SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Friday September 29 2023, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Tickets: tickets.bohemians.ie

Declan Devine feels Bohemians have left points behind them in recent weeks and says they need to show more of a cutting edge in front of goal.

Bohs host Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park tomorrow on the back of a 1-1 draw against Shelbourne at the same venue on Monday, having been held to a 0-0 stalemate away to Drogheda United last Friday.

Against Shels, Devine admits that his side put in a below-par performance in the first half, but were then left frustrated that large spells of dominance in the second half did not force a winner.

Devine said: “I was really disappointed at half-time, and I think the players were disappointed with themselves too.

“We started the first couple of minutes quite well, but our intensity just wasn’t at it. We can’t afford that, particularly at this stage of the season.

“We improved considerably in the second half. We had a lot of positive approach play, if you look at our stats in terms of shots and chances that we created, but we have got to be more ruthless.

“We’ve left points behind in our last two games because we have not been ruthless enough in front of goal during periods of dominance. We need to show a real cutting edge to put the ball in the back of the net when chances come our way.”

Bohs’ second-half resurgence was part-inspired by skipper Keith Buckley’s move back to midfield.

Devine said: “We signed Bucko as a midfield player and that is where I foresee him playing in the future. But with injuries, players leaving, and players coming in mid-season and trying to find their feet, we have played him at right-back, and he has done really well there.

“I was impressed with Bart Kukulowicz in the last couple of games, in the Leinster Senior Cup and when he came on against Shelbourne, so he is settling in now. Certainly at the business end of the season, you want your captain in midfield.

“I see Keith Buckley as an outstanding midfield player, and hopefully we can get him in there between now and the end of the year.”

Devine was also happy to see a star performance once more from Ali Coote, who netted Bohs’ equaliser in the 74th minute.

The Scotsman’s early-season form saw him named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for March but his influence in recent months has been disrupted by injury and the form of others.

Devine said: “Ali was outstanding in the second half on Monday. There are players who haven’t started games recently who are really pushing hard, and that’s what you want at this stage of the season.

“I’m delighted for Ali because his season has been disrupted by injury and niggles, ones that he has found hard to shake off. But we saw his quality again on Monday.

“As a group we know that if we are to achieve what we want to between now and the end of the season we will need our big players to play big parts. We have to have the mentality to do that.”

Devine is expecting another tough game against Sligo, a team who Bohs have beaten twice this season but lost to in the last meeting between the sides.

He added: “We are expecting another difficult ding-dong of a battle. I’ve watched Sligo’s wins against UCD and Derry City, and they were very good. They deserved to beat Derry but we have to concentrate on ourselves. We are at the business end of the season and we have to be at our very, very best in every game.

“We have to target wins in every game between now and the end of the season. There have been surprising results here, there and everywhere, even in recent weeks, so we have to take care of our own business.

“We have worked hard to put ourselves in a strong position. We cannot have any regrets at the end of this series of games.

“A lot of our performances have been good, but the requirement is to keep going for 95 minutes or however long we have on the pitch. We can’t leave anything behind.

“We have created a lot of chances in the last few weeks but we have to be ruthless in both boxes from start to finish. We know what we are capable of but we have to go out and show our quality.”

TEAM NEWS

Adam McDonnell (suspended) is Bohs’ only absentee.

A blustery Tallaght Stadium saw the Bohemian MU19s take on Dublin rivals, Shamrock Rovers, in an EA Sports LOI Academy League clash.

The Bohemian squad were looking to build on a week which saw Chris Lotefa and Jack McCormack score their first senior team goals for the club in a 5-0 Leinster Senior Cup Final triumph against Usher Celtic.

McCormack got the action underway and sought to put the home side under immediate pressure. O’Reilly created the first chance of the game within the first two minutes after dispossessing a loose Rovers pass and embarked on a great solo run before his effort pulled wide of the Rovers goal.

The early pressure and work-rate from Bohs was rewarded in the 7th minute when Bohemians scored the first of the game. Dean Williams won a free-kick in a dangerous position after being bundled over by the Rovers centre-half as he sought to control the ball. McCormack delivered a low-driven ball which the Rovers keeper spilled into his six-yard box before being rifled into the roof of the net by Nickson Okosun.

