Swan and Long – Stephen Burke

The former UCD striker said: “It was only our second training session of pre-season. It was really unfortunate. Even the way it happened, it wasn’t even a bad tackle.

“It was just from the way I landed after crossing the ball. I’ve never had a serious injury before that but I knew something wasn’t right.”

It was a cruel blow and one that tested Swan’s strength of character.

But, with the support of manager Keith Long, assistant manager Trevor Croly and a strong dressing room, Swan persevered.

Croly and Swan – Stephen Burke

He said: “The first few weeks were hard, really hard. They were probably the hardest few weeks of my life.

“You’re watching on as all the lads prepared for the season opener against Rovers knowing you wouldn’t even get to play a game in the season.

“But as the rehab progressed, I was more positive. Keith and Trevor keep you going and make you feel a part of it.

“You’re never left drift away just because you’re injured and all the lads in the dressing play a big role in that too.

“When the lads went on that really good run of form in the second half of last season, it inspired me even more to want to be a part of that.”

Swan gets off the mark against Harps – Stephen Burke

That determination continued over the closed season period, with the Finglas man determined to knuckle down and make up for lost time.

He said: “All over Christmas I couldn’t wait to get started, I think it’s the first pre-season I’ve ever looked forward to!”

He finally made his Bohs debut in a 10-minute cameo appearance in the opening day of the season 1-0 victory against Finn Harps but found game-time hard to come by due to the early-season form of Corcoran.

Similar appearances from the bench followed but he had to wait until the tenth game of the season to get his first league start, benefiting from Long’s decision to rotate his squad during a congested month in the fixture calendar, playing 86 minutes against Dundalk in Oriel Park in a game Bohs should have won but lost 1-0 in injury time.

He said: “I knew I would have to bide my tine. It was never going to be easy the way Dinny started the season and the impact.

“I just had to keep my head down and take my chance when it came.”

And that he has done. Getting up to speed after a season on the sidelines is easier said than done but he has equipped himself well in the appearances he has made so far.

With Corcoran suffering a serious ankle injury in last month’s defeat to Sligo Rovers, Swan now has the chance to stake his claim.

And he did his chances of getting an extended run in the team no harm when he nabbed a brace in Bohs’ last outing against Finn Harps.

Swan said: “It was a special, special moment for me after the year I had. To grab a second was great too.

“I was just delighted to get off the mark and I hope I can go on and get more now.”

Ryan, front, with Derek and family – Sportsfile

Seeing the surname Swan appear on the Bohs scoresheet 19 years after his father Derek scored his final goals in red and black leads to inevitable and probably unavoidable comparisons between the two.

But Ryan take that in his stride, adding: “It doesn’t faze me at all, we’re different people and different players. To me he’s just my da!

“But I do love reading stuff about him when he crops up in the programme from time to time.”

While he is unmoved by those comparisons, he admits he relishes the fact that supporters have reworked the Derek Swan Blue Moon chant regularly sung on the terraces two decades ago to include his name instead.

He said: “When I signed I wondered would they sing it. I heard it for the first time up in Oriel Park and I love the fact they sing the same song that they sang about my dad.

“It felt special hearing that, but a bit strange too!”

Ryan, front, and family at Derek’s testimonial v Tranmere Rovers in 2000 – Sportsfile

If he manages to get on the scoresheet against Rovers, those father-son comparisons will continue but again the young hitman is taking tomorrow’s game in his stride.

He added: “For me you have to look at it as just another game. I’ve prepared for it like it’s no different to any other game. You eat, sleep and train the same way and focus on what is required of you.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohs are without Rob Cornwall (Achilles), Dinny Corcoran (ankle), Danny Grant (hamstring) and Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) as well as the suspended duo of skipper Derek Pender and James Finnerty and Darragh Leahy who is on international duty with the Ireland U21s in Toulon.

Keith Buckley (leg) and Robbie McCourt (ankle) return to the fold.

Ross Tierney gives Dan Casey the runaround – Stephen Burke

It was his first start for the seniors, his only previous first-team minutes coming as a substitute in the Leinster Senior Cup win against First Division Shelbourne earlier this year.

But the diminutive teen put it up to a physical Cork City side.

His opener set Bohs on their way to a 2-0 victory – fellow ex-Kevin’s man Danny Mandroiu added the second from the spot – and settled what could have been a period of nervy uncertainty after the home side spurned a golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot moments earlier.

