“But we’ve two 2-0 wins and two clean sheets for Stephen McGuinness in his first two games for the club so I’m pleased.”

McGuinness is one of several new players tasting first-team football at Bohs for the first time.

His chance to impress came sooner than expected after being drafted into the team following a foot injury suffered by regular first-choice keeper James Talbot against Shamrock Rovers a fortnight ago.

Having a strong pool of players available and ready to slot in when required will be key for Bohs’ attempts to consolidate last year’s third-place finish. Various injury crises over the course of last season saw the Gypsies falter on occasion but there is a feeling that there is greater strength in depth this time around.

Long said: “It’s still very early in the season, we’re only three games in. But we’re going to again have a disproportionate amount of games in the first half of the season so we need to use our squad and be able to call on players who are capable of stepping in.

“We’ve seen Kris Twardek come in and do very well for us so far in the games he’s played and opened his account for us on Monday. Stephen McGuinness has come in and kept two clean sheets.

“Glen McAuley gives us different options up front too. He’s a different kind of player to Dinny Corcoran or Andre Wright. He’s worked very hard over the last two games and his efforts probably deserved a goal.

“We’ve got good competition for places in various positions. Anto Breslin played the first two games and did very well at left-back but Paddy Kirk came in on Monday night and was excellent, so you’ve two good players going head to head for the one position and pushing each other.”

The Gypsies were unbeaten in four league games against Declan Devine’s Candystripes last season, winning one and drawing three, but there wasn’t a whole lot between the teams and just three points separated Bohs in third and Derry in fourth in the final league standings.

Long is expecting another close encounter tonight against a side who lost their opening game of the season 1-0 to champions Dundalk before needing a late equaliser to secure a point against rivals Finn Harps last week.

Long said: “The Brandywell is a great stadium to play in so we are looking forward to it. There has been very little between the sides last year.

“They’ve lost some players but they’ve brought in new faces too, some we’re familiar with, some less so.

“They have the advantage going into this game of having not played on Monday, so they’ll have been able to prepare well and will be fresh whereas we still have people recovering.

“They acquitted themselves well against Dundalk, despite losing. We know it will always be difficult against them and they’ll be looking for three points.”

Long hopes Bohs’ bid to get a result at the Ryan McBride Stadium will once again be assisted by a vocal travelling support encouraging them from the off. An away support of 450 did just that last week against Waterford.

He added: “Every time we go to the Brandywell, we tend to bring a good crowd with us. It’s really important to have that backing behind us.

“It was huge for us last season and most memorably in the cup the season before.

“It might be a cliche but it’s true that a big travelling support after a long journey really gives the lads a big lift.

“They walk out on to the pitch and they get to see what it means to the people who travel around the country and get behind us.

“We brought a massive support down to Waterford last week in horrendous conditions and that was significant to our players.”

TEAM NEWS

Dinny Corcoran (groin), James Finnerty (calf) and James Talbot (ankle) remain doubtful.

Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) is out for the season.

It was a cruel exit for a team that had lost just once in 20 games in the Northern Elite Division, which they topped by nine points.

But tomorrow’s Enda McGuill Cup final offers salvation.

Sexton said: “We spoke to the players. We want them to have a reward for their efforts this season.

“We feel they deserve it for all the work they’ve put in over the course of the year and the level of performance they have delivered so consistently.

“They deserve to have something to show for that but they will really have to work for it. It won’t come easily.

“For some of them, this will be their last game for the club at U19s level so we want them to finish up on a high. The perfect way to do that would be to beat Rovers in a Dublin derby at Dalymount to win a trophy.”

Sexton hopes a big home support can help his side over the line tomorrow as his players continue to get used to big occasions at Dalymount Park.

He said: “It’s another big one for the players.

“Some of them have experienced big occasions now with the club through the first team already – the likes of Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy – as well as the Uefa Youth League games this year and last.

“They need to embrace occasions like this and familiarise themselves with them as it’s an important part of their development as players.”

Bohs exited the the Uefa Youth League game by the narrowest of margins nine days ago after losing 1-0 to PAOK in Greece, 2-1 on aggregate.

They were left kicking themselves for not taking their chances in the first leg but Sexton believes the experience is one his players will treasure, adding: “We were disappointed not to progress but we can look back with pride on what was a really positive experience for the players.

“We should have won the first game but the way they played against some of the top young players in Europe will stand to them.”

Please note the the club section of the FAI National Draw will be held in the Members’ Bar after the game.