Bohs doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when Pharell Manuel picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch before a short-run opened the Rovers back-line; his first effort was deflected off a hooped shirt but found itself at the feet of Manuel again who calmly curled the ball beyond the Rovers keeper.

Rovers slowly grew into the game and began to create chances. An excellent Rovers cross, which looked destined to meet an arriving Rovers head, was intelligently intercepted by Louis Holzman.

Bohs were continuing to tirelessly pressure the Rovers backline in possession and making it extremely uncomfortable for Rovers to play out from the back with Okosun and O’Reilly forcing several Bohs corners.

Rovers managed to pull a goal back from the penalty spot in the 41st minute when Onesime Tembe was brought down by Jack McCormack just inside the area. Tembe converted the penalty after sending the Bohs #1, Collins, the wrong way.

The second half saw a rejuvenated and confident Rovers side determined to find an equaliser with Joseph Collins forced into a series of excellent early saves.

Rovers found the leveller in the 51st when a long-diagonal ball found space behind the Bohs backline. A foot race ensued between Bohs Joseph Collins and Rovers Tembe. The Bohs keeper was only able to throw himself at the ball which ricocheted off his body finding the feet of Cian Curtis who turned the ball into an open goal from the edge of the box.

Bohs were slow to grow into the second half and struggled to cope with the intensity of a resurgent Rovers. The Hoops completed their comeback in the 65th minute when Daniel Bergin met a low-driven cross which was slotted passed Collins.

Rovers continued to control the tempo of the game and pepper Collins’ goal. A series of substitutions by Bohs sought to inject some freshness into the game and they chased an equaliser.

The final ten minutes were a period of high Bohs pressure which saw Rovers forced to regularly clear their lines. Bohs’ best chance of the closing stages fell to the feet of Adetobi Jinadu who’s edge of the box effort fizzed over the Rovers bar.

Soon after, referee Jack White brought proceedings to a close as Bohemians fell to a 3-2 defeat to Shamrock Rovers.

Team-sheets

Bohemians: J Collins, F Cowper Gray, S McMahon, J McCormack, B Gilmore, N Okosun, J O’Reilly, P Manuel, D Williams, A Jinadu, L Holzman Substitutes: A Stuart Trainor, R Kane, A O’Brien, T Mooney, P Grogan, L Cailloce, A Guneyer, A Seruga, S Tracey.

Shamrock Rovers: T Letis, A Condron, C O’Sullivan, F Turley, C Lennox, Z Abada, C Curtis, J O’Sullivan, O Tembe, N Razi, N O’Kelly. Substitutes: E Jakas, D Avenbuan, D Bergin, O Jakas G Tetteh, K Dignam, A Corish.

At Bohemian Football Club, we believe in the power of football to be a force for good in society. We’re seeking a passionate individual to spearhead our Football Social Responsibility (FSR) initiatives. As the Head of Community, you will be the driving force behind our FSR strategy, championing causes close to our heart and aligning them with the club’s core values.

Your role will be multifaceted; from implementing the newly launched Football Social Responsibility Strategy to leading pioneering projects such as ‘Pride on the Pitch’ and ‘Football Works.’ With an eye on promoting diversity, anti-racism, inclusion, and education, you’ll also oversee our current social outreach programmes, making tangible impacts in our community.

Collaboration is key, as you’ll work alongside partnership bodies to amplify our programs, discover funding opportunities, and coordinate events that resonate with our mission. Your leadership will help to further our leadership on social responsibility in football.

• Download the full job description here.
• Applications: applications@bohemians.ie
• Please note: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is identified.

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Monday September 25 2023, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Tickets: tickets.bohemians.ie

Declan Devine says Bohemians must grasp every opportunity presented to them between now and the end of the season, and make their pace and power count when they host Shelbourne at Dalymount Park tomorrow.

Bohs were left frustrated on Friday night when they could not find a way past Drogheda United. They were held to a 0-0 draw in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division at Weavers Park having won 3-1 in the Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup at the same venue a week previously.

Devine says his side’s performance did not reach the heights of the display in the cup, and has challenged them to move up the gears against Shels at Dalymount.

Devine said: “It was always going to be a difficult game. We won four out of the four previous games against them this season but none of those were easy games.