Tierney, 18, said: “I was actually preparing for the U19s’ game in Longford on Sunday at the weekend but Craig Sexton, the U19s manager, rang me saying that I would be in the first team squad on Monday instead.

“I trained with the first team expecting just to be in the squad but Keith Long pulled me aside and said “You know why you’re here?” and then told me that I’d be starting. It was a bit of a surprise.

“I was delighted to get the chance to show what I can do. I don’t think I started as well as I would have liked but the intensity was always going to be higher from what I’m used to and I knew that. Keith says it will take time to adjust to that.”

He is perhaps overly self-critical. While there was a rawness to his game, he settled quickly considering and his goal contributed hugely to Bohs progressing to the last four where they will meet Dundalk away on the August Bank Holiday Monday.

Tierney in full flight – Stephen Burke

One man in attendance who missed Tierney’s goal, however, was Ross’ brother Dean.

The bars at Dalymount Park are one of its selling points in attracting fans. But their draw has seen many a supporter miss kick-off or goals either side of half-time as patrons finish up their drinks or go to the bar early to beat the queues.

Dean had no such excuse – his brother’s goal game on 33 minutes! Ross laughed: “We had just had a penalty saved, so he went in to get a pint. It took longer than he expected, they had to change the keg or something.

“The next thing he hears over the PA that No 26 Ross Tierney had scored and he said he just went “Ah Jaysus!”

Tierney’s progression comes as no surprise to those who have worked with him. The Ballymun man’s association with Bohs’ partners St Kevin’s began a decade ago and he has represented Ireland internationally up to U18 level.

He said: “I came to St Kevin’s when I was eight. I was with them from U9s up to U14s. I won five leagues and two All-Irelands. I left for a year and went to Belvo U14s and won and All-Ireland there but then have been at Bohs-SKB for U15s and U17s and on to the U19s.”

Then.. Tierney and Mandroiu at St Kevin’s in 2014

He echoes the growing sentiments that the transition from schoolboy football to men’s football has improved with the evolving League of Ireland pathway structure.

The likes of Warren O’Hora, Daniel Grant, Andy Lyons, Paddy Kirk, Ali Reghba and Ryan Graydon, all of whom came through Bohs’ U19s, are perfect examples of first-team success stories so far.

Tierney said: “The continuity helps. You get to know what is expected of you and you get to know people. You look at the team on Monday and there were nine ex-Kevin’s and then you had Andy and Paddy too who came through Bohs U17s and U19s.

“We’ve one of the youngest teams in the league but Keith Long always says that it doesn’t matter what age or height you are: if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

“It drives you on when you see players not all that much older than you playing regularly for the first team. I think Bohs have become the best club in the country for bringing players through.

“We are all one big club from first team down to U13s. We all want each other to do well. We don’t have money like other clubs but what we have that is more important is togetherness and trust from Keith.”

As well looking to progress with the first team, Tierney is hoping he will get another chance to represent Bohs in Europe later this year. Much like last season, Sexton’s U19s face another nervy wait to see if they will quality for the Uefa Youth League.

It is a complex qualification process and, due to Ireland’s low seeding, Bohs will once again be relying on results and games out of their control to nab a spot in the competition.

Bohs lost out narrowly 4-2 on aggregate to Danes FC Midtjylland last year, but were up against a side with designs on winning the competition and who subsequently knocked out giants Roma and Manchester United before bowing out against Porto.

Due to Uefa’s rigid eligibility rules, Sexton’s team was depleted. Tierney was one of those to benefit and was promoted from Jimmy Mowlds’ Bohs-SKB U17s for the tie.

Tierney added: “Off the pitch they had amazing facilities and their players were in a full-time set-up. But on the pitch the difference wasn’t huge.

“If we had all our players available, you never know, we could have beaten them. I’m hoping we get another chance in the tournament this year as it was an amazing experience.”

Now… Tierney and Mandroiu both netted for Bohs on Monday

Tierney deserves that – he has had his set-backs too. He said: “Growing up I never shied away from tackles – I tore my MCL as a result! But sometimes it’s more dangerous to pull out when you’ve committed.

“It was in my last game for St Kevin’s at U15s. I missed the guts of half a season for the Bohs-SKB U17s but the manager Jimmy Mowlds always had confidence in me and gave me a chance when I got back fit.”

That no-fear side to his game was evident on Monday too. Tierney is small in stature, but didn’t shy away from a full-blooded challenge against the towering and imposing former Bohs man Dan Casey, although he came off worse with stud marks on his leg visible from the stand.

