Bohemian FC condemns unequivocally the actions of individuals within our support base during Friday’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division game away against St Patrick’s Athletic.

These incidents, when multiple flares were thrown onto the pitch at the start of the second half, represented an unacceptable and reckless escalation of behaviour that endangered the safety of players from both teams and the safety of our own supporters.

Bohemian FC players required medical attention after being struck by the flares, while we have received reports from our own supporters of being struck by flares thrown in the direction of the pitch.

There can be no justification of this. We have consistently reminded members and supporters of the collective responsibility of all in attendance at our games to help create an atmosphere and environment where supporters feel safe.

All supporters should by now be well aware of the potential consequences and league sanctions for clubs when incidents of this nature occur.

It is therefore extremely frustrating for the overwhelming majority of our fanbase that a small number of individuals proceeded to wilfully behave in this way regardless of the potential consequences for the club and supporters.

We take their actions extremely seriously, and the club is now in the process of reviewing all available footage and photographs from Friday’s game with the aim of identifying those responsible, and can confirm that anyone identified as throwing flares will be indefinitely banned from Bohemians games.

Declan Devine wants Bohemians to hit the ground running when they make the short trip to Richmond Park to take on St Patrick’s Athletic in a Dublin derby tonight.

Bohs come into the game on the back of a busy transfer deadline, with Devine adding four defenders – Divin Isamala, Aboubacar Keita, Luke Matheson and Jevon Mills – to his squad for 2024.

But once the transfer window shut, focus immediately returned to this evening’s trip to Inchicore.

St Pat’s fans have the bragging rights in this fixture having beaten Bohs in both the 2023 and 2021 FAI Cup finals, and Devine knows his side will have to be out of the traps early to help banish those memories.

Devine said: “This is the kind of game as a fan, a player and a manager that you should really look forward to – two local rivals going toe to toe.

“Richmond Park is a brilliant place to go and play football as well, and there is always a good atmosphere between both sets of supporters.

“We went to Richmond Park last year and had two positive performances but it doesn’t count for anything now. St Pat’s have brought in a lot of new bodies, we have brought in a lot of new bodies but it is a Dublin derby with both teams determined to have a positive result.

“It’s St Pat’s first home game so I would expect them to look to start the game with a really high level and high tempo. But we want to start like that too.”

Bohs were rocked in their season opener against Sligo Rovers last week when Rob Cornwall was forced off injured after just 30 minutes. Scans later revealed the worst, with the 29-year-old set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his ACL.

That loss disrupted Bohs, and they needed a late goal from James Clarke to salvage a draw against the Bit O’Red.

But bolstered by yesterday’s additions, Devine believes there is a lot to be excited about this season.

He said: “We go into this game with a lot of self-belief and we are pleased with where our squad is now.

“There were positives last week, scoring late on to get something from the game, the two goals we scored were very high quality, and there were a lot of players playing for Bohs for the first time and playing in Dalymount for the first time. But we know we have to be better, particularly at the back.

“Last week we lost Rob in a moment of the game that I think affected everybody. I could feel it in the crowd, I could feel it on the pitch and I could feel it in the dugout. To lose three stalwarts of the club over the last couple of months in Rob, James Talbot and Keith Buckley is a big blow to us as a group and as a club.

“They are set-backs that we have to take on the chin and I was pleased that we were able to respond to get something out of the game. The subs we brought on last week helped to change the game.

“It shows you the strength in depth that we have at the club that we could bring on two full internationals in Martin Miller and Martin Lilander, as well as bringing Brian McManus for his first appearance, and we are lucky to be able to bring on someone like Dylan Connolly off the bench, and then to bring on Nickson Okosun, one of the most sought-after young players in the league, shows we have talented players coming through too.

“They all had a huge impact on the game, and we added some real quality to our squad yesterday, which I feel will give us brilliant strength in depth this season. We know that there were areas that we needed to strengthen but we have a very strong group of players here now who I believe in. We have a lot of talent, we have great pace in our team, and we have players who can hurt teams.

“The changes in the squad and the improvements in personnel we have this season is something I am very excited about, and we will be in a strong position to push forward in the next couple of weeks, and I think we are in a good place.”

As well as yesterday’s recruits in defence, one new arrival who could feature for the first time tonight is Polish striker Filip Piszczek, and Devine added: “Filip is a big presence. He holds the ball up really well, and attacks crosses really well. At 28 years of age he comes in with great experience.