“We prepared well for the game and had two or three really good opportunities, and their goalkeeper came away with man of the match, which tells its own story.

“We had opportunities to win the game and, bar one great opportunity they had, we were the dominant team. But having watched the game back, I think we had another couple of gears in us. We didn’t hit the heights we did up there the week before.

“You only have to look at the results over the past couple of weeks to see the nature of this league. For us, Friday could end up being a valuable point. It was really important we didn’t lose the game but we wanted to win it.”

Shels’ win against Cork City on Friday saw them overtake Bohs and move up to fourth in what is a congested top half of the table.

Devine said: “We are still in a position where we have four home games to go, two away, and are challenging for those European places.

“Monday is a big game, there is no doubt about it. It’s been a calendar month since we last played a league game in Dalymount. We have had Rockmount and Usher Celtic in the cups in the meantime, but the players are all really looking forward to having a league game at home.

“There’s very little between a lot of the teams pushing hard for Europe. We have to make sure we go and perform. The players have trained the last two days and are feeling fresh.

“It’s a big game, a derby with a lot riding on it. It’s a game every player wants to be involved in. At home with the big spaces we have in Dalymount and with the pace and power we have in this team, it suits us.

“We want to grasp every opportunity that is presented to us between now and the end of the season. We have two home games this week and we want to target two wins but we know we have to be at our absolute best to do that.

“Shels have strengthened with the additions they brought in during the summer but we are in a good place too with the players that are now back available to us. Everybody is back fit – Dean Williams got another game under his belt with the U19s against Rovers in Tallaght today.

“With three games in a week, we have got to use our squad and use our subs. We are able to make changes in games without weakening the team because we have a lot of talented boys available.

“I couldn’t be happier with the effort the players are giving us. It is our first year together, we are in the semi-final of the cup, and we are pushing hard in the league for a European place.

“But these are the games now in the business end of the season where we really have to be competitive, and showcase the style of play and qualities that we have – our pace, our power. I think we can be a real handful for anyone, especially at Dalymount Park with the crowd right behind us. It is up to us now to embrace that, give everything of ourselves to get maximum points.”

Despite a congested fixture list in recent weeks, Devine comes into this game with a full squad to choose from.

Dean Williams has benefited from run-outs in the Leinster Senior Cup final and for the U19s, while Paddy Kirk has overcome the ankle injury that saw him sit out the previous two games.

Devine also hopes to see more from the likes of James Akintunde – a key performer in Bohs’ blistering start to the season but who has endured a frustrating few months since.

Devine said: “Having worked with James for a number of seasons at Derry previous to bringing him here, I can say he has had a really unfortunate year with injuries. Not only has he picked up one or two injuries, he’s actually had three or four throughout the course of the year.

“He is a guy who gives everything of himself, and is otherwise in fantastic condition. But he has a stop-start season with the injuries he has picked up. I think over the coming weeks we will see the James we saw at the start of the season when he was really tearing it up.

“He is a fantastic player to have, and he is working incredibly hard in training. We will definitely see the best of him again.

“The same goes for other players. The likes of Dean Williams who was out for several months is coming back to fitness now at the right time, likewise Luke Dennison, so we have players who have missed out at various stages of the season back and who are now chomping at the bit to be involved.

“We had Ali Coote back in the team on Friday and he did really well. Kris Twardek, Declan McDaid and John O’Sullivan are pushing hard too. John has come on in recent games and has had positive impacts, and Paddy is back fit this week too.

“So it’s the business end of the season, injuries have cleared up, and everyone is gunning to have a really big push between now and the end of the year.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians have a full squad to choose from, with Paddy Kirk having recovered from an ankle injury.

A double from defender Luke Nolan and a Victor Lace strike helped Bohemians secure a 3-0 victory against Finn Harps in the Oscar Traynor Centre on Saturday in the EA Sports MU17 LOI Academy League 2023.

Bohs dominated the early exchanges against a well-organised Finn Harps side with Reilly going close in the 8th minute with a powerful drive that went just wide.

As the first half progressed, Bohs continued to attack with Christopher Conlan and Victor Lace linking up well together to cause Finn Harps problems. Aaron Culleton impressed for Bohs passing the ball from midfield effectively.

