CALLAGHAN: WE CAN’T REPEAT ERRORS THAT COST US

PREVIEW: BOHEMIANS v DERRY CITY (Friday April 5th, KO7.05pm)

Bohemians host No. 2 in the league Derry City just a week after welcoming leaders Sligo Rovers. But they come to Friday’s televised encounter after bouncing back from defeat to Sligo Rovers with a good win over Shelbourne.

Manager Aaron Callaghan was very pleased with the performance against Shels, particularly with the contribution of more experienced players, Derek Pender, Dave Mulcahy and Stephen Paisley, the last-named playing his first full game of the league campaign against his former club.

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“Their experience counted when Shelbourne had us pinned back for 20 minutes in the second half,” said Callaghan.

In his first league start for Bohemians Ciaran Nangle (pictured) did “really well, he brought a bit of balance to the team on the left side, and he showed calmness”, according to the manager.

Victory over Shelbourne moved Bohemians out of a group at the bottom of the table and“it was vital to get those three points”, Callaghan noted.

Derry will present formidable opposition, having scored seven goals in their last three games, while conceding none.

“They will be coming to us full of confidence. They have had a good start to the season. We have to make sure our preparation is right and we have to concentrate on our own performance, and make sure we don’t make those errors that cost us against Sligo”, said Callaghan.

Against Shelbourne, a couple of players who were starting regularly were rested, and one or two of those may come in again against Derry.

Michael Barker has joined the injury list with an ankle injury from training. Owen Heary (knee) and Chris Lyons (ankle) remain out.

Callaghan has sought to keep the whole squad tuned up with friendlies, like a short game played on Wednesday at the IT Blanchardstown complex. He has arranged another friendly against Irish Universities for the 11-day period between Friday’s game and the trip to Limerick on 16th April.

BOHS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK

PREVIEW: SHELBOURNE v BOHEMIANS (Easter Monday, Tolka Park, 7pm)

Bohemians meet north Dublin rivals Shelbourne on Easter Monday when both teams will be determined to come back from heavy defeats on Friday.

Manager Aaron Callaghan found some encouragement from aspects of his team’s performance against league-leaders Sligo Rovers and his counterpart Ian Baraclough acknowledged their 3-0 win was “not a drubbing”.

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“For long periods of the game I thought we played well, and moved the ball well,” said Callaghan. “The early goal was a kick in the teeth but we responded well and we were back in the game for 25 minutes after that. But we didn’t pass and move it as quickly as we would like and we’ve got to work on that.”

That work begins immediately with Monday’s clash with Shelbourne who have, according to Callaghan, been “performing well, but losing by a goal here or there, rather like us at the start of last season”.

The Bohemian manager fully expects Shelbourne to improve.

“They have a lot of experience through the side with players like Glenn Cronin, Paul Crowley, Graham Gartland and Philly Hughes. But then, every team in this league has the potential to turn over any other.”

Bohs and Shels had exactly the same satisfactory result, a scoreless draw, in their recent matches against Shamrock Rovers, suggesting they may be more closely matched than the league points indicate.

In last season’s encounters, the sides won one match each, both away from home, and drew the third match at Dalymount.

Bohemian goalkeeper Dean Delany and defender Stephen Paisley will be making a quick return to Tolka Park after signing from Shelbourne in the off-season. Paisley made his Bohemian debut on Friday as a half-time substitute for Owen Heary.

Heary, a long-serving and inspirational leader at both clubs, will miss this north Dublin derby due to a knee injury which caused that substitution. Chris Lyons remains out for Bohemians with an ankle injury.

CALLAGHAN: CALL-OFF COST US MOMENTUM

PREVIEW: BOHEMIANS v SLIGO ROVERS (Good Friday, Dalymount Park, 7.05pm)

(Please note early kick-off time)

Bohemians welcome league champions Sligo Rovers determined to recover the confidence they felt after their last game 11 days ago.

Last weekend’s late calling-off of the St Patrick’s Athletic game may have cost his team “a bit of momentum”, according to manager Aaron Callaghan.

“The lads put in a good performance against Shamrock Rovers and a good result against Pats would have moved us right up the table,” Callaghan said.

“It’s disappointing when you’re preparing for a game and it’s called off at the last minute, but we can’t control things like that.”

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Bohemians will show the table-toppers the respect they deserve but Callaghan takes confidence from two close games against Sligo last season, including a scoreless draw at Dalymount.

“Sligo have had a great run in the league and they have had a good Setanta Cup so far but we’re looking for a result from Friday’s game.

“The level of consistency Sligo have maintained is very good. They are able to compete for the best players and they have bought well. They took Evan [McMillan] from us, a really good player, and I was surprised that others didn’t get him.”

For Bohemians, Chris Lyons remains out with an ankle injury from the Shamrock Rovers game that may be more serious than first thought. Shane Fitzgerald has returned to training after an ankle injury.

With newly-signed Stephen Paisley now fully fit, Callaghan has to consider what role he may have, given that the defence with Owen Heary in the centre has proven effective.

But the availability of the experienced Paisley and of Dave Mulcahy is a fillip as Bohemians face Shelbourne next Monday. Callaghan may be calling on more of his squad over the next few days.

BANK HOLIDAY BLOCKBUSTER

BOHEMIANS v SHAMROCK ROVERS (Dalymount Park, Monday March 18th, 2pm)

Following a disappointing second half reversal against Cork City on Friday, Bohemians will need no motivation to bounce back as they take on fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers in a Bank Holiday Blockbuster in Dalymount Park on Monday, writes KEVIN FAGAN.

All St Patrick’s Day goodwill will go out the window as another chapter is written in the Airtricity League’s most intense rivalry.

Despite the defeat, Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan was pleased with his side’s performance on the banks of the River Lee, where Owen Heary’s header just before the interval was cancelled out by two second-half strikes.

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“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.

THERE’S LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

PREVIEW: CORK CITY V BOHEMIANS (Friday March 15th, Turner’s Cross, KO 7.45pm)

Bohemians face a challenging trip to Cork City for their first away assignment in this season’s Airtricity League Premier Division, writes KEVIN FAGAN.

Having lost out after extra-time to UCD in the Leinster Senior Cup last month, the Gypsies came out on top in the two key games of an exhausting Dalymount trilogy against College – winning 2-1 in the league on Friday and 3-2 after extra-time in the EA Sports Cup on Monday.

And Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan is delighted to be preparing for a game against someone other than the Belfield outfit!

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“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.

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