in 2021, Coote impressed in his debut season at Dalymount Park, so much so that he picked up the SSE Airtricity/SWI August Player of the Month Award following the starring role he played in Bohs’ European run.

This year so far, however, Coote has played in the central role behind the striker that was vacated by Ross Tierney following his closed season move to Motherwell.

And 23-year-old Coote is happy to be given an opportunity in a position that he feels comes more naturally to him.

The Scotsman, who lives with team-mates Liam Burt, Stephen Mallon and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, said: “I am really enjoying the role so far. It is more my position.

“Last season, when I was playing on the right, I was more plugging a hole.

“I think I did quite well there, but I am happy to show what I can do in a different role this season.”

The role Coote himself has vacated for now has seen Kris Twardek reclaim the right-wing berth he occupied in 2020 season before he departed for stints in Poland and Czech Republic, while Burt’s absence through injury has afforded fit-again Mallon an opportunity to impress on the opposite flank.

Twardek’s performances in the opening two games have earned great plaudits, while Mallon claimed the headlines on Monday with his Dublin derby winner.

Coote said: “We all knew what Stephen was capable of. We saw it in training last season and in the few minutes he got last season.

“We are delighted he finally has a chance to show that properly now, and that he got his first goal as well. Long may that continue.

“We all know what Kris is capable of as well from his time with Bohs and the league previously. He is a really quick and physical threat, and has come into the team and has done really well so far.”

While the season is only in its infancy, the attacking performances so far bode well for the time ahead, particularly when you consider the talent of Burt and Junior are yet to come into contention.

Coote said: “You need that element of healthy competition in the squad so that in every game and training session we keep returning a high level performance.

“I think we have been good so far. We built on our performance in the first game to get a good result against St Pat’s. To be honest, we felt we could have been more clinical in that game too, so there is plenty to work on.

“The whole team is young. It will take time to get exactly where we want to be but we seem to be clicking quickly so far.

“We are fully aware that we need to keep that going, and that we need to keep on improving now, but the signs are positive so far.”

Coote and Co will look to build on their opening two outings when they make the long trip to Donegal to face Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps.

Coote added: “Finn Harps is another big challenge for us to see where we are at – we all know how tough a place it is to go, and that they have a unique direct style. We will need to be at our very best.”

TEAM NEWS

Liam Burt (groin) and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (ankle) remain unavailable.

SSE Airtricity League
Friday February 25 2022
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Live on LOITV.ie

Keith Long wants Bohemians to start as they mean to go on by making a good first impression and getting a sold-out Jodi Stand behind them from the off this evening.

Long said: “All clubs look forward to the beginning of the season every year with high hopes, great anticipation and expectations.

“We are no different as we seek to kick off our campaign with a positive performance and result at home in front of our fans.

“Dalymount is a special place to play football and it is important to try and make a good first impression, get the crowd behind us and play to our capacity.

“We know the importance of getting a good start and we hope to do that tonight with a positive display.

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SSE Airtricity League
Friday November 19 2021
The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
Live on LOITV

Keith Long has urged the expected large travelling support at the Showgrounds to do their bit to help his Bohemians side finish the league season on a high.

A victory would ensure a fourth-placed finish and European qualification for Bohs but having lost 4-0 the last time these sides met under the shadows of Ben Bulben in June, Long’s men will have their work cut out for them.

Level on points with Derry City but with a far greater goal difference, finishing fourth is firmly in Bohemians’ hands but they do not want to be relying on Dundalk doing them a favour against the Candystripes.

Long said: “It’s our final league game of the season and a very important game in terms of trying to finish in a European position through the league.

“We know what we have to do, the boys have prepared well, and are fully focused on putting in a good performance.

“It’s a big challenge. Sligo are a very good side and the Showgrounds is always a tough place to go.

“Hopefully we will have a large travelling Bohs support to help us over the 90+ minutes, and hopefully we can send our supporters home happy at the end of the night.”

TEAM NEWS

Andy Lyons, Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy return from international duty with the Ireland U21s, while Rory Feely returns from suspension.

Ali Coote is suspended, while Georgie Kelly (calf) remains out.

SSE Airtricity League
Friday November 12 2021
Dalymount Park, 7,45pm
Exclusively live on LOITV
Audio described commentary: access4all.bohemians.ie

With both the Jodi Stand and Des Kelly Stand packed out with Bohemians fans tonight, Keith Long hopes the Dalymount Roar can spur his side on to victory as they aim to remain in fourth place.

Long said: “With two games remaining, it is all to play for and we will be doing our very best to remain in fourth place.

“It is also our last home game of the season and I would like to thank our supporters all for all their brilliant support throughout the campaign.