He said: “I saw the ball between me and Dan. I committed and I think if I’d pulled out I’d have ended up lying in the Jodi Stand!

“Robbie Murray, the physio, thought I’d need two stitches but I didn’t want to come off! He put vaseline on it instead and I played on.”

Whether he has done enough to keep his place in the squad for the visit of Finn Harps to Dalymount remains to be seen. But if not, it is only a matter of time before we see him lining out for the first team once more.

For now, Tierney is enjoying being part of the collective, adding: “Bohs have surprised a few people.

“Obviously we have had a few disappointing results lately in the league, losing to late goals. But at the start of the season, you’d have been delighted to have been third at this point and hopefully the lads can build on that.”

To do that, Bohs will need to end a run of five games without a win.

That will be easier said than done, with manager Long adding: “Harps have been on a good run of form and our previous games this season have been very close affairs and tonight we expect nothing different.

“Our performances in my view deserved more from recent games and the players are putting in a huge amount of effort and are playing well. Performances have been good and the bigger picture for us is that we currently sit in third place in the table going into the third phase of games.

” We have a young team who are developing very well. We know we can be better and we know what’s required to get more from games. We may not win every game but we understand what we need to do in order to try and win.”

TEAM NEWS

Rob Cornwall (Achilles), Dinny Corcoran (ankle), Danny Grant (hamstring), Robbie McCourt (ankle) and Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) are all out.

Keith Buckley (leg) is rated 50-50.

Conor Levingston returns from suspension but skipper Derek Pender remains suspended.

Darragh Leahy is away on international duty with the Ireland U21s.

James Talbot is also on international duty with the Ireland senior team but will be released to play against Finn Harps.

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians will be without striker Dinny Corcoran, who was carried off on a stretcher during Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park.

X-rays yesterday confirmed that Corcoran fractured a bone in his foot and faces an undetermined but lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Bohs are also without Danny Grant (hamstring), Rob Cornwall (Achilles), Keith Buckley (leg), Cristian Magerusan (cruciate), Aaron Barry (unable to play against parent club) and the suspended duo of skipper Derek Pender and Conor Levingston.

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• Please note season tickets and Junior Gypsies do not apply for cup games
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Talbot’s form in April earned him the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month Award but he himself would admit that those in front of him in defence had also contributed hugely to his clean sheet tally. He will need that support again if Bohs are to get back to winning ways.

That said, with 18 games of the 36 now played, nobody predicted the Gypsies would still be occupying third place at the halfway point of the season. They have slipped to nine points off pacesetters Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, but remain four points ahead of Derry City who occupy fourth spot.

But to maintain or improve on their position in third place, Long believes his side need to develop a ‘cuteness’ that complements their undoubted talent and youthful enthusiasm.

His side have lost five league games this season. You could argue that there is no great shame in that – all five defeats have come against last season’s first and second-placed teams.

But Long wants better than that, acknowledging that the manner of the most recent defeat has highlighted the sometimes ruthless nature of the step-up from underage football to the senior game.

On Monday, Bohs came out of the traps quickly with the ever-impressive 19-year-old Danny Grant putting them ahead after only two minutes.

But that good work was undone as he was forced off with a hamstring injury – set to rule him out for a least a month – while his replacement Graydon was sent off for two bookable offences in what was a turning point in the game, with Dundalk making their extra man count and equalising 12 minutes later through Georgie Kelly.

Bohs looked to have enough to claim a draw, however. But, for the second time this season, instead lost out in Oriel Park because of a last-minute penalty conceded by a full-back who had otherwise not put a foot wrong all game.

Indeed, Andy Lyons had cleared the ball off the line only minutes previously in what until stoppage time was yet another performance delivered with a maturity and confidence way beyond his 18 years.

It was a cruel lesson and one almost identical to when the sides last met at the same venue in April as Paddy Kirk’s foul on the edge of the box saw Bohs lose a game they should have won thanks to a last-minute penalty.

But there were other examples of youthful naivety: Graydon’s two bookings were avoidable, while fellow sub Reghba was taken off by Long to avoid him suffering the same fate.

And, perhaps most agonisingly, had Danny Mandroiu – the free-kick hero in the 1-1 draw away to St Pat’s last Friday – stayed on his feet in the Dundalk penalty area when he looked to have been fouled in the moments prior to the home side being awarded a spot-kick at the opposite end.

It was a frustrating night for the young guns but one Long says they can learn and bounce back from.

Long said: “It was a gut-wrenching injury-time defeat away, which consigned us to our second reversal to Dundalk in 10 days and a third defeat in just over a month against them.

