Bohemians manager Ken Kiernan says his players are still on a high after the reception they received at last month’s historic game against Palestine.

Now they are hoping for another packed crowd for tomorrow’s Dublin Derby at Dalymount Park when they host Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.

Last month’s international solidarity friendly saw the sold-out signs go up for the first time for a Bohemians women’s fixture.

Kiernan says the importance of the occasion will live long in the memory of his players, whose focus has now turned to redoubling their efforts to climb back up the league table.

He said: “All of our players recognise the gravity of the situation in Gaza, the historical significance of the game and the importance of the reception that the Palestinian players got when they came.

“The whole occasion meant a lot to our players – it was huge for everyone associated with the club. The run-up to the game and the game itself really set something off, and really captured the imagination of people.

“There were people all over the world talking about the game and, for our players, it was the first time that they had an opportunity to play in front of a sold-out Dalymount, which was brilliant for them.

“You could see after the game how they were buzzing, how they thrived on the reception of the crowd and on what it all meant to the Palestinian players. We were proud to be part of that.

“There was already a great sense of pride in this team pulling on that jersey but the reception the players have had since the Palestine game has brought that sense of pride to another level. They have really felt the love for the club that is out there.

“That buzz has continued since – tomorrow is our first game back in Dalymount since and we have been inundated with well wishes in the community.

“It is important to have that connection. Our players are real ambassadors in the community. They are in with different age groups in schools every week and it is important that young children, in particular young girls, have female sportspeople to look up to and to learn from, and that our players know that this club means something to them.

“Our players are fast-becoming role models for these children – they talk about their set-backs, and their determination to succeed. It’s important for the children but it’s just as important for our players.”

Tomorrow, Kiernan is hoping to harness that positive energy as his side go in search of victory against the club’s biggest rivals.

Shamrock Rovers entered the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division last year for the first time and finished third in their debut season.

Seven games into the 2024 season, Rovers are still in search of their first victory but Kiernan knows it will be a tough game.

He added: We all know the significance of this game. Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers is the biggest rivalry in Irish football.

“Rovers are a good side. I went to their last game against Galway United. They lost the game 1-0 but they went toe-to-toe with the team that is top of the league.

“For our part, our last few performances have been good and we are improving. I expect a very energetic game and, given the playing styles of both teams, I think there will be lots of chances so we will need to defend well.

“We have prepared very well for the game, and have worked on where we think we can exploit Rovers and where we need to work hard defensively. It’s been a very positive few weeks and we want to build on that now.”

Alan Reynolds wants Bohemians to build on a positive fortnight when they travel to take on his hometown club Waterford this evening.

Bohs followed up a 3-0 win away to Sligo Rovers two weeks ago with a last-minute equaliser from Danny Grant to draw 2-2 with St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday.

Reynolds was disappointed to see his side behind in that game in the first place – mistakes at the back costing Bohs dear in an otherwise encouraging performance.

He said: “We are really looking forward to this game. We’ve had an encouraging couple of weeks but we know we need to keep that going now

“We had a very good win down in Sligo and I felt we had a good performance against St Pat’s too.

“We shouldn’t have been behind in the first place, and we were disappointed that we were, but the pleasing aspect of it was that we never gave up.

“They had worked hard in training all week and didn’t want to come away empty-handed and I think that showed in how we kept pushing and pushing to get an equaliser.

“I was delighted for Danny to get the goal. You could see it meant a lot to him. He’s chomping at the bit to play and to get a chance. Hopefully this can spur him on now to have a strong second half of the season.”

Tonight’s trip to the RSC poses another big test for Bohs. It is Reynolds’ first game away to his former club since taking the reins at Dalymount Park at the end of March.

Waterford is a club he played for and managed and, most recently, served as assistant manager to Keith Long.

Waterford came out on top of a 1-0 scoreline when the sides met in Dalymount at the beginning of April but that was only Reynolds’ third game in charge and he feels his side are in better shape now.

He added: “Waterford are a very good side. I obviously know a lot about them, and helped to sign a good few of them too!

“But for us it is about focusing on our own performance. We still have a lot of work to do and improvements to make but I think we are further down the road to where we want to be than when we last played Waterford.

“A lot of work has gone into training this week, it will be a very different game to our last couple of games, but the lads are well prepared and looking forward to it.”

Team news

James Clarke returns from suspension but James McManus (foot) joins Brian McManus (ankle), Keith Buckley (knee) and Rob Cornwall (knee) on the sidelines.

Luke Matheson, Jordan Flores and Dayle Rooney, who all saw their gametime against St Pat’s curtailed with knocks, are available for selection.

Alan Reynolds wants to see Dalymount Park rocking once more when Bohemians host St Patrick’s Athletic in another big Dublin derby on Friday night.

Bohs come into the game after a comprehensive 3-0 victory away to Sligo Rovers thanks to goals from James Clarke, Boubacar Keita and Dayle Rooney.

That was Bohs’ biggest win since Reynolds took charge at the end of March, their biggest league win since the final game of last season and their biggest league win away from home since April 2022.

Rooney was the star of the show, setting up the opening two goals before helping himself to the third, but is set to miss out on Friday’s game through injury while Clarke, who claimed his opener last week just 90 seconds into the game, is suspended.

