Bohs’ latest victory was a scrappy 1-0 win away to Drogheda United last Saturday.

Long said: “We didn’t play particularly well, but we got the result.

“They lads dug it out and we will need that grit and determination to get results throughout the season.

“But our first-half performance wasn’t where we wanted it to be.

“We improved in the second half, created a few chances, but Shane Supple did very well to keep it at 0-0 early in the second half.”

The winner came from a swooping header from Dan Byrne after an excellently-placed free-kick from Lorcan Fitzgerald.

For Byrne, a lifetime fan, it was a special moment as he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate with his son.

Long said “Dan’s been great. He’s in great shape, both mentally and physically.

“I believe he will continue to improve as a player as the season progresses.

“It’s early days but there is great potential in the partnership at the back between him and Rob Cornwall.

“I’ve been delighted with Rob also. He’s come into the club and gone about his business in a quiet and professional manner.”

The victory also saw 16-year-old Steven Nolan make his first-team debut for the club, albeit for the last few moments of injury-time.

Long said: “As a club, we want and need players progressing through to the first team from the Under-17s and Under-19s.

“Steven’s done really well for our Under-17s last season and was promoted to Graham Lawlor’s Under-19s this year.

“He’s someone who looks like he can make the step up and he’s adapted to every challenge so far.”

Bohs host a St Pat’s side who brought their stumbling start to the season to an end with a Dublin derby victory last Saturday.

With just one point from their opening five games, Liam Buckley’s men got off the mark with a morale-boosting 2-1 win against Shamrock Rovers.

Long added: “Pat’s have some excellent players, results were going to come.

“But we have to concentrate on ourselves. Our performance needs to be better than it was in Drogheda.

“We are at home, hopefully we can have another big crowd.

“The fans have given the players a big lift both at home and away so far this year and we hope that will continue.”

TEAM NEWS

Ian Morris (knee) and Derek Pender (groin) are doubts, while Dinny Corcoran (knee) remains out.

Long-term absentees Izzy Akinade (recovering from surgery to have his spleen removed) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remain out.

Long said: “Seven points from three games was a good return, but three games in eight days took their toll on the players.

“I think that showed in our performance last Friday. After two very good wins, we looked a little bit laboured against Galway and we didn’t do enough to get the victory.”

Corcoran’s absence puts another strain on a squad that is already missing long-term absentees Eoin Wearen (cruciate) and Ismahil Akinade (surgery to remove spleen).

Long said: “It’s far from ideal being without Dinny. We are very stretched in that position already and to lose Dinny, particularly in the form that he’s in, is a big blow.

“But we have players who can play up front like Kaleem Simon and Jamie Doyle. It’s an opportunity for others to come into the team and make the jersey their own.”

After two defeats at the start of the season to Derry City and Shamrock Rovers, Bohs have been buoyed with two wins and a draw from their last three outings.

But continuing that form will be tough against one of the most experienced management teams in the league and a squad that contains six former Bohemians.

Long added: “Drogheda is a difficult place to go. I’ve enormous respect for Pete Mahon and John Gill and the work they’ve done.

“They’ve been around the league for a long time and have a huge amount of experience.

“They came to watch us last Friday, so they’ll have a plan for us and we will have to be ready for that.”

TEAM NEWS

Dinny Corcoran (knee) and Dean Casey (calf) miss out, which sees Stephen Nolan promoted to the matchday squad from the Under-19s.

Derek Pender (hamstring) and Georgie Poynton (bug), who were both enforced substitutions against Galway United, are available for selection.

Long-term absentees Izzy Akinade (recovering from surgery to have his spleen removed) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remain out.

“It was a quick turnaround playing Friday and then again on Monday. That tested us a bit, we’d a few tired bodies.

“But, over the course of both games, the lads showed all of the qualities that we are going to need throughout this season.

“They worked extremely hard from start to finish to earn those results.”

The victory at Markets Field also saw Bohs keep their first clean sheet of the season having shipped eight goals in their opening three games.

