Having been glued to YouTube clips of Bohemians fans in full voice, new signing Steven Beattie knows how much it would mean to give them something to shout about again this season, writes FRANKIE LALLY.

The Skerries man, 25, is something of an unknown on these shores after spending the last six and a half years playing abroad. But this Gypsy is done travelling for now and says it feels good to be home – especially after joining up with Owen Heary’s side.

“I’m delighted, absolutely buzzing,” he explained. “Owen said to me three weeks ago that he wanted to sign me. I had an offer in Iceland and from another League of Ireland club but I’m happy here.

READ MORE

With ex-Bohemian boss Pat Fenlon hotly-tipped for the soon-to-be vacated manager’s job at Linfield, KEVIN BRANNIGAN examines the role ‘Nutsy’ and other players from the Republic had in the history of one of Loyalism’s footballing bastions.

It’s early November 1993 and the newspapers on both sides of the border are filled with fear. The two Irelands are set to come head to head in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Belfast’s Windsor Park, with the Republic needing a positive result to qualify for USA ’94.

READ  MORE

After a bittersweet first taste of Premier Division football last year, new recruit Jack Memery is hungry to prove himself and is relishing the prospect of calling Dalymount ‘home’ this season, writes CILLIAN SHIELDS.

Left-back Memery watched on from the sidelines as his Shelbourne team-mates suffered relegation in 2013, but he feels he is ready to establish himself in the top tier and is confident that with Owen Heary’s fresh blend of youth and experience, Bohemians can their sights a lot higher this season.

Memery, 20, said: “After seeing the lads Owen has signed and having trained with the team for a few weeks now, I think it’s going to be a very big year for Bohs.

“Owen’s retained most of the squad from last year and added in a few more experienced players with a lot of quality. I think we’ll be out of the relegation fight for starters and I think we’ll be able to push on and do very well.”

READ MORE

Jason Byrne hopes he will be in tears again when the time comes for him to leave Bohemians for a second time, writes FRANKIE LALLY.

Byrne began his first spell with the Gypsies in 2008 and picked up back-to-back league titles as well as winning the FAI Cup, EA Sports Cup and Setanta Sports Cup in his three seasons with the club.

He played – and scored – in his final game for the Gypsies in a 3-1 win over Dundalk at Dalymount Park in October 2010 and was visibly emotional as he walked off the pitch at the final whistle.

READ MORE

Bohemians go into a new year with a new team working on the club’s longer-term development, writes BRIAN TRENCH.

Former directors Daniel Lambert and Chris Brien aim to develop key relationships in business and in the community, while also drafting a strategic plan that will be proposed for adoption later this year.

“The directors have until very recently had to put almost all of their effort into the club’s survival, week-to-week, even day-to-day. We have not been able to address medium-term and longer-term strategy.

“Now that the club’s financial position has been stabilised, we can get on with that task,” said Lambert.

READ MORE