That win made it five wins from their last six games – losing only to Dundalk – and having kept five clean sheets while scoring 24 goals in the process.

Long said: “I thought we were very good down in Galway, my only complaint was we could have scored more.

“The application of the players was spot on. Galway were a different proposition to what we’re used to. They defended deep and that allowed us a lot of possession.

“We created a lot of chances – we hit the crossbar, missed a penalty – so we were pleased with the performance overall.

“We were all delighted to progress. It’s obviously a competition we all want to do well in. But that’s last week, it’s in the past, we’ve another game to try win now.”

Long has strengthened his squad ahead of the trip north with the addition of Robbie McCourt.

The 20-year-old, a product of St Kevin’s, joins the club having spent the last three years with West Brom.

Long said: “Robbie’s a very good footballer. He can play centre-back and at left-back but I’ve brought him to the club primarily believing he can operate as a defensive midfielder for us.

“He’s a very talented player and was much sought-after when he was at St Kevin’s before going to West Brom.

“It’ll obviously take time for a player coming home from England to adapt to first-team football, players can find that transition more difficult than they had anticipated.

“But obviously we hope he clicks quickly – we don’t have as many games as you would like for a player to kick in.

“He’s great prospect and wants to do well. He’s a local lad too, from Glasnevin. He’s a technical player, very good on the ball and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Another recent addition to the squad, Ryan Masterson, made his first-team debut as a late substitute in last Friday’s game in Galway.

Long added: “Ryan has pace and power. He gives us something different in attack.

“Again he’s joined up with us at a time of season where you’re running out of games to impress but he’s been excellent in training and has given us something to think about.”

TEAM NEWS

Cristian Magerusan (hamstring) is ruled out. Ryan Swan (cruciate) remains out.

Long said: “The upturn in our form is no coincidence. We’ve been able to plan and recover properly playing games Friday-Friday as opposed to earlier in the season when we were playing Friday-Monday-Friday.

“Being able to plan for games consistently is very important and it’s played a big part in our results.

“We’ve been on a good run recently but tomorrow is a very important game for the club and it’s important we maintain those standards if we want to progress in the cup.”

The high tempo and energy-sapping nature of the Dublin Derby has at times in recent years seen Bohs struggle to reach the same heights in subsequent games but Long is confident this week’s recovery and preparations will ensure that the Gypsies will be well-primed.

He said: “I don’t think that’s going to be a factor for us.

“We were up in Derry on a Monday after the last time beating Rovers whereas this time we’ve recovered well on the Saturday and got back into our normal training schedule for the week.

“We had to win for our own reasons last week too – it wasn’t just because it was a derby. We wanted to put some distance between ourselves and the play-off spot and we managed to do so.

“Everyone was obviously in good spirits in training this week but everyone knows last week is in the past now. Tomorrow is a different game and a very important one.”

Bohs notched up a stunning 7-0 win in the last round in Ferrycarrig Park but before that game Long warned that “we can’t go looking ahead dreaming of a cup run without overcoming Wexford first.”

And Long and his troops will travel to Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow in very much the same frame of mind – First Division sides Drogheda United and Longford Town claiming the scalps of Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers respectively in the previous round a timely reminder to proceed with caution.

Long said: “If you take things for granted in a cup competition, you can very quickly find yourself out of it.

“Galway United is a club geared towards being a Premier Division club. They have some excellent players, excellent facilities and an excellent pitch.

“They will have been happy with a home draw so we will be going down there taking absolutely nothing for granted.

“Anything can happen in a one-off cup game. The onus is on us to go down there and impose our game-plan on Galway.

“They’ll have a big support behind them but I think we will too.

“This is a competition everyone at the club wants to do well in and know they’ll be right behind us down there. We’re looking forward to it.”

TEAM NEWS

Kevin Devaney (septum) misses out. Rob Cornwall (hamstring) returns. Ryan Swan (cruciate) remains sidelined.

“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.”