Victor Lace came close to breaking the deadlock on the 30-minute mark with a long-range effort. Samuel Collins followed two minutes later with an attempt from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the target. Just before half-time, an excellent run and well-timed cutback by Christopher Conlan set up Victor Lace for a tidy finish to open the scoring for Bohemians.

Harps made a goalkeeper switch at half time and were unfortunate to lose their substitute goalkeeper Ronan Callaghan to a hand injury early in the second half, forcing an outfield player to step into goal for the remainder of the match.

Harps, to their credit, began to grow into the game and attack more but in the 58th minute Bohs’ full back Luke Nolan doubled Bohs’ lead with a nice finish. Nolan then added to his tally to make it 3-0 to Bohs in the 62nd minute, capitalising on another assist from the impressive Christopher Conlan.

Bohs then saw out the game well with substitute Joey Chad going close to making it 4-0 with an effort late in the game.

In the end, Bohemians emerged with a well-earned 3-0 victory against a competitive Finn Harps team. Next weekend, Bohs travel away to St. Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Friday September 22 2023, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
Tickets still available online on general sale

Declan Devine says Bohemians must knuckle down and refocus if they are to deliver a repeat victory away to Drogheda United tomorrow evening.

Bohs came out on the right side of last week’s Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup quarter-final at Weavers Park and tomorrow face Drogs at the same venue in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

A goal from Krystian Nowak and a brace from Johnny Afolabi delivered a 3-1 win and the perfect present for Devine’s 50th birthday last Friday, but Devine had little time to celebrate as focus immediately turned to this week’s rematch.

Devine said: “I was happy last week with our performance but I wasn’t ecstatic as I thought we had opportunities to put the game to bed earlier than we did. I was also disappointed that we conceded just after half-time even though not in a million years did I think it was a penalty.

“The main purpose of last week was to get into the next round of the cup and that was achieved. We moved the ball in difficult conditions quite well, and created a number of great opportunities. But I am looking for us to be better this week in both boxes.

“We defended well, but felt we could have had the game controlled a wee bit better. There are definitely things we can learn from last week, and things we need to do better. That has to be the aim for us going there again.”

After dominating long periods of the first half, Bohs probably felt they should have had more to show for it than a 1-0 lead at the break, particularly when Ryan Brennan’s penalty levelled the game early in the second half.

But Bohs asserted themselves, and went after the game once more.

Devine said: “Our squad is key. Being able to make changes in the way we did, at the stages that we did, was very important. When we go into this period we are in now in terms of having back-to-back Friday/Monday games, we have to utilise our squad.

“We have to make sure that we have energy and quality coming off the bench at the right times.

“Over the course of the season, we have scored a lot of late goals, and the fact that when we went back to 1-1, that the players did not panic and did not worry is a sign of the team maturing.

“It showed experience and that they trusted themselves. They took their setback, sucked it up and they went after the game again, which was a defining moment in the game.

“There was a calmness about us in terms of going and getting the next goal. To get the goal reasonably quickly after Drogheda scored gave us confidence too.

“But we had to dig in, we had to defend. We faced a lot of set pieces and defended them really well, which was really pleasing as was getting three goals away from home.”

The challenge now is to do it all again against a side seeking revenge, but Devine knows there can be no let-up as his side, currently in fourth, looks to break into the top three and secure European qualification through the league.

Devine said: “We spoke on Saturday morning then about a refocus and their attitude, honesty and intensity all week has been outstanding.

“Every player and every member of staff knows the importance of the next game. We are at a stage of the season where every point and every three points is critical. We have got to go up to Drogheda again and give an even better performance than what we did last week.

“We still have a couple of gears that we can go up. We have to make sure now that we are relentless in our pursuit of points, wanting more and driving on between now and the end of the season.”

Devine also comes into this week’s game with the advantage of being reminded of what some of the club’s upcoming talent, and first-team players in need of game-time, have to offer after a crowd of 3093 at Dalymount Park on Monday night saw an experimental Bohs line-up beat Usher Celtic 5-0 to lift the Leinster Senior Cup.

Devine added: “It was a really positive night for us. When we went out for the warm-up and knew that there was going to be over 3000 there, that was sensational.

