“I thought it was a good performance overall, obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted. The intensity they came out with in the second half we couldn’t cope with it.

“We conceded two sloppy goals, I think their second one was a bit lucky with someone miscontrolling it. But we got back into the game in the last 15 to 20 minutes, so I was delighted with the performance individually and collectively.”

Coming off back-to-back wins in games against Shamrock Rovers last season, Callaghan knows that there is more than just three points on offer against the Hoops.

He said: “It’s not just a game – it’s a big Dublin Derby against our biggest rivals. Last year we were set up quite well for those games but we definitely need to perform at our best to get a result.

“I think last year is history to be honest. They’ve strengthened, they have a new manager and a new set of players. They’ve started the season well so it’s a good test for us – but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

The Gypsies boss knows that he won’t need to fire his players up for this one. Callaghan said: “They know the importance of the game for themselves first of all, but also for the fans. They need to make sure they put in a performance individually, and then collectively I think we’ll be good.”

Callaghan praised the effect of a raucous Jodi Stand support in the 4-0 win against Rovers last season. He expects a big crowd again this time around, and the Bank Holiday kick-off should make for a fantastic atmosphere.

He added: “I think there’s going to be a really good crowd. The fact we moved it forward and that they’ve started well, I think there could be four or five thousand at it, and I know our fans will come out in force.”

Bohs will be without midfielder Dave Mulcahy, who is still struggling with an ankle injury, while centre-back Stephen Paisley and midfielder/forward Kevin Devaney are doubts through illness. Bar that trio, Callaghan expects his squad to be at full strength for the big game.

“Three games in 15 days against UCD is a bit much – but we came out on top in two of them, which is the main thing.

“I wasn’t overly pleased with the performance in the league game but the second-half performance in the cup game was probably our best performance to date, culminating in us getting a last-minute goal and bringing it to extra-time.”

Callaghan was also pleased with the fact that he could afford to change nine players from the starting line-up for the league victory and still progress in the EA Sports Cup with that thrilling extra-time winner from Chris Lyons.

He said: “For the squad, I was trying to get two players to compete for every position, and I think we’ve done that. When you can change eight or nine players and still get the result, it’s definitely pleasing for me.”

What will also please the Gypsies’ boss is the form of his attacking players. Out of the six goals scored against UCD over the three ties, five were from strikers and the other from the attack-minded Karl Moore (pictured). Firepower up front is a big priority for Callaghan this term. He said: “It’s an area that we’ve tried to improve on and hopefully that can continue”.

This weekend’s opponents Cork City have one of the most-changed squads in the league this term and Callaghan is expecting a tough fixture, adding: “They’ve spent wisely, brought in a lot of players. They have quite a decent budget down there by all accounts and we’re expecting nothing but a tough game. I watched their draw against Limerick and I think it was pretty even. We’re looking forward to it now.”

On the injury front, Bohemians have a few doubts for the trip. As well as a few players carrying knocks from Monday, Stephen Paisley has been ill over the past few days, Kevin Devaney is nursing a knock on his ankle and Dave Scully has a back strain. Those three will be assessed at training tonight before Callaghan decides who to bring on the trip down South.

“The lads are hungry. Their attitude in training has been fantastic and we hope that will manifest itself in match performances. There’s a desire there to do well and I believe we can win a trophy.”

The manager is not fazed by last month’s extra-time defeat to UCD in the Leinster Senior Cup.

“There was nothing between the teams. They play a similar game to us and their fitness levels are high. But the line-up of both sides will look very different on Friday from what it was.”

Callaghan expects his counterpart Martin Russell to make “five or six” changes for Friday and he himself could be making as many EIGHT changes.

The manager is delighted to have retained 15 of last year’s squad, as the slow start in 2012 was at least partly down to players learning new approaches.

“The fact that we kept so many, and who can help new players coming in, is very good from our point of view.”

Callaghan also believes he has a squad with cover for all positions, and thus competition for starting places. However, he already has a fairly clear idea what his best 11 might look like but “nobody can rest on their laurels, they need to keep their standards high”.

The pre-season schedule has taken a small toll on the players. Shane Fitzgerald (ankle), Kevin Devaney (ankle) and Kevin O’Leary (illness) are not available for Friday.

On Monday 11th March, Bohemians again host UCD at Dalymount Park in the EA Sports Cup (kick-off 7.45pm).

(Pic: UCD’s Michael Leahy and Bohs winger Keith Buckley at last week’s Airtricity League launch at the Aviva Stadium)

On one occasion, Harold Sloan, who scored in Bohs’ only IFA Cup final victory in 1908, planted a tree in recognition of the clubs’ friendship.

To further raise awareness for the work of Talk About It, Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports Ireland.

Setanta Sports commercial director Trevor Twamley said: “To demonstrate our support for this important charity event, which we will broadcast live to 1.2million homes, Setanta Sports has shifted AC Milan from Setanta Ireland to Setanta Sports 1 to make way for Westport United and Bohemians.”

Tickets (adults €10, children €5) for the match are available locally in Wesport from Downtown Records, Henry McGlade Music Store and the Mill Times Hotel.

As part of its fundraising drive Talk About It is also running a monster memorabilia at the Westport Woods Hotel on Sunday November 4.

The charity’s founder Joe McGuire said: “We have already started on this mammoth task and among those we have received are fully signed jerseys from the Irish national rugby squad and the Dublin Gaelic football team to whom we send out thanks.”

Both teams come to Friday’s clash from very good results last weekend. While Drogheda beat newly crowned champions Sligo Rovers 2-1, Bohemians put four past Bray Wanderers.

“We were on top even before they [Bray] had a man sent off. It was one of those games where you feel comfortable and you always feel you’re on top.

“Once we got the first goal I knew we were going to get a few more. Every player rose above their normal level.”

There has been very little between Bohemians and Drogheda in their three matches this season. An EA Sports Cup tie was decided on penalties after two hours of play produced a 1-1 draw.

It was 1-1 again in the league at Dalymount in May and a single Drogheda goal from a penalty settled a feisty encounter at Hunky Dorys Park in August.

Callaghan says his players appreciate the importance of a win on Friday. “Securing a place in the Setanta Cup will be no mean achievement. It’s fantastic to be playing for this, for the staff who put in such an effort, and for the players.”

Callaghan gave a debut last Friday to under-19 player Dylan Connolly who came on as substitute after 75 minutes. The manager may do something similar on Friday, as Bohemians look to a future based on a core of younger players.

But the manager’s options are also limited by injuries among the more experienced players. Injuries rule out Owen Heary (hamstring), Derek Pender (back) and Adam Martin (ankle), as well as Andy Mulligan (ankle), Luke Byrne (ankle) and Michael Barker (illness).

Bohemian fans have been urged to attend this season finale in large numbers to show their appreciation for the players’, managers’ and coaches’ efforts, while Callaghan acknowledged the “tremendous support from everyone involved.”

“We’ve had some highs and some lows but I think, in general, the fans understand the project and that we don’t have a lot of finance to compete with other clubs,” he said.

“They understand that we have had to play a lot of young players and that’s the way it is going to be for the foreseeable future.”