Jack Moylan put Bohs ahead after just six minutes but Antonis Gaitanidis hit back four minutes later.

The Gypsies dominated possession and worked the opposition keeper throughout. But Christos Tallchmanidis was a man possessed in the PAOK goal.

As well as denying a Dawson Devoy spot kick, he pulled off a rake of stunning saves, particularly in the dying embers of the game as Bohs piled on the pressure.

Sexton said: “We played very well, but we hope to improve on our first-leg performance by being a little bit more clinical. With the chances we had in that game, we probably could and should be coming over here with a lead.

“But we’re not, so we there’s no doubt in our minds as to what we have to do over here.

“We can’t sit back. We have to score or we’re out. PAOK have the away goal so we know the objective here is to go out and play and try to score.”

Sexton’s travelling party has been bolstered by the inclusion for this leg of Andy Lyons, who has enjoyed a real breakthrough season in the first team, deputising with a maturity beyond his years when called upon to fill in for skipper Derek Pender at right-back.

He, along with skipper Alex Byrne, Seán Bohan, Ross Tierney, Thomas Considine and Mitchell Byrne, is one of six players to have been involved in last season’s Uefa Youth League ties against FC Midtjylland of Denmark, which Bohs lost 4-2 on aggregate.

It is an altogether new experience for the group of which Evan Ferguson, who turned 15 last week, is the youngest.

Sexton said: “Travelling abroad, staying in hotels, playing in big stadiums, this is new for a lot of them but they’ve settled in well.

“We got to see the stadium yesterday. It’s great venue. A big, old wraparound stadium, 30,000 all-seater, so it will something most of them will be experiencing for the very first time.

“But the mood in the camp is great. They’re relaxed, fully grasp the challenge that is ahead of them and are looking forward to it.”

While this is an altogether new experience for most of them, many of Sexton’s squad have of late been gaining much experience on other fronts.

Ross Tierney in action in the first leg - Sportsfile

Lyons, who starred at the U19 European Championships this summer, is by some stretch the most experienced of the group.

But the likes of Ross Tierney, Dawson Devoy and Ferguson have sampled first-team football in the league, while others like Seán Bohan, Alex Byrne and Mitchell Byrne have been involved with first-team matchdays squads as well.

Tierney, a St Kevin’s Boy since he was eight, in particular has caught the eye for the first team in recent months having shone throughout the Bohs-SKB partnerships teams and Bohs U19s previously.

He has taken the step-up his stride and has become something of a fans’ favourite in the process, while Devoy has had encouraging appearances in recent weeks also.

Both men have benefited from a freak run of injuries for Keith Long’s first team but have not looked out of place when called into action.

There has been international recognition too with Bohan, Tierney and Devoy all making their first appearances for Tom Mohan’s Ireland U19s in a friendly against Denmark last week.

Sexton said: “The likes of Ross and Dawson have been the lucky ones this year but they’ve rewarded the trust Keith Long has shown them. They’ve both made a huge impact, particularly Ross. I think Keith has probably found it hard to drop him!

“Ross is Ross. He’s an infectious character on and off the pitch. He’s not a bawler on the pitch, he lets his football do the talking. He leads by the way he plays.

“If there’s a mould of the kind of player we want to bring through, Ross is it.

“You’re hoping experiences like this year and last can stand to these players if and when they make the step-up to the first team.

“Ultimately that’s my job and the job of all the managers and coaches down through the Bohs-SKB U17s, U15s and U13s is to get the best out of players and get them ready to be funnelled into Keith’s first team or beyond.

“Keith drives all of that – throughout the set-ups. We’re lucky we have a first-team manager who will give youth a chance and isn’t afraid to back them.

“That’s yielded great results this season and hopefully we’ll have more given that opportunity next season. That’s what this is all about.”

Kirk said: “There’s a lot of expectation tonight but we’re really looking forward to it. The manager has reminded us and hammered home to us that we will get nothing handed to us, that we have to work for it.

“At the start of the season some were tipping us to be involved in a relegation battle but as a group we felt we had a lot of talented players and felt we could aim high.

“We would love to get over the line tonight but it will be a tough game. We’ve prepared like we would any game and we feel we’ve done our homework and we know how good St Pat’s can be.

“There’s nowhere else you would like to be than playing in Europe for Bohs in Dalymount next year but we have to work for it.”

Kirk has has to be patient this season to get a chance in the team but has enjoyed an extended run of late thanks to an injury suffered by regular left-back Darragh Leahy while on international duty for the Ireland U21s last month.

