“WE’RE CAPABLE OF BEATING THEM”
July 10, 2014
BOHEMIANS v ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
SSE Airtricity League, Dalymount Park, Friday 11 July, 8pm
Bohemians welcome the league champions to Dalymount for a televised match (Setanta Ireland) following three wins in four competitive games, writes BRIAN TRENCH.
Those wins all came on the road but manager Owen Heary is confident his side’s home form will improve.
“Against Athlone here it was only a missed penalty between us and a win. We beat Pat’s here in the EA Cup and they had a decent team out that night [6 May].
“So, we know we’re capable of beating them, and we know we’ve just been a bit unlucky in terms of winning games in Dalymount.”
Even with Keith Fahey suspended, St Patrick’s will represent very formidable opposition, added Heary. “They have a massive squad, and not only a lot of players, but players of high calibre. They have a European game next week but they have the squad to cover both games.
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“We are coming into this one on a high and we will take the game to them. We’re not going to sit back and see what Pat’s have, because if you sit off them they will punish you.”
Heary was happy that Bohemians started last week’s game in Limerick at the level of intensity he wanted. They were unlucky to concede a goal against the run of play, from failing to deal with a long throw.
“We deserved the three points down there. We created most of the chances in the first half and in the second half we took two of the late chances. It was positive that we kept going till the 90 minutes. That win proved that the earlier one in the cup wasn’t a fluke,” said the Bohemian manager.
The win was secured despite Dinny Corcoran having a penalty saved for the second match in succession. Heary commended his striker for having the confidence to step up again, when the experience of the World Cup shows that the very best players can miss penalties.
“I wasn’t one for taking penalties and I have full respect for anyone that does. I didn’t see anyone else last week rushing to take the penalty.”
Stuart Taylor quit as Limerick manager in the days after that defeat, joining Ian Barraclough and Robbie Horgan among the recent managerial casualties. Clubs that are putting bigger investments into their facilities and squads have higher expectations, observed Heary.
“If you have a full-time squad like Limerick you expect to be doing a lot better than where they are at present. Drogheda too have put a lot of money in.
“That increases the pressure on the manager. Thankfully, I don’t think I’m under too much pressure of that kind.”
Eoin Wearen put in another solid performance last Friday in midfield, having impressed both there and in defence since he joined ten weeks ago. His first goal for Bohemians was just reward for his efforts, according to Heary.
The manager will reshuffle his midfield this week with captain Dave Mulcahy’s return from hamstring injury. Defender Aidan Price also comes back from ankle injury but left-back Jack Memery will have a late fitness test for a knock to the knee.
Heary will take the opportunity of friendlies against Dundee United (Saturday, 12 July, 3pm) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wednesday, 16 July, 7.45pm) to give ‘fringe’ players and some under-19s a test at higher levels.
Pic: Eoin Wearen in action against St Pat’s in the EA Sports Cup (Eddie Lennon, eddielennonsportingimages.com)