Reynolds said: “We are missing a few for this one which is a blow for such a big game. Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall are obviously long-term ones and Brian McManus will be out for another month or so.

“But we’re without Dayle Rooney for this one now too which is a blow because he was involved in all three goals last week and is a big threat for us.

“Jordan Flores, who has been such an important player for us this season, is still out as is Luke Matheson, and James Clarke is suspended, so we are down a lot of bodies for such a big game.”

With that in mind, Reynolds is acutely aware how hard his side will have to work to get a result but believes the absentee list provides an opportunity for others to step up and show what they are made of.

Reynolds: “When you have players missing there is added pressure on players who come in to step up. We had that last week. With Bucko, Rob and Jordan all out last week, it was the first time Paddy Kirk captained the side.

“That was a big moment for him having come through and captained the U19s at Bohs, so I was very pleased with how he stepped up and that we got the win with him as captain. We need to see that level of commitment from everyone who gets an opportunity to play.”

Despite only taking charge at Inchicore last week, former Ireland and Bohemians manager Stephen Kenny has already had two games under his belt.

Both have ended in defeat but St Pat’s will have been kicking themselves not to have taken something out of Monday’s game against league leaders Shelbourne, who scored in the sixth minute of injury-time to claim a 2-1 victory at Richmond Park.

Reynolds said: “St Pat’s are a good side. Much like Bohs, they haven’t had the start they wanted this season but it is a very close and congested league table, and there is a lot more football to play.

“Stephen is barely there a week, and wouldn’t have had a lot of time to work with the team until this week but he will have learnt a lot from his team over their past two games.

“Pat’s are a good side. They finished third last year and won the FAI Cup and you don’t become a bad team overnight.

“They have quality players who can hurt any team in this league so we will need to be at our very best to get a result against them.”

Reynolds is hoping though that fans in Dalymount can replicate the vocal levels of support his side received in the Showgrounds last week.

He added: “The support we had down in Sligo was brilliant, and that’s what we will need again for a game like this against a team as good as St Pat’s.

“We have seen in games this season that when the crowd is behind us, our players are spurred on by that.

“Our players know that there is an onus on them to perform at home but we all have our jobs to do, and we need our fans to be loud and on our side right from the start.”

Team news

Bohemians are without the injured Jordan Flores, Dayle Rooney, Luke Matheson, Brian McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley. James Clarke is suspended.

Alan Reynolds has told his players to focus on performances and the results will come.

Bohemians travel to the Showgrounds this evening to take on Sligo Rovers on the back of two 1-0 defeats last week, to Galway United on Monday and Derry City on Friday.

Reynolds was bitterly disappointed by his side’s performance at home to Galway, but noted a marked improvement despite coming home empty-handed from their trip to the Brandywell.

Reynolds said: “It was a much better performance. I’ve told the players that that’s what we need to focus on. We need to keep on improving our performances and I believe if we continue to work hard on that, then results will come.

“We’ve had a very positive week in training, and are working hard to right the wrongs in our performances. I can’t fault their effort.

“We need to be more clinical in front of goal. Obviously we hit the crossbar and James Akintunde had a great opportunity. He was unlucky, but he has scored some very important goals before and is an important player for us.”

Reynolds says his side will be up against it to get back to winning ways, adding: “Sligo are a good team with a very good young manager. They’re solid, particularly when playing at home, so we know we will have to be at our very best.”

Team news

Paddy Kirk returns from suspension but Jordan Flores will sit this one out. Bohemians continue to be without long-term absentees Brian McManus, Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall.

Alan Reynolds says his side have looked back to learn from their mistakes but are focused on looking forward.

Bohemians make the trip to the Ryan McBride Stadium to face Derry City tonight having slipped back to fifth place with a 1-0 defeat to a dogged Galway United side at Dalymount Park on Monday evening.

Having given as good as they got in the 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers at the same venue just three nights previously, Reynolds was left frustrated by the defeat and performance against the Tribesmen.

He said: “We were very disappointed as a group with our performance on Monday against Galway after giving a good account of ourselves against Shamrock Rovers.

“We’ve looked back and reviewed the game extensively. The desire wasn’t there from the group and we have got to be so much better than that performance. There is no shying away from that. It just wasn’t good enough.”

Reynolds is demanding a response from his players on Foyleside this evening.

He said: “We know that this group is capable of good performances and good results. We showed it against Shamrock Rovers last Friday, we showed it last month when we beat Shelbourne in Tolka Park, and the players showed it when they beat Derry City before I came in.

“But the desire has to be there in every game we play. We have looked back and reflected on our performances but we have to look forward as a group too.

“We have trained really well all week. Stevie O’Donnell coming in as assistant manager, and the knowledge he brings to training, has given the players another big lift. We are working hard and determined to improve.

“We know a lot about Derry but they know a lot about us too. The team got a good win against them in Dalymount before I came in but it is always a tough game for any team in the Brandywell.”

Team news

Paddy Kirk is suspended, and Brian McManus is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle ligament injury last week against Shamrock Rovers.

Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall remain out.