Kirk said: “I’m delighted to get a run of games. You always want to test yourself by playing every week.

“Obviously you want to play as many games as you can. But I’m not the only one who has had to bide my time. You look at Scott Allardice, he’s had to wait for his turn too and has come in and has done really well.

“But that’s why we’ve got such a competitive squad. We’re all pushing one another and thankfully my chance has come at the business end of the season.”

Danny Grant and Paddy Kirk celebrate - Stephen Burke

Having captained and starred for the Bohs U19s, 21-year-old Kirk is another success story of the quality of young players coming through the club in recent seasons.

His brother Rory is part of the coaching team with the Bohs-SKB U15s so he is a keen supporter of the pathway structures now in place.

He added: “I guess the likes of myself, Andy Lyons, Danny Grant and Ryan Graydon can be held up as an example of the pathway that is there now.

“There’s great work going on and great players coming through the club and through the link-up with St Kevin’s from U13, U15, U15 and through to the U19s and first team. It all bodes well for the future of both clubs.”

TEAM NEWS

Danny Mandroiu misses out through suspension. He received an additional one-match ban for his red card against Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup last month but this was not served against Dundalk last week as he was on international duty with the Ireland U21s.

Rob Cornwall (knee) will sit out the rest of the season after coming off against Dundalk and Darragh Leahy (ankle) will also miss the final two games.

There was better news elsewhere though with Keith Buckley (hamstring), Andy Lyons (knee) and Conor Levingston (groin) all returning to training this week.

Better news still for long-term absentees Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) and Dinny Corcoran (ankle). Magerusan is back to full training. Corcoran has resumed training but time is against him to feature again this season.

With a squad ravaged by injury and devoid of any luck in recent months, Bohs were entitled to feel we were due that bit of good fortune.

Long said: “We got a little bit of luck in terms of the goal but I felt we managed the second half quite well and James Talbot in goal was not overly tested.

“With so many injuries, the squad is really stretched but the lads continue to stand up and fight.

“The emergence of some of our younger players has been a real plus and while at this time of the year it’s all about results, the performances of the young lads have been fantastic which gives you great hope.

“We are a young, vibrant team and if we can continue to grow together who’s to say what we can’t achieve?”

The strength in depth of Bohs’ squad will be put to the test once more when runaway champions Dundalk come to Dalymount Park tonight.

Long said: “I admire Vinny Perth and his management team for what they have achieved this season.

“Stephen Kenny moving into the Irish international set-up left a void at the club, one that was quickly filled by Vinny who had worked in tandem with Stephen for many years and gained invaluable experience.

“Dundalk are clearly the best team in the land with many talented players operating in a culture rich, player-driven environment.”

As Long mentioned, his team are once again missing some of this season’s star performers.

Danny Mandroiu is away on international duty with Ireland U21s, while Keith Buckley (hamstring) and Conor Levingston (groin) are serious doubts once again.

Full-backs Darragh Leahy (ankle) and Andy Lyons (knee) are out alongside long-term absentees Dinny Corcoran (ankle) and Cristian Magerusan (cruciate).

Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney have been excused from the Ireland U19s’ game against Denmark tonight and will instead link up with Tom Mohan’s side ahead of Monday’s friendly against the same opposition.

Mandroiu’s absence is all the more frustrating given that the fact he is away on international duty with the Ireland U21s this week means that his one-game additional ban for his red card against Shamrock Rovers will now not be served until next week’s Dublin derby away to St Patrick’s Athletic.

That frustration was perhaps compounded further by the fact he remained on the bench for the Ireland U21s’ 0-0 draw with Italy last night.

Long added: “The FAI rulebook continues to be a source of frustration. Danny should serve his additional suspension tonight but because he is deemed ineligible due to his involvement with the Ireland U21s, this suspension rolls over into next week. This is a ludicrous situation.

“We are effectively being punished for having players involved in international set-ups. In the case of Danny, he came back from the last U21 squad injured and missed three games before returning to play against Rovers.

“He served his automatic game on Friday last v Cork and will now miss tonight’s game and next week’s game v Pats, meaning he misses three games instead of two.

“This is not correct or fair on clubs who put a heavy emphasis on youth development. It is in fact anti-development. If we are serious about moving forward with a new FAI, the rulebook is a good place to start. It needs to updated and modernised so it is fit for purpose and doesn’t punish clubs that are doing their business correctly.”