“Having gone ahead in the game with an expertly taken goal from Danny Grant, things started to unravel for us just before half-time when Danny pulled up.

“Ryan, who replaced Danny, was shown two yellows in the space of 12 second-half minutes. The first looked a little soft and the second one, although it was a booking, was exaggerated by Daniel Cleary who quickly got to his feet to take the resulting free-kick.

“Ryan realised immediately. I’m not blaming the ref as we gave him a decision to make and we need to be better in those moments.

“Being a man down proved difficult. We had no real outlet but we defended resolutely with the occasional counter-attack.

“James made a couple of fantastic saves after the equaliser, which kept the game alive for us until injury-time when we broke and should have scored a winner with Robbie McCourt failing to make enough contact with Danny Mandroiu cross.

“But that highlighted one of the significant differences between us and Dundalk at this time. Danny was actually fouled in the penalty area before crossing to Robbie, but Danny stayed on his feet trying to create a goal-scoring opportunity.

“If that was a Dundalk player, they would have hit the ground and would have given the ref a decision to make. We need to be cuter in these moments and learn from this horrible feeling.

“The concession of another late penalty to decide the game was a dagger to the heart but, again, we have to do better.

“We are young. We have – and will continue to – make mistakes. But we must learn quickly how to manage moments in games better if we are to progress and continue to move forward. ”

That will be easier said than done as they welcome Liam Buckley’s Sligo Rovers to Dalymount.

The Bit O’Red have lost just once in the nine games since Bohs beat them 2-0 at the Showgrounds at the beginning of last month.

But Long expects a reaction from his side, adding: “This is an opportunity for us to bounce back from Monday’s disappointment.

“We need to show our mettle now and put in a performance at home after a couple of disappointing results.”

TEAM NEWS

Danny Grant (hamstring) is set to miss out for at least a month. Rob Cornwall (Achilles), Kevin Devaney (groin) and Keith Ward (ankle) are all doubts. Ryan Graydon is suspended. Cristian Magerusan remains out.

Those doubts came from the outside – Long trusted his instincts and those of his backroom staff. He had no fear giving young players an opportunity he felt their efforts deserved. While many lacked experience, he trusted their ability to adapt.

That trust was vindicated. It was sink or swim, but worth the risk. Yet just how quickly most adapted came as a surprise to most – probably even to Long, although he is unlikely to admit it.

Lyons was one of those young guns who stood up to be counted. He had already been blooded in games in the Leinster Senior and EA Sports cups, making his league debut off the bench against Derry in April.

He followed that up by deputising in place of injured skipper Derek Pender in subsequent games, delivering performances a seasoned pro would have been proud of.

And, a month after turning 18 and just as he embarked on his Leaving Cert year, he continued to belie his inexperience when he was one of those 11 men brought in and tasked with making the most of the opportunity afforded them.

Things looked ominous when the Gypsies conceded after just three minutes, but the maturity of their response made victory all the sweeter as a brace from teenager Ali Reghba – with a goal from Robbie McCourt sandwiched in between – giving Bohs a perhaps unexpected victory.

But the 3-1 win – and the manner of it – didn’t come just arrive from nowhere.

It was several seasons in the making between work at U19 and U17 levels driven towards a collective goal coupled with the budding partnership with St Kevin’s beginning to bear fruits.

Taking time out from his Leaving Cert studies, Lyons said: “The club has shown that if you work hard, you will get your chance. I think we’ve the best youth system in the country.

“Every young player should want to come to Bohs. The management make you believe in yourself and you want to repay the faith shown to you.

“You are made feel part of a family and if you’re good enough, you will be given an opportunity.”

Lyons is well-placed to pass comment. Earmarked by Long as one for the future when he watched him lining out for St Joseph’s Boys, Lyons then came through the ranks at Bohs’ U17s and U19s.

At U19 level, he was captain as Craig Sexton’s side won the league last season to make it two-in-a-row for the club at that level.

They also won the Enda McGuill Cup to make it a double as well as proudly representing Ireland in the Uefa Youth League where they narrowly lost out to FC Midtjylland.

He has since, alongside Reghba, helped the Ireland U19s qualify for the European Championships and will be expecting to be on the plane to Armenia with them in July.

Lyons said: “Keith Long picked me up watching me at U15s or U16s. I’m a big Joey’s man, as was Keith Long.

“I came through with Jimmy Mowlds’ U17s and then with the 19s. You are learning all the time and are being pushed all the time but are made feel part of the family.”