“It was invaluable that that bond between the fans and players was there for the younger lads playing in front of such a crowd for the first time.

“It was brilliant for Cian Byrne, who has come right through our academy, to be the captain of a team that lifts a trophy at Dalymount Park, irrelevant of what the tournament is because that doesn’t happen every day of your life.

“That is something he should take enormous pride and joy in. It reminds all our young players in the U19s that he was playing at that level last year, and shows that the pathway is open to them and that if you work hard, things can happen for you at our club.

“And I was delighted for Jake McCormack and Chris Lotefa to experience what it feels like to score in front of such a crowd.

“It was right that a good few of the U19s got to play and had an opportunity to perform in front of such a crowd because the U19s got us there with the performance away to Shelbourne in the semi-final.

“At this stage of the season, we also had to use the game for some players to get minutes. Bart Kukulowicz, Louie Holzman, Cian Byrne, Luke Dennison, Ali Coote – a lot of them needed to play, and they played well. Declan McDaid’s goal was a fantastic goal, and Kris Twardek did really well.

“Overall it was a great night. There is a great appetite from our fans to see us play in Dalymount and that is down to the levels of performances that the players are putting in when they play at Dalymount. We have been good at home this year. Our performance was very professional, scoring early and scoring late.”

 TEAM NEWS

Paddy Kirk (ankle) and Bart Kukulowicz (knee) are doubts while Dean Williams (ankle) made his long-awaited return off the bench on Monday.

The Bohemians WU17s made the short trip to a rainswept AUL for a North Dublin Derby against familiar foe, Shelbourne.

Bohemians came into the game in a strong vein of form going unbeaten in their previous four games climbing to fourth in the league. And the hosts, Shelbourne came into the game with a perfect record claiming twenty-four points from a possible twenty-four in the league.

The opening minutes of the game saw a tenacious Bohs side work to impose their presence on the game. The first chance fell to Bohs’ left-winger, Glennon, who after a great darting run fired a low-driven shot which was turned away by the Shels keeper.

A period of pressure from Bohemians saw Shelbourne forced to concede a series of corners – a corner delivered by Glennon saw cries of handball from the Bohs’ players which were waved away by the referee, Jack Keating.

Shelbourne began to grow into the game, controlling possession and attempting to pressure a resilient Bohs’ defensive line. Bohs’ duo Baird and Doyle did excellently to deal with intense pressure down the Bohs right-side.

Whilst Bohs remained under pressure, they were unafraid to press Shelbourne to force loose passes, and mistakes and pressure Shelbourne. Amy Ellis and Baird had success in delivering accurate passes to catch the Shelbourne defensive line off balance and creating chances for Bohs.

A dangerous Shels free-kick in the 35th minute forced a save from the Bohs #1, Ella Brennan, which was parried into a crowded box which was turned into the Bohs goal. However, the referee had already blown his whistle for offside which was met by a sigh of relief by the Bohs team.

An excellent run by Glennon, in the 43rd minute, saw her brought down resulting in a dangerous free-kick on the left-hand side of the Shels box. An excellent floated delivery by Rooney was flicked across the Shelbourne goal by the head of Glennon which landed at the feet of Amy Ellis who calmly dispatched the ball beyond the Shels keeper.

The last chance of the first half fell to Shelbourne, chasing a quick response. A cute through ball found Ella Brennan and the Shels striker in a foot race which the Bohs keeper did excellently to smother before the Shels striker could get a foot to the ball.

Shelbourne began the second half at a high intensity and flew out of the traps eager to find an equaliser. Shelbourne very nearly found themselves level after a well-worked corner forced Bohs to clear their lines.

Bohs found themselves under a period of immense pressure from Shelbourne set-pieces with Ella Brennan forced to make an excellent save to turn an excellent Shels header around her post.

Moments later, a long-diagonal Shels ball found the feet of the Shels #12 – whose flashed effort kissed the face of the Bohs crossbar. Bohs dealt well with the early Shels pressure and continued to press Shels and force mistakes.

They were rewarded for their efforts in the 60th minute when Bohs doubled their advantage. High pressure by Baker forced a loose Shels pass; which found the feet of Glennon who hit the ball first time with the ball slipping through the hands of the Shels keeper who was unable to get back to stop the ball from rolling over the line.

