“We’re going into the game against Derry with an outside chance of getting into Europe, and most fair-minded people would have accepted that [for Bohemians] at the start of the season. Still, doing OK is not good enough for a club like Bohemians and we want to continue to improve. “

Derry are just one place, but 15 points, behind Bohemians in the league table. They have strengthened their side since the summer and are on a good run.

“Anyone who thinks we are going up to Derry for an easy game is mistaken,” said Long. “We beat them 4-2 in Dalymount in one of the strangest games of the year. After we scored four goals in ten minutes Derry dominated the game.

“They are in flying form and they have secured their Premier Division status. So, they will play with an element of freedom,” said Long.

“I expect a good game. I expect both teams to go for it, and the players to go out and express themselves. But it will be a difficult game. It’s never easy up in Derry.”

Bohemians go there unbeaten in six league games and having kept a clean sheet in the last two. “From a defensive point of view we can’t ask for more,” said Long. “Dean [Delany] has been consistent, as he has been throughout the season, and he has pulled off important saves at critical times.

“In the absence of Lorcan Fitzgerald, Derek Prendergast and Stephen Best in the back four, Dave Mulcahy has had to slot back in there alongside Anto Murphy and these guys have huge experience, and they have been excellent.”

For Friday, Derek Prendergast and James O’Brien return from injury but Lorcan Fitzgerald remains out and Roberto Lopes is suspended. Stephen Best is recovering but he is unlikely to be available this weekend, though he may return for the final game of the season.

“Our lads don’t need any extra motivation at this point. They want to get a win on Saturday. We have to make sure we’re ready and our lads will embrace that challenge.”

Sligo Rovers are 19 points behind Bohemians but manager Mickey Adams has steadied the ship and in the ten league games since they were beaten 1-0 in Dalymount Park, Sligo have accumulated just one point less than Bohemians.

“Sligo is a tough place to go. They have a squad full of quality and they have three games to maintain their Premier Division status. They will set about doing that on Saturday,” said Long.

“They will see this home fixture as one they absolutely have to win and we have to go up there and make sure we are ready for everything they throw at us.”

Paddy Kavanagh and Jason Caffrey return for selection, having been ill last week, but defenders Stephen Best (thigh), Derek Prendergast (calf) and now Lorcan Fitzgerald (groin) are all likely to miss out. Midfielder James O’Brien (ankle) has returned to training and may be available.

The additional training session on Friday will be an opportunity to confirm the fitness of the players fighting to recover. But even with possibly three first-choice defenders missing, Long is unlikely to risk starting Dan Byrne, who returned to action last week.

Byrne came on as a late sub against St Patrick’s, making only his second appearance this season after a long lay-off and an interrupted recovery. “We hope to give Dan more game-time this season but we have to be careful and not overload him. He is dedicated to getting himself completely right for the next season,” said Long.
Up front, manager Long has widened his choices, giving 19-year-old Aaron Ashe a brief appearance off the bench last weekend. Ashe joined Bohemians at the start of the year and has been a regular goal-scorer for the under-19s, netting a hat-trick against Longford Town last month. He has been training with the first team for several months.

“He’s a young lad with a lot to learn but he works extremely hard at his game and we hope he can make the step up next season and continue to develop with us,” said Long.

“Since the summer break we have been a little bit easier to play against and we have to find again that steel and determination we had. If we do that, and play with a bit more fluidity there are goals in this team.”

Following last week’s Leinster Senior Cup semi-final, which Bohemians lost on penalties, they face “another tough game” against St Patrick’s.

As for displacing Pat’s from fourth place, “mathematically, it’s still possible, but they have a game in hand and it’s going to be very difficult,” said Long.

“All we can do is to try and win the game on Friday night, which won’t be easy, and take care of our own performances over the remaining four games.”

Long is again missing the injured James O’Brien (ankle), Derek Prendergast (calf), Stephen Best (thigh) and Jason Caffrey (illness). But Jake Kelly returns, having been cup-tied last weekend, and Anto Murphy, who was out for the last two league games, has done full training all week, and is available.

Stephen Best has publicly committed himself to Bohemians for next season, and manager Long is working on securing other key-pieces of the 2016 squad.

For the present, however, his main focus is on getting the most out of the rest of this year’s campaign. “We want to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can,” he said.

“In previous rounds we have been able to give younger players some game-time and that’s the way a lot of clubs would treat this competition. But it is a chance for silverware, and we’ll approach the game in the manner that we’ve done throughout the season and we’ll be going all-out to try and win the game.”

Bohemians have this season kept up their good record of recent years against Shamrock Rovers, with a win at home and a draw away in the league.

“But records and form count for nothing when the next game comes around. We will have to concentrate on getting our performance right on Friday. It’s a head-to-head and we’ll see who comes out on top,” said Long.

Dave Mulcahy returns from ankle injury and Keith Buckley from suspension. Jake Kelly is cup-tied and James O’Brien (ankle) is ruled out. Anto Murphy (groin) has been training but may not be fully fit. Stephen Best (quad strain) and Derek Prendergast (knock in training) are expected to be available.

Bohemians have won the Leinster Senior Cup 31 times, more than any other club. These wins stretch back to 1893-94, the second time the competition took place. Bohemians also won the cup in the five following years. They got to keep the trophy, which is displayed in Dalymount Park.

Bohs last won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1997-98. In this 125th anniversary year, a 32nd win would be especially welcome.

“We have a responsibility to ourselves and to the club to put in a performance every time we cross the line. The players have been reminded of that this week” said Long.

“We have to show respect for the league too. Every club below us is scrapping for points and we’ve got to make sure we’re fully committed in each game.”

Last Friday’s draw against Longford Town was a “missed opportunity”, according to Long. “With a full complement of players, we could have gone and won that game. It’s difficult to implement what you’re trying to do when you’re down to ten men and the momentum of the game changes.”

Bohemians’ work-rate and commitment in games have not weakened in any way, and midfielder Keith Buckley has set an example in that respect.

“He has become something of a legend in the club because of his travelling exploits [on bicycle] to and from Dalymount Park and I like how he has connected with the supporters,” said Long.

“He is very influential for us. His honesty and his work-rate are there for all to see. But I also want to see, as he develops, that the final pass becomes better.

“We’ve seen glimpses of that this season, like the pass he played against Shamrock Rovers in the build-up to our goal which he might not have played previously.

“But if we are looking for someone that epitomises the club at this time, we need look no further than Keith.”

The Bohemian manager was disappointed that the referee last Friday “put himself under pressure with soft yellow cards early in the game” but he was also disappointed that Buckley made a rash tackle when he was already on a yellow.

Buckley serves an automatic suspension this weekend. Anto Murphy is again sidelined with a groin injury along with James O’Brien who picked up a knock in training.

Dave Mulcahy is also doubtful having gone off with an ankle injury last week. Derek Pender and Marc Griffin, the long-term injured, remain out.

Dan Byrne returned to the matchday squad last week after nearly 18 months out of the game with a knee injury, apart from a very short interlude earlier this season. He has been in full training for three weeks, but is still building full strength and confidence to make him ready for a return.

“It has been very tough for Dan but I hope we’ll see him back in the team before the end of the season,” his manager said.