Earlier this season, Long sighted Lyons and fellow full-back and fellow former Bohs U19 captain Paddy Kirk as perfect examples of what the club wants from players coming through at youth level.

He said: “They understand what it is to be a Bohs player. They have an affinity with the club and they know what it means to play for the club. That’s the class of player we want.

“Andy wants to play more games. He’s behind our club captain Derek Pender but is pushing for more regular starts. Paddy is the same. Paddy is absolutely breathing down the neck of Darragh.”

Lyons’ confidence is evident but he is also too humble to talk himself up too much.

He does, however, echo the sentiment of knowing what it means to play for the club and that sense of belonging, despite having to bide his time when it comes to first-team opportunities.

He said: “It’s become a second home for me. It’s my second family.”

Such affinity might not have come so easily in previous times.

But one of the net results of the restructuring of youth football and the extension of League of Ireland football to U19, U17, U15 and, most recently – and less popularly – to U13 level, is the chance of players developing a long-standing relationship with a League of Ireland club in a way that would not have happened before.

While his own past and loyalties mean he will always be a Joey’s man, Lyons came to the club at a young age and has already seen the potential of Bohs’ partnership with Kevin’s and believes it can only get better.

He said: “I’ve been at the club a few years now so know what it means. That relationship from schoolboy right to first team could be huge.”

That relationship was already there. It was just a matter of joining up the dots.

In the first team, you have Darragh Leahy, Danny Mandroiu, Robbie McCourt and Luke Wade-Slater, who were all at St Kevin’s before being reunited at Bohs having returned home from spells in England.

At coaching level too, the intertwined crossover in affinities are too plentiful to mention.

Lyons said: “The structures are such that you could have players at the club together for four or five years together before they even get to the first team.

“That could be huge and will make it feel even more like a family.”

Making the step-up from underage level to senior is another story though. Not all will make it, but they will be afforded the opportunity to do so.

Helping them along the way are senior pros, the likes of captain Derek Pender and vice-captain Keith Buckley.

Having come on for his captain seven minutes into last week’s 2-0 defeat to Dundalk, Lyons will be aiming to retain his place. But getting selected ahead of a man he looks up to and respects will never be easy.

“Detser” is regularly held up as an example by younger players as someone who inspires them and helps them along the way.

James Talbot’s interviews this week being a case in point. Winning the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association Player of the Month Award, the 22-year-old said: “You look at Derek Pender. I saw a video of Detser before the Shamrock Rovers game in the huddle, and you could see what it means to him.

“They’re the sort of people you want to be playing with. I’d go to war with Detser. If he dropped there, I’d jump on him, I’d do anything for him.”

But part of Detser’s leadership qualities is his amusing ability of bringing young players with notions back down to earth.
Lyons’ standing as a pupil at Blackrock College and a rugby fan makes him a natural target for slagging in a football dressing room, especially from a no-nonsense captain born and reared in inner-city Dublin.

That was the case once again this week when Blackrock College tweeted a photo of Lyons being presented with a sports day award by Ireland and Leinster star Garry Ringrose, a notable alumni of the prestigious school.

Lyons laughs: “I get a bit of stick! I got an award… but I wasn’t telling anyone at Bohs about it!

“But it went up on twitter. I came to training Detser was just looking at me, staring at me. I knew I was about to get a slagging. I walked in and he was like “who was that lad in the photo? He didn’t know who the No 13 for Ireland was!

“I’m always getting slagged for liking rugby. It’s all good fun. Detser was giving me a lift but he threatened to make me get the bus!”

Like his captain, Lyons enjoys a laugh but also like a captain, he is ultimately a serious and driven personality.

He would have to be when juggling being a senior footballer with studying for his Leaving Cert.

That kicks off in two and a half weeks’ time. Lyons is studying eight subjects – English, Irish, maths, biology, Spanish, geography, home economics and business studies.

He admits combing both his sporting ambitions with his educational ones is a challenge.

But it’s one he relishes, adding: “It’s hard enough. You’ve got three nights’ training, a match and then a recovery session at the weekend.

“But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It breaks up the day and I manage it okay.”

And what to next when the results come in?

He added: “I want to go to college, maybe DCU. I’m looking at courses in business and sport management, that line of things… but we’ll see!”

TEAM NEWS

This game will come too soon for Rob Cornwall (Achilles), Conor Levingston (foot) and Danny Grant (knee). Keith Ward (foot) is a doubt. Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) remains out.