Although two down, Shelbourne began to control the game and create chances forcing a series of excellent saves from Brennan.

Shels earned a lifeline in the 75th minute when Savannah Keogh picked up a loose Bohs clearance before unleashing a low-driven strike on the edge of the box which Brennan could only get her fingertips to.

The final fifteen minutes were played at a frantic pace with both sides continuing to give their all.

The Bohs #10, Baker, doggedly won the ball on the edge of the Shels box before squaring the ball with the ensuing Bohs strike cleared off the goal line in a last-ditch Shels attempt.

A long-range Shels effort in the 80th minute looked destined for the back of the Bohs net but was met by a long diving hand of Brennan who managed to turn the ball over the bar.

A deep Shels free in the 90th minute was floated into the box and met by a powerful header which was thundered past a diving Bohs keeper and into the back of the net bringing the Drumcondra side level.

Shels clinched all three points in the 95th minute after a misplaced Bohs pass found the feet of Shels’ Ruby McCarthy, who rifled the ball into the net.

Jack Keating brought proceedings to an end at the AUL in a match which saw Bohs run out 3-2 losers in a tight, exciting affair.

Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup quarter-final
Friday September 15 2023, Weavers Park, 7.45pm

Declan Devine has said that Bohemians need to grasp their opportunity and give everything of themselves to progress to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.

Bohs make the short journey up the M1 tomorrow to face Drogheda United at Weavers Park, and will be backed by 650 travelling supporters.

Devine said: “The FAI Cup doesn’t suffer fools, so we have to be bang at it right from the very start. The players have been really looking forward to the game.

“Going to Drogheda is a tough place but we are going there concentrating on ourselves. We know their strengths having played them three times already but we also know our own strengths and we have concentrated on them all week.

“There is a big prize on offer for whoever wins the game, so having had two weeks since our last game, this is one that we have really prepared well for.

“At the start of the year, your goal is to get to the latter stages of the FAI Cup, and it doesn’t matter what the draw is, doing that will always be very difficult.

“Drogheda will fancy their chances and we will fancy our chances, but we have to make sure we perform to the levels we are capable of.

“This tie will be decided on the night, there are no second chances. We have got to make sure we grasp our opportunity, that we don’t have any regrets, and that we take care of our business.”

A fortnight has passed since Bohs’ bruising 3-0 defeat in the league away to rivals Shamrock Rovers. Devine was frustrated with the goals his side coughed up in Tallaght Stadium, but praised their application in their time together since.

He said: “It is never enjoyable when you have two weeks in training after a defeat but the training has been at a really high level and the players have shown a brilliant attitude.

“We were extremely disappointed with the goals that we gave away in Tallaght. We have to be a lot better than that. But what I also take out of it is that there were two stonewall penalties in the game that weren’t given. For me, the referee was right on top of it and I just couldn’t believe they weren’t given.

“In any league and in any game, scoring the first goal can be really important and just before they get their opener, James Clarke is brought down inside the box and it’s as stonewall a penalty as you will see.

“No press came to speak to me after the game, so I never got it off my chest at the time but that’s two penalties again in Tallaght not given, on the back of the previous one in our first game out there. It is unacceptable.

“Regardless of that, we know that we did not perform to the levels needed or that we are capable of. The goals we gave away were poor.

“To be fair to this group, they came back to training right at it and focused. Our levels have been very high, and everybody is chomping at the bit to play.”

In that time there has been recognition for two of Devine’s star men too.

First, Johnny Afolabi earned an Ireland call-up for the Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands on Sunday, and, today, James Clarke was named the SSE Airtricity Player of the Month for August; the third Bohs player to win the award this season after Ali Coote in March and Afolabi in July.

Devine said: “You can see from three of our players winning the Player of the Month Award this year that we have some outstanding players.

“Both Johnny and James deserve the kind of recognition that they have received. The two of them have been good all year but outstanding in recent months. They are two young guys but are playing with such a level of maturity, flare and aggression.

“Physically, they are both strong specimens and they have been impeccable in terms of their goals return and creativity. That is what you want. You want to go into these big games with those kinds of big players – players who can perform and that is what we have at the minute.”

