“Derek Pender as captain and Shane Supple as vice-captain, they were two players I wanted to tie down as they drive the culture we’re trying to create at this club.

“They lead by example and we hope that by tying them down already, others will follow suit.

“We re-signed some of our younger players in August too. The fans’ player fund mid-season allowed us to do that and bring in the likes of Dan Casey who has a very bright future.

“For that, we are extremely grateful. It is a testament to the backing we’ve had from our supporters this season and we really want to give them a send-off tomorrow.”

Last week’s stunning 1-0 victory away to Dundalk secured a top-half finish for a team bookies at the start of the season had tipped to be relegated.

And a win against Finn Harps tomorrow coupled with a Bray Wanderers defeat away to Cork City would see Bohs finish as high as fifth.

Long said: “It hasn’t always been plain sailing. We’ve had our ups and downs but overall it’s been a rewarding season.

“We were looking over our shoulders at various stages but we always felt that we had enough in the dressing room to be safe.

“There are three full-time teams below us fighting for survival on the last day – they would all love to be in our position right now.

“Players and staff have worked extremely hard and put in extra hours and extra training to make sure we could first of all survive and then finish as high up the table as possible.

“The backroom staff have been excellent – from Trevor Croly right down. It’s been a collective effort from everyone at the club.

“Pound for pound, the players have done extremely well. They deserve an enormous amount of credit for their efforts.”

Against already-relegated Harps, Bohs are facing one of their bogey teams in recent seasons.

Long added: “We’ve found them difficult opponents. They are a very well-organised team.

“I commiserate with Ollie Horgan on their relegation, but I feel their absence from the division will be a short-term one.”

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Supple (knee) is set to miss a league game for the first time this season. Colin McCabe, signed as back-up in August following his release from Celtic, is likely to make debut in his place.

Dylan Hayes (foot) is also set to sit this one out, while Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall and Keith Ward are all suspended.

Warren O’Hora (hamstring) will return, while Eoin Wearen (cruciate) is likely to get first run-out of the year having returned to matchday squad v Dundalk last week.

The 0-0 draw was enough to ensure that the Leesiders did not clinch the title at Dalymount Park but the Gypsies felt they were perhaps unlucky not to claim all three points.

Long said: “We were excellent in the second half and created a lot of chances.

“I don’t think there would have been any arguments had we gone on to win the game.

“But Dundalk present a fresh challenge. They’ve been champions the previous three years for a reason.

“Players they brought in at the start of the season have settled in now and they’ve been putting teams to the sword lately – they have the best front five in the country.

“We have to be ready for them.”

Bohs’ absentee list has made that challenge all the more difficult but has, however, provided an opportunity for stars of the club’s U19 team to make the step up to the first-team squad.

Eoghan Morgan, Jamie Hamilton and Andy Lyons did just that against Cork last week and took their place on the bench.

Graham Lawlor’s Bohemians U19s topped the Northern Elite Division and last night beat Limerick 2-1 in the league quarter-finals to set up a last-four tie against Sligo Rovers at Dalymount this Sunday.

And Long in keen to reward and nurture Bohs’ rising stars with involvement in the first team.

He said: “We’re missing bodies so it’s an opportunity for them. We had the three lads on the bench last week and they will travel with us again tomorrow.

“There are others in Graham’s team in our thoughts too. The likes of Ryan Graydon, Cian McMullen and John Ross Wilson, they are all on our radar.”

Another man who will be relishing travelling with the first team tomorrow night is Eoin Wearen.

The midfielder, 25, ruptured his cruciate in pre-season and has been on the long road to recovery ever since.

Tomorrow will be the first time he has been included in a matchday squad this year and Long has backed the former West Ham man to bounce back stronger than ever.

He added: “This set-back has matured Eoin. He’s been top class.

“He’s volunteered to do opposition scouting reports for us and his analysis has been excellent.

“Being out for that length of time isn’t easy, but his attitude around the place has been superb.

“He’s been training hard and he is in the best shape I’ve seen him. He will come back a better player.”

Bohs on the other hand are looking looking to consolidate their position in sixth and if possible to climb further up the table.

Long knows his side will be up against it once more, but they are looking forward to embracing the challenge.

Long said: “It’s a great game to be involved in. There’s a lot of expectation on Cork City.

“But we’ve shown we can beat them already this season – we were the first team to do so.

“We will have to be at our very best again but we’ve nothing to fear from them.

“Cork have their job to do, we have ours. Our players have pride in the jersey – pride in playing for Bohs – and will want to win.”

A bumper crowd is expected as Cork City look to lift the league trophy for the first time since 2005.