“He has played over 130 times in the top flight in Poland, which is a very high level. There are not many players in this league with that kind of experience at that high a level. He has been a really positive signing for us, and you can already see how much the players respect and value him, and I think the fans will love what they see when they see him play.”

Team news

Bohemians are without Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot).

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Divin Isamala from St Francis.

The 20-year-old is the 12th addition to Declan Devine’s squad for the 2024 season.

Welcoming Isamala to Dalymount Park, Devine said:

“Divin has been a player that we have been looking at for a long time. He was in with us during pre-season and we were impressed with what we saw.

“He’s a player with a great future ahead of him in the game. He was very close to joining an English Championship club last year so we are delighted that he was chosen to pursue a career here in the League of Ireland with Bohs.

“He’s a big strong lad and I feel he will be a great addition to the group and will add to the great competition we now have in defence.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (27): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, Divin Isamala, Aboubacar Keita, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Luke Matheson, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Jevon Mills, Nickson Okosun, Filip Piszczek, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Luke Matheson on loan from Bolton Wanderers until the end of June.

The 21-year-old former England youth international is the 11th addition to Declan Devine’s squad for the 2024 season.

Welcoming Matheson to Dalymount Park, Devine said: “Luke is a smashing young player and we are delighted to bring to the club. He is very enthusiastic and is really looking forward to getting started with us.

“He is only 21 years of age but has already played a lot of first-team football in League One and League Two in England, and in the Scottish Championship. He is very highly rated at Bolton and only recently signed a new contract there.

“He is lightning quick and is flexible in where he can play. He can play in either full-back position or as a wing-back, and seriously strengthens our defensive options.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (26): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, Aboubacar Keita, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Luke Matheson, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Jevon Mills, Nickson Okosun, Filip Piszczek, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the season-long loan of defender Aboubacar Keita from MLS side Colorado Rapids.

The 23-year-old former United States underage international is the tenth addition to Declan Devine’s squad for the 2024 season.

Welcoming Keita to Dalymount Park, Devine said:

“Aboubacar is a really exciting signing for us. The club has been trying to get a top left-sided centre-back for a number of years now and Aboubacar really fits the bill.

“He is a player who I believe has the potential to go very far in this game. He has pace, power, experience and bags of ability, and I am over the moon that we have finally got him in.

“He comes to Bohs having played at a very high level in the MLS previously with Columbus Crew, he is extremely highly rated at Colorado Rapids and they have invested seriously in his development, which will be of huge benefit to us this season.

“He has been one of our top targets and there has been a lot of work going on in the background over the past number of weeks to ensure that we got this deal over the line, so I have to commend the work of the staff at the club for all of their efforts in bringing Aboubacar to the club.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (25): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, Aboubacar Keita, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Jevon Mills, Nickson Okosun, Filip Piszczek, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the loan signing of Hull City defender Jevon Mills until the end of June.

The former Ireland U19 international is the ninth addition to Declan Devine’s squad for the 2024 season.

Welcoming Jevon to Dalymount Park, Devine said:

“The centre of defence was the one area where we needed to strengthen, so I am really pleased that we have good options there now, and we hope to be in a position to confirm another defender shortly too.

“Jevon is a strong young centre-half and we are delighted to get him in. At 6ft 2in, he is a very commanding presence.

“He is a player we have been monitoring for some time now and although he is only 20 years of age, he already has great first-team experience from his time on loan with Falkirk, Gateshead and Solihull Moors, so he is coming in with a strong pedigree and a determination to progress.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (24): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Jevon Mills, Nickson Okosun, Filip Piszczek, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of Polish striker Filip Piszczek on a multi-year contract.

The 28-year-old joins from Japanese side FC Imabari and, subject to international clearance, will be the eighth new addition to Declan Devine’s squad.

Welcoming Piszczek to Dalymount Park, Devine said: “Filip is a really welcome addition to our squad. He has been in training with us and has been spoken about in glowing terms by the players and coaching staff.

“We have really liked what we have seen from Filip so far, and he is a player with a lot of experience playing in the top flight in Poland and in leagues in Europe and Asia. He has a great presence about him, is highly motivated and really strengthens our attacking options.

“I believe we have good attacking options now. Sten Reinkort got off to a great start scoring on his debut on Friday. We have great potential in Nickson Okosun, and strong options in James Akintunde and Declan McDaid as well.

“Filip adds another dimension of quality and experience to all of that, and we are really looking forward to working with him.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (23): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Nickson Okosun, Filip Piszczek, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.

