“We’ve struggled for consistency this season but we’ve a good run in the last few weeks and it’s important we try continue that and push on.”

Since a demoralising 3-0 reversal at home to Sligo Rovers a month ago, Bohs have dusted themselves down and earned deserved plaudits for three high-scoring victories since.

They have beaten Bray Wanderers and Limerick 6-0 and 5-0 respectively with a decent performance in a 2-0 defeat away to the league’s form team Dundalk sandwiched in between.

And last Friday they reached new heights by beating First Division Wexford 7-0 in the FAI Cup.

But continuing that good form against a Rovers side hurting from their exit from the cup against Drogheda United last Friday presents a fresh challenge.

Long added: “We’ve played well in recent weeks and we want to able to continue to do that against stronger opposition.

“The most pleasing aspect of those performances was the determination and confidence we showed in our play.

“Rovers are obviously a step up from the opposition we’ve beaten recently and they had been in good form up until their cup game last week.

“But we’re going to Tallaght, positive, confident and determined to do well.”

TEAM NEWS

Rob Cornwall (hamstring) remains a doubt. Ian Morris (back) returns. Ryan Swan (cruciate) remains sidelined.

“Limerick have, along with Bray Wanderers, been in the news for the wrong reasons so you have to admire the way Tommy and his players have focused on football and have picked up some impressive results since we last met.

“We will be doing our utmost to come out on top following Sunday’s defeat in Dundalk.

“Limerick have a 48-hour advantage on us in terms of recovery but we have prepared well this week and everyone is looking forward to the challenge.”

Bohs bounced back from an uninspiring 3-0 defeat against Sligo Rovers three weeks ago with a thumping 6-0 defeat of Bray a fortnight ago.

Not many gave the Gypsies a chance when they travelled to Oriel Park last Sunday. They lost the game 2-0 for the Lilywhites’ 11th league victory in a row but Long was pleased with his team’s efforts.

He said: “The performance in Dundalk was good. The lads worked extremely hard against the division’s top side.

“We were arguably the better side for the first 30 minutes. We played some good attacking football and matched Dundalk in every area.

“We created chances, which we didn’t take. When you’re in the ascendancy, you need to capitalise which we didn’t.

“Unfortunately we conceded a goal from a corner and what looked to me a dubious enough penalty in the second half.

“But to their credit, the players never stopped trying and we almost got back in the game with 10 minutes remaining when Keith Ward hit the foot of the post and then saw another effort cleared off the line.”

TEAM NEWS

Striker Ryan Masterson comes into the squad having been signed last week.

Skipper Derek Pender is available for selection after serving his two-match ban.

He will vie for a place at right-back with Andy Lyons, who turned 18 yesterday, impressing in his absence.

Rob Cornwall (hamstring), a late withdrawal against Dundalk, remains a doubt.

Ryan Swan (cruciate) remains out.

Another notable absentee from the squad will be Paddy Kavanagh, who has left the club by mutual consent after four and a half years with the club.

Long added: “Paddy Kavanagh has this week left the club and I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Paddy for all his efforts during my tenure at Dalymount.

“Paddy is a great guy and was a key member of the squad very popular amongst the players and staff alike. We wish him well for the future.”

The Gypsies come into this buoyed by last week’s 6-0 drubbing of Bray Wanderers – Bohs’ biggest league win in 17 years when they beat UCD by the same scoreline.

It was the perfect response having slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Sligo Rovers a week previously.

Long said: “We played really well and should have scored more.

“It was an excellent performance. I saw Bray last night and Cork in some ways laboured to a 3-1 victory so we can be very pleased with how we fared.

“There is still a lot to play for this season. If we can perform to the level we performed last week, then we we can feel confident.

“If we play like we did two weeks ago against Sligo, then we’ll make things difficult for ourselves.

“We need to find that level of consistency, which has been our problem this year.

“But we’re going from playing the division’s bottom side to playing one of if not the division’s top side.

“Dundalk have no real weaknesses. They’re very strong and very committed throughout their team.”

While Daniel Kelly grabbed the headlines last week with two goals against his former club in his first start for Bohs, Long was keen to praise the efforts of debutant Andy Lyons.

Lyons, who turns 18 on Thursday, deputised in place of suspended captain Derek Pender and gave an accomplished performance at right-back.

Long added: “Andy came from St Joseph’s through to captaining our U17s and U19s. He has done very well for us.

“He’s been in and around the first team for a while and with Derek suspended, we felt it was the right game to give him his chance.

“Obviously tomorrow’s game is a different level of opposition and will be a real test but he can be pleased with how he did last week.”

TEAM NEWS

Derek Pender (suspended) and Ryan Swan (cruciate) are out. Eoghan Stokes (knee) – a late withdrawal last week – is available for selection.

Striker Ryan Masterson signed for the club yesterday but his registration has not come through in time for him to feature tomorrow.

“We get good crowds who create a good atmosphere and the players enjoy playing in Dalymount.

“But I feel we seem to enjoy the tag of underdog a lot better than being favourites.

“There is more of an onus on us at home, which brings that expectation. But we have to be able to deal with this.

“Expectation is part of the game and we must show character and resolve now to answer our critics. I can think of nothing better than starting with a win at home to Bray.”

Tonight’s opponents have had a well-documented tumultuous past month.

Three weeks without pay has seen players leave and and a strike notice served, while manager Martin Russell quit late last night.

That strike notice is on hold for now after wages were finally paid yesterday and Long expects a fight from the division’s bottom side.

He said: “Bray players won’t let a change in manager affect them. They will be motivated and positive going into this game.

“Their players have been through the mill over recent weeks with the well-documented events taking place at the club regarding unpaid wages.

“The lads don’t seek or want this type of media attention – they are footballers and that’s what they want to do play football.

“They should not have to go on strike as a mechanism to get paid. Clubs need to be accountable and contracts need to be honoured.

“On the pitch, they haven’t let it get to them though so we have to be ready.

“They have have beaten Sligo in their last league outing and considering our last home game resulted in us losing 3-0 here, this game takes on even greater significance for us.

“We need to go out and show what we’re made of.”

TEAM NEWS

Derek Pender is suspended after being shown a straight red card against Sligo Rovers last week. As a result, Andy Lyons is promoted from the U19s as cover.

Goalkeeper Colin McCabe (shoulder) and striker Ryan Swan (cruciate) remain out.

Midfielder Philly Gannon has left the club by mutual consent with Long adding: “I’d like to thank Philly for his 18 months at the club.

“He’s worked hard but he’s at the stage where he needs and wants to be playing first-team football. We wish him all the best for the future.”