Long said: “That’s what players want – to play on big occasions in front of large crowds.

“Cork have nearly sold out their allocation for the Des Kelly Stand and we hope our fans will do likewise in the Jodi Stand.

“We would love a full Jodi Stand and our fans behind us like they have been all year.”

Having lost just once in their previous seven league games, Long was disappointed to see his side go down 1-0 away to Sligo Rovers last Saturday.

Having fallen behind in the ninth minute through Vinny Faherty, Bohs’ efforts were made all the more difficult 15 minutes later when Keith Ward was shown a straight red card.

Long added: “We had a difficult night in Sligo. We conceded early and were down to ten men.

“We had two good chances to get back into the game in the second half but we didn’t take them.

“Our performance wasn’t up to the standards we’d set in previous weeks. It wasn’t down to lack of effort, but we didn’t click on the night.

“We want to get back to winning ways now and finish as high up the table as we can.

TEAM NEWS

Bohs must plan without Lorcan Fitzgerald (knee) and Warren O’Hora, who aggravated a hamstring problem while on international duty with the Ireland Under-19s.

Both defenders could miss the rest of the season.

Ward (ban) misses out but Paddy Kavanagh return from suspension.

Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remains sidelined.

Bohs’ last run-out saw them come out 3-2 winners in an enthralling Dublin derby against St Patrick’s Athletic at Dalymount Park a fortnight ago.

Long said: “We played some really good stuff. We played with a lot of purpose and our attacking play was excellent.”

Last month, Long challenged his team to be more clinical in front of goal and they responded with seven goals in two games.

That hasn’t gone unnoticed with play-maker Keith Ward, who hit a hat-trick in the 4-1 win against Drogheda United three weeks ago, nominated for the September SWAI/SSE Airtricity Player of the Month Award.

He said: “The front four have been excellent. Izzy Akinade caused St Pat’s endless amount of problems.

“Dinny Corcoran has been excellent all year – I can’t praise him enough. His finishing has been outstanding all season.

“Keith has been in great form too and he deserves the recognition of being nominated for Player of the Month.

“We will really miss Paddy Kavanagh through suspension tomorrow, he’s been in good form for us lately too.”

Another man sitting this one out is Warren O’Hora as the Cabra man is in Waterford on international duty with the Ireland Under-19s.

But Long is happy to see a product of Bohs’ Under-17 and Under-19 teams get the recognition he deserves.

Having made his first-team debut off the bench against St Patrick’s Athletic in July, the 18-year-old has earned great plaudits for his confident performances ever since.

Long said: “Warren’s accomplished a lot since he’s come into the team.

“He’s assured and has a level of mentality beyond his years, especially in such a key position.

“There aren’t many 18-year-olds playing as a regular centre-half in the Premier Division but he’s taken it in his stride.”

While the Bohs’ current position and recent attacking flair belies pre-season predictions, tomorrow’s opposition will feel they have under-performed this season as find themselves in the relegation zone.

Long added: “They’re another team fighting for their lives. We know we’ve work to do.

“We have to be organised and ready for them.”

TEAM NEWS

Warren O’Hora (international duty), Paddy Kavanagh (suspension), Lorcan Fitzgerald (knee) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) all miss out.

Oscar Brennan comes back into the reckoning having been suspended for the St Pat’s game.

He said: “We’re not safe yet, despite what some may say.

“We still need points and we want to finish the season as strongly as possible.

“The complexion of the league table will change again tomorrow night.

“It’s up to us to look after our own result and our own performance to make sure we don’t get dragged down.”

A big crowd is expected for Bohs’ final Dublin derby of the season.

St Pat’s came away with the bragging rights from their last trip to Dalymount Park after a comprehensive 4-0 win in March.

But Bohs got revenge with a 3-1 victory at Richmond Park in June.

Long said: “It’s a big game, a good game to be involved in.

“They’re going to come here looking to win and so are we.

“It should be a good spectacle.”

Before last week’s trip to United Park, Long challenged his team to be more ruthless in front of goal having come up short in their previous league outing against Galway United, which ended 1-1.

They did just that with Keith Ward claiming a hat-trick against the division’s bottom side, while Dinny Corcoran added the icing on the cake with a sublime long-range effort.

Long added: “Wardy was on fire and Dinny’s goal was top notch.

“We asked the players to be more clinical and to deliver a 90-minute performance and they did.

“It’s not an easy place to go to, despite Drogheda’s position in the table.

“But it’s a different proposition tomorrow and we have to deliver another good performance.”

TEAM NEWS

Oscar Brennan (suspended) and Dylan Hayes (hip) will sit this one out alongside Eoin Wearen (cruciate).