“Our form in the league has been frustrating at times but one thing that has been consistent is our fans’ unwavering support for the team and their club.

“We will need that support in Dalymount one last time tonight, and again in Sligo next week to help us.”

Bohs took advantage of Derry City dropping points against Finn Harps as Sunday’s 2-1 win over Drogheda United to finally leapfrog the Candystripes.

Long said: “That was a hard-fought win, which moved us into fourth place in the table.”

Maintaining that position will be easier said than done. But Bohs have shown this season that they are capable of putting it up to tonight’s visitors.

Long said: “This game is huge for us in terms of trying to secure a European place through the league.

“Shamrock Rovers have consistently been the best team this season and they are deserving champions.

“Stephen has produced back to back titles for his club and along with his players and staff deserve great credit for their achievements.”

TEAM NEWS

Andy Lyons, Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney are unavailable as they are with the Ireland U21s.

Rory Feely is suspended, Georgie Kelly (calf) remains out, while James Talbot (groin) is a doubt.

Stephen Mallon (hip) is available for selection.

Gavin O’Brien, Seán Grehan, James McManus and Aaron Doran are promoted to the first-team squad from the Bohemians U19s.

SSE Airtricity League
Sunday November 7 2021
Dalymount Park, 5pm
Match tickets: tickets.bohemians.ie
Exclusively live on LOITV

The battle for fourth is between four teams but Bohemians once again have the opportunity to move into pole position if they win against Drogheda United this evening.

Keith Long’s men failed to capitalise twice in recent weeks to leapfrog Derry City into fourth but will be hoping for third time lucky against Drogs at Dalymount.

But that will be easier said than done against Tim Clancy’s men who have beaten and drawn with Bohs this season; the Gypsies winning 5-0 when the sides last met in Dalymount in July the outlier of those three performances.

Long said: “Drogheda have had a fine season upon their return to the Premier Division and are more than a match for any team.

“Our respective league positions shows how tight it has been between the two teams this year and the points have been shared to date in the three previous encounters.

“Tonight we will be looking to make home advantage count and get back to winning ways in the league.”

Bohs come into the game after a mixed couple of weeks. Winning the FAI Cup semi-final against Waterford was an unbelievable high, but they came crashing down to earth with defeat against the same opposition in the league three days later.

That was followed by the concession a poor injury-time equaliser after an otherwise impressive performance against Derry City in the Brandywell.

Against St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday, Bohs were extremely fortunate to be only 2-0 down, but battled back to draw 2-2 and had plenty of opportunities to go on and win it too.

Long said: “Tonight we will be looking to build on the second half performance in Inchicore and tidy up on some of the costly errors. If we can do that we give ourselves every chance.

“Our recent form has been very mixed and we have been our own worst enemy at times with some of the goals we have conceded as a team.

“The basics of the game need to be done brilliantly every time and that’s not something we can say we have done consistently this season. It has been frustrating for us all but we have to continue to work hard in our attempts to improve.

“This group of players are very much together and although they may disappoint at times they never stop trying and will always give it their best.

“They have not been helped with the volume of games they have been exposed to with very little time for recovery and preparation. I am conscious that my words can be perceived as excuses but I can only offer an insight into my thoughts.

“It has been extremely trying to play games every three days. Monday against St Pat’s was our sixth game in 18 days, which is the second time we have had to do that this season. We have played 10 games Monday/Friday weekends, five of which were originally scheduled.

“This is not a sustainable workload for any group of players and we have suffered in my view as a club for developing young players and the lack of vision regarding our fixture calendar.

“I am not suggesting that this is the sole reason why we find ourselves in the position that we are in – we have lost or drawn too many games this year – but it certainly hasn’t helped at a defining time of the season.

“As a backroom team we have made the decision, for the welfare of the players and the greater good of the squad, to play our game against Shamrock Rovers this Friday without the players who are away with the Ireland U21 squad.

“We felt we had no other choice considering the alternative was to play our games on Thursday 4th and Sunday 7th of November, which would have seen us play eight games in 24 days, and then nothing until the 19th of November.

“This was just not feasible in our view, and it would be completely wreckless on our part had we agreed. By doing this, we at least have a better chance and more days to recover and prepare for tonight’s game, and likewise for the Rovers game on Friday.

“Drogheda find themselves in a situation quite similar to us but this situation was utterly avoidable from the outset as it was raised as a concern last season but was never acted upon.

“Managers and coaches are key stakeholders in the game but are very often overlooked when it comes to conversations directly relating to football.

“I am sure the issue will be addressed next season but for us as a club it is disappointing that with so much at stake we find ourselves in this position.”

TEAM NEWS

Andy Lyons (illness) is a doubt, while Georgie Kelly (calf) and Stephen Mallon (hip) remain out.