Bohs’ negative goal difference is what sees them currently occupying seventh position in the table instead of fifth, so Long was encouraged to see his team stem the tide at the back.

He said: “It was obviously our best defensive performance so far.

“Shane Supple is a top keeper and pulled off some great saves but there was great unity between the performances of everyone in the back five.”

Against Galway, Bohs face a side who have picked up just one point from their opening four games.

But Long remains wary of the threat posed by Shane Keegan’s men.

He added: “Galway are a full-time outfit with a full-time manager.

“They know they need to start picking up points soon but it’s up to us to make sure they don’t do so here against us.

“We’ll be right at it. We won’t have to guard against complacency after two wins.

“Everyone in this league is capable of taking points off each other so we all know there can’t be any complacency this season.”

TEAM NEWS

Ian Morris, who was forced off on Monday night with an ankle injury, is a doubt.

Long-term absentees Izzy Akinade (recovering from surgery to have his spleen removed) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remain out.

“We were the better of the sides in the first half, so to go 2-0 behind in the blink of an eye, it would have been easy to throw in the towel.

“But the lads stuck at it and never gave up, which was really pleasing.

“It’s early in the season but it was still very important that we got up and running after two defeats. Bray had won their opening two games so it was a significant win for us.

“It’s important we build on it now.”

Goalscorers Corcoran and Ward are in their third and second spells with the club respectively and both are on the right road to reestablishing themselves as fans’ favourites once again.

Long said: “I was delighted for Dinny and Wardy. Three excellent goals. Wardy did very well for us in that No 10 role. He showed great composure on the ball and it was great finish.”

Newly-promoted Limerick present a fresh challenge for Long’s men. The Shannonsiders kicked off their season with a 5-1 thumping of Sligo and, while their second game against Derry City was abandoned due to floodlight failure, Martin Russell’s men really put it up to champions Dundalk in their 1-0 defeat at Oriel Park on Friday.

Long added: “We want to build on Friday’s result now but we know Limerick are another quality team. They’ve invested a significant amount of money in building a good squad, so it’s going to be another tought game for us.

“But we’re going down confident now after Friday’s performance.”

TEAM NEWS

Dan Byrne (ankle) returned to action ahead of schedule on Friday night and it is hoped he will be okay to continue.

Long-term absentees Izzy Akinade (recovering from surgery to have his spleen removed) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remain sidelined.

“Bray had a strong second half of the season last year when Harry Kenny came in and they’ve continued that form into this season.

“They’ve invested heavily and will be aiming to break into the top four so it’s going to be another tricky game.

“But we have to concentrate on ourselves and our own performance. It’s important we start to pick up points.”

Long has seen enough from the opening two games to be confident his side’s fortunes will improve.

He said: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We are only two games in and we’ve played two of the best teams in the league.

“We showed in patches against both Derry and Rovers what we are capable of but we need to keep that up for 90 minutes.

“We know where we need to work on and improve. We’ve been our own worst enemy at times.

“But I don’t believe there’s been that much in the two games so far. We haven’t been carved up.

“It’s individual mistakes that have cost us, but we’re not that far away.”

It would be easy for heads to drop, but Long insists the squad remain confident and buoyed by the support they have received so far.

Long added: “The fans have been terrific. Against Derry, Bohs fans aren’t used to losing by that kind of scoreline – especially at home – but they still backed us right up to full-time and after the game.

“Bohs fans are fair. We all want results but they know the players are giving it everything and the supporters are all getting behind them.

“It was the same in Tallaght. We brought a huge crowd out there and they backed us throughout.

“We want to see those numbers out again and we will be striving to get our season up and running to send them home happy.”

TEAM NEWS

Long has bolstered his squad with the re-signing of right-back Dylan Hayes, who is expected to go straight into the matchday squad.

Dan Byrne and Dinny Corcoran were both forced off with injuries at half-time against Shamrock Rovers last week.

Byrne (ankle) will miss out but it is hoped Corcoran (back) will be fit to start.

Long-term absentees Izzy Akinade (recovering from surgery to have his spleen removed) and Eoin Wearen (cruciate) remain sidelined.