Manager Keith Long is demanding an improved performance as Bohemians aim to climb up the table once more.

Long’s side welcome Derry City to Dalymount Park looking to get back to winning ways after successive defeats to Dundalk and Finn Harps.

Prior to that, Bohs were in good form having picked up 10 points from their previous four games.

That run, coupled with the manner of their unlucky 1-0 defeat against Dundalk two weeks ago, described by Long as Bohs’ “best 90-minute performance of the season,” gave them every reason to go up to Ballybofey last week confident of getting a result.

A win would have put Bohs eight points ahead of Harps and put some distance between them and the relegation zone.

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FINN HARPS v BOHEMIANS
SSE Airtricity League
Friday July 14th, Finn Park, 8pm

After delivering what Keith Long believes was their best 90-minute performance of the season, Bohemians are determined standards will not drop against Finn Harps tomorrow.

Eighth-placed Harps host seventh-placed Bohs at Finn Park with just five points separating the sides.

Having amassed 10 points from their previous four games, a confident Bohs came unstuck against champions Dundalk eight days ago.

An 89th-minute suckerpunch was all that separated the sides as the Lilywhites made it five wins in a row.

But Bohs earned much praise for their performance and will have been disappointed not to have earned at least a point for their efforts.

Manager Long said: “We had shown in patches in other games what we are capable of but I think that’s the best we’ve played over 90 minutes all season.

“We have to keep searching for that level of performance. The challenge for us now is to replicate that.”

Harps, another team battling for survival, present a different challenge.

Long added: “Finn Harps are obviously in and around us at the moment, so it’s an important game for both teams.

“We cannot afford to let our performance levels drop.

“Harps are a very resilient and determined team. They pick up results and are very effective, so we have to be ready for them.

“Our drive and determination is going to have to match theirs.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohs welcome back Dan Byrne and Oscar Brennan from suspension.

Georgie Poynton, who sat out the Dundalk game due to the terms of his loan arrangement, also returns.

New recruits Ciaran O’Connor (on loan from Dundalk) and Keith Dalton (signed from Dundalk) will go straight into the matchday squad after playing in Saturday’s friendly against FC United of Manchester.

It is hoped that former Sunderland defender Dan Casey, who signed on Tuesday, will also feature in the squad should international clearance come through in time. He also featured against FC United as a trialist.

Bohs will, however, be without skipper Derek Pender (hamstring) and fellow defender Warren O’Hora (illness).

Meanwhile, Jamie Doyle and Kaleem Simon have left the club by mutual consent, while fellow winger Dean Casey has joined Cabinteely until the end of the season to gain first-team experience.

BOHEMIANS v DUNDALK
Wednesday July 5th, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

Keith Long has told Bohemians to relish the challenge of taking on the standard-setters of Irish football tonight.

Three-in-a-row champions Dundalk come to Dalymount after winning their last four games in a row, scoring 15 goals and conceding none in the process.

But Long is bullish. His side are unbeaten in four too with 10 points from a possible 12.

He said: “This is an opportunity to go head-to-head with the reigning champions. They’re a team who have set the standard for domestic football in recent years.

“Dundalk will feel they are hitting top form as they enter into their European campaig and we will have to be at our very best to get something from the game.

“It is a great opportunity for our boys to test themselves against a top side and it’s a challenge that I believe we are ready for as we come into the game with a good run of recent results.”

Bohs will, however, be without Dan Byrne and Oscar Brennan through suspension.

Ciaran O’Connor, who joined Bohs yesterday until the end of the season, and Georgie Poynton are also unavailable under the terms of their loan agreements from Dundalk.

But Rob Cornwall (hip) returns from injury and could line up at the back alongside promising defender Warren O’Hora, who made his league debut off the bench against St Patrick’s Athletic last month and made his first league start in the victory against Sligo Rovers last time out.

Long said: “It will be extremely difficult without Dano, Oscar and George. But Rob coming back is a big bonus. We feel there is healthy competition for places across the squad.

“The players have been really good showing great desire and hunger on the training ground, working extremely hard to improve individually and collectively.

“I believe we are now seeing the benefits of that in our performances.

“We have done okay so far this season against teams the are in and around us in the table, so the challenge for us tonight is to see how far we have come as a group and to get up against Dundalk, test our opponents, test ourselves, test our skill levels and to have a go.”

The arrival of striker O’Connor further strengthens Long’s squad following the additions of Stephen Donnelly and Keith Dalton.

Long hopes to further strengthen his squad in the coming weeks, something that would not have been achievable were it not for the support of members and fans for the Player Fund.

He added: “I would once again reiterate our appreciation of your efforts as supporters to help us raise funds to bring in some new players and to try and make the squad stronger in the July transfer window.”

​BOHEMIANS v SLIGO ROVERS
Friday June 23 2017, 7.45pm, Dalymount Park

Keith Long hopes last week’s Dublin derby victory has whetted the appetite for challenges ahead – for players and supporters alike.

The first game back after the mid-season break, Bohemians were trailing 1-0 at half-time against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park after a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

But, roared on by a passionate away support, Long’s men stormed back with a confident second-half performance to win 3-1.

That result leaves Bohs in seventh place, seven points off the European places but also six points off the relegation zone.

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​ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC v BOHEMIANS
Friday June 16th 2017, Richmond Park, 7.45pm

Bohemians go into tomorrow’s Dublin derby determined to hit the ground running after the mid-season break.

Just five points separate the sides with Bohs currently seventh on 20 points and St Pat’s second from bottom on 15.

In an extremely congested table, the Gypsies are seven points off fourth place but also six points off the bottom.

Bohs manager Keith Long is keen to get points on the board to ensure the Gypsies are looking up the table rather than over their shoulders.

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