Scans have confirmed that Bohemians defender Rob Conrwall suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during Friday’s 2-2 draw against Sligo Rovers.

Manager Declan Devine said: “It’s devastating news for the group to lose such an inspirational player, and Rob himself is obviously devastated too.

“Rob is an extremely talented player, a leader within the group and someone I tried to bring back to the club before the start of last season so to finally get him in and to lose him after just 30 minutes is clearly a massive blow for us.

“Recovering from an ACL injury is a long process and we will give Rob all the support that he needs, both on and off the pitch, during his recovery.”

Declan Devine says Bohemians will be looking to start as they mean to go on when Sligo Rovers provide the opposition at a sold-out Dalymount Park on opening night.

Devine says the closed season required reflection and review after the 2023 campaign ended in disappointment but believes his new-look squad is now raring to go.

Yesterday’s signing of Brian McManus from Shelbourne was the seventh new arrival ahead of the 2024 campaign following the additions of fellow Dubliners Rob Cornwall and Dayle Rooney, Estonians Sten Reinkort, Martin Miller and Michael Lilander, and Pole Kacper Chorazka.

Devine said: “At the start of every season every team goes into it really looking forward to it and we are no different. Undeniably we had a painful off-season, it was an off-season that needed a lot of reflection and review.

“The disappointments of how last season ended will certainly give us additional motivation and hunger in terms of achieving our goals and success in the coming campaign.

“But once pre-season got underway, it has been really enjoyable from the start. The team has been working hard on a daily basis, we have a lot of talented new players in, and everyone is now really looking forward to getting started.”

Bohs fans will be keen to see how those new faces fare tomorrow and Devine said: “I am really happy with the players we have brought in so far. We have brought in a good mix of quality – players with experience and knowledge of the league as well as players who were playing at a high level overseas.

“I have been very impressed with Rob Cornwall. The fans here know him well but his leadership qualities have really stood out for me. With Keith Buckley being out, Rob’s leadership is going to be very important to us.

“In recent games, I have also been really impressed by Cian Byrne. Last year we had relatively unknown 21-year-old centre-back Kacper Radkowski who we took a chance on. Now we have another 21-year-old in Cian who we all know well, who has come right through our academy, and is a player with a lot of ability and potential who I think can have a big career in this league.

“One of our most consistently impressive performers in pre-season has been Dayle Rooney. I’ve really enjoyed working with Dayle. The mentality Dayle has brought to the group in what is his first year as a full-time footballer is something he deserves a lot of credit for. His appetite on a daily basis to come in and do well has been exceptional, and I think him being in a full-time environment will help him push on this year.

“We have really good quality players at the club, great competition for the No 1 spot and in the Estonian lads we have brought in, we have players who have played at international level and in European games at club level.

“We hope to add another striker and centre-back to the group before the window closes but as I have said before, we will only bring in players who improve the squad, as we have quality young players coming through our academy and U20s knocking on the door as well.”

Opening night games are often nervy encounters, and Devine added: “I’ve gone to watch Sligo twice in recent weeks and they will be a formidable opposition. It will be a tough game. In the opening four or five games of every campaign, teams are still finding out about each other and there is usually little between the teams.

“Sligo will be looking forward to coming up here but we will be ready for the game and hope to get off to a positive start.”

Team news

James McManus (foot) and Keith Buckley (knee) remain out.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Brian McManus from Shelbourne.

The Dubliner, 22, goes straight into contention for Friday’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division opener against Sligo Rovers.

Welcoming McManus to Dalymount Park, manager Declan Devine said: “Brian ticks all the boxes and, for a player of his age, has a lot of experience and has already played a lot of games in the League of Ireland.

“He is a player that really impressed me any time I watched him for Shelbourne last season and he gives us real qualities in the middle of the park where we needed to strengthen in terms of his defensive qualities.

“I feel we have great competition for places in midfield now and in Brian we have a very talented young player who is really looking to push on now.

“We had him in at training today and met all the staff and players, he was a breath of fresh air and we are really looking forward to working with him.”

McManus came through the ranks at St Kevin’s before spending two years at Preston North End, returning to Ireland to play for Shelbourne in 2020.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign for Bohs. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind but I am delighted to be here.

“I grew up playing with Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney at St Kevin’s so I know a lot about the club from following them.

“I know that after losing the cup final last year, that the manager and players here really want to push on this season. It’s a big club and everyone here wants to be back playing in Europe so I can’t wait to get started here.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (22): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores,  Danny Grant, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Nickson Okosun, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.