Bohs go in tomorrow’s game with another packed-out away section; all 650 tickets were sold to members within 10 minutes of going on sale last Friday.

Devine added: “We have been the best supported club in the league by a country mile, it’s not even close. The effort our fans bring home and away on a weekly basis is incredible.

“They want us to be successful against Drogheda every bit as much as the players and staff. We all want to get through to the semi-finals.

“That is a massive carrot for everyone at the club. It is hugely important. Every single one of us – players, staff and fans – has to give everything of ourselves as by hook or by crook, we want to be in the next round.

“We have the utmost respect for Drogheda, but we are very determined in where we want this group and our club to be.”

TEAM NEWS

Paddy Kirk (ankle) is a doubt.

Dean Williams (ankle) is unlikely to be risked against Drogheda but is set to feature in Monday’s Leinster Senior Cup final against Usher Celtic.

My dad was many things – a husband, a father, the Bohemian programme editor and club historian, and Ireland’s leading soccer statistician, an accolade he richly deserved.

Armed with a vast arsenal of stats, he was the go-to person when anyone – especially the main football correspondents of the day – needed to know something or have something confirmed.

And he had all the answers, too. ‘Has anyone ever scored a faster hat-trick?’ ‘When did such-and-such a player/team last do this or that?’ ‘Did this or that ever happen before?’

Years of research in The National Library and Pearse Street Library meant that he had all the answers at his fingertips. In a pre-internet world, he was your Google search engine! And he was happy to share his knowledge, to impart all that he knew.

He also had an unbelievable command of the English language through his mastering of Latin root words. He developed his vocabulary this way. Knowing the Latin roots was the key to learning multiple words. It enriched his vocabulary, it enhanced his writing. But he never used a complicated word where a simple one would suffice.

He could also speak some Italian, had an interest in meteorology and progressed to the Leinster Senior League as a referee.

He was a lifelong fan of Manchester United and was at Wembley as a supporter when they won the European Cup final in 1968.

He was also insistent that he was from Wicklow, not Dublin! This was due to the fact that he was reared in Annamoe by his grandparents. At the time, Annamoe was believed to be the highest village in Ireland. At least that is what he claimed! He was proud of that fact.

Most of all, people loved him for his many puns and one-liners. He was engaging, gregarious and sharp-witted. He loved to research, to learn. But his biggest love of all was Bohemians.

Aged 42, he became a full-time journalist. Prior to that he had earned his living as a van driver. Football was his hobby before it became his job.

I will always remember my dad beavering away furiously at his typewriter, the levers of the keys caked in thick layers of cigarette ash. Chiefly in the service of Bohemians. For the love of the club.

He was only 52 when he died on 23 March 1988.

I am sure he would be thrilled to know that there is now a digital version of the official club history that he wrote all of those years ago. He would also be immensely proud that his work lives on for other generations of the club’s fans to read and enjoy.

And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, that one small head could carry all he knew.

Read ‘Bohemian AFC: Official Club History 1890-1976′ by Tony Reid (PDF)

Bohemian FC can confirm that Danny McGrath has joined Belgian side Lommel SK for an undisclosed fee.

Having joined from St Kevin’s Boys, the midfielder has progressed right through the Bohemians academy system, becoming a regular for the U19s, and winning the Enda McGuill Cup last year.

The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with Bohemians in January of this year, is also vice-captain of the Ireland U17s, and featured for the first team in the Leinster Senior Cup win against Shelbourne this season.

Speaking as he signed for Lommel SK today, McGrath said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to develop to my full potential.

“I am also very thankful to all the coaches at Bohs, St Kevin’s and Balbriggan FC who have helped me along the way so far.”

Bohemians Head of Academy Craig Sexton said: “We are extremely proud of Danny’s progress and development.

“Danny has had a really good upbringing in terms of his football and has already enjoyed personal success in his own right in terms of international recognition.

“He is another success story of the academy system, and is making a positive step forward in his career and hopefully in time we will see him progressing in senior football and have a fruitful career.

“He is going to balance his football with his education when he is in Belgium too, so he is going to finish his Leaving Cert, which is very important and a big positive.

“Everyone at the club, and all the coaches who have worked with him at St Kevin’s and at Bohs, wish him the very best with the move and with his future career.”