“We’re going into the game against Derry with an outside chance of getting into Europe, and most fair-minded people would have accepted that [for Bohemians] at the start of the season. Still, doing OK is not good enough for a club like Bohemians and we want to continue to improve. “

Derry are just one place, but 15 points, behind Bohemians in the league table. They have strengthened their side since the summer and are on a good run.

“Anyone who thinks we are going up to Derry for an easy game is mistaken,” said Long. “We beat them 4-2 in Dalymount in one of the strangest games of the year. After we scored four goals in ten minutes Derry dominated the game.

“They are in flying form and they have secured their Premier Division status. So, they will play with an element of freedom,” said Long.

“I expect a good game. I expect both teams to go for it, and the players to go out and express themselves. But it will be a difficult game. It’s never easy up in Derry.”

Bohemians go there unbeaten in six league games and having kept a clean sheet in the last two. “From a defensive point of view we can’t ask for more,” said Long. “Dean [Delany] has been consistent, as he has been throughout the season, and he has pulled off important saves at critical times.

“In the absence of Lorcan Fitzgerald, Derek Prendergast and Stephen Best in the back four, Dave Mulcahy has had to slot back in there alongside Anto Murphy and these guys have huge experience, and they have been excellent.”

For Friday, Derek Prendergast and James O’Brien return from injury but Lorcan Fitzgerald remains out and Roberto Lopes is suspended. Stephen Best is recovering but he is unlikely to be available this weekend, though he may return for the final game of the season.

“Our lads don’t need any extra motivation at this point. They want to get a win on Saturday. We have to make sure we’re ready and our lads will embrace that challenge.”

Sligo Rovers are 19 points behind Bohemians but manager Mickey Adams has steadied the ship and in the ten league games since they were beaten 1-0 in Dalymount Park, Sligo have accumulated just one point less than Bohemians.

“Sligo is a tough place to go. They have a squad full of quality and they have three games to maintain their Premier Division status. They will set about doing that on Saturday,” said Long.

“They will see this home fixture as one they absolutely have to win and we have to go up there and make sure we are ready for everything they throw at us.”

Paddy Kavanagh and Jason Caffrey return for selection, having been ill last week, but defenders Stephen Best (thigh), Derek Prendergast (calf) and now Lorcan Fitzgerald (groin) are all likely to miss out. Midfielder James O’Brien (ankle) has returned to training and may be available.

The additional training session on Friday will be an opportunity to confirm the fitness of the players fighting to recover. But even with possibly three first-choice defenders missing, Long is unlikely to risk starting Dan Byrne, who returned to action last week.

Byrne came on as a late sub against St Patrick’s, making only his second appearance this season after a long lay-off and an interrupted recovery. “We hope to give Dan more game-time this season but we have to be careful and not overload him. He is dedicated to getting himself completely right for the next season,” said Long.
Up front, manager Long has widened his choices, giving 19-year-old Aaron Ashe a brief appearance off the bench last weekend. Ashe joined Bohemians at the start of the year and has been a regular goal-scorer for the under-19s, netting a hat-trick against Longford Town last month. He has been training with the first team for several months.

“He’s a young lad with a lot to learn but he works extremely hard at his game and we hope he can make the step up next season and continue to develop with us,” said Long.

Following four successive league draws, Keith Long was looking for an elusive win, and picked an attacking starting line-up with Jake Kelly and Keith Buckley on the wings, flanking Karl Moore in a no.10 role behind Izzy Akinade. Perennial pest Christy Fagan led the line for Pats, and had the first chance, but his goal-bound effort was struck right into the face of Dave Mulcahy – a typical block from the Kilkenny man. Missing Greg Bolger and Killian Brennan, Pats were uncharacteristically sloppy in possession, and Bohs got the breakthrough on 14 minutes.

Jason McGuinness was in a foul mood all night, and chopped down Akinade about 40 yards out on the Jodi Stand side. Lorcan Fitzgerald’s free kick wasn’t the best, and was headed out towards Eoin Wearen on the opposite flank. Wearen’s cross was inch-perfect, landing just over the heads of the Pats defence onto the left foot of Anto Murphy. The defender did well to keep the shot down, and such was the power that it flew past Conor O’Malley before he could move. The hundreds of German fans in attendance nodded in admiration at the atmosphere created by the 2055 fans.

Bohs continued to press forward, with the hassling of Akinade, Buckley and Kelly proving too much to handle, especially for James Chambers in the Pats midfield, who simply didn’t look to have the fitness or sharpness to be playing at this level. Three times Bohs broke toward the Pats goal in a 3 on 3 situation, but the final pass let them down each time. Then, just before half time, Lorcan Fitzgerald’s free kick was somehow not nodded in by Mulcahy, who was less than 3 yards out.

Half-time entertainment included a welcome visit from Johnny Logan, and a fluent German speech from Bohs PRO Brian Trench to the German visitors. My Deutch isn’t what it used to be, but the warm applause from the Germans in attendance signalled that they sincerely appreciated the gesture.

As mentioned above, ex-Bohs defender Jason McGuinness seemed determined to earn some cards. Pats’ first set piece of the second half was swung in and headed away by Dave Mulcahy – who McGuinness simply kung-fu kicked in the head. If it was anywhere else on the pitch, a straight red card would be mandatory, but referee Robert Harvey went for the yellow. McGuinness didn’t hang around, taking out Akinade as the Nigerian skipped past him on the edge of the box. A second yellow in the space of 3 minutes, and McGuinness was invited to head back to the away dressing rooms.

Bohs made the game safe just after the hour mark. Akinade was brilliant in the air all night, this time flicking it on to Jake Kelly cutting in from the right. Kelly played it to Karl Moore, and his shot cannoned down off the crossbar, over the line, and back out. The eagle-eyed referee’s assistant signalled the goal, and three points were secured.

Bohs could easily have added to their tally, with Fitzgerald, Moore and Jason Byrne all having late chances. Pats could easily have lessened their representation on the pitch – Fagan (no relation) should have walked for a lunge on Akinade by the corner flag. Bohs head to Sligo next Saturday aiming to keep the pressure on. Pats need 4 points from their last 4 games against Drogheda, Cork, Sligo and Galway.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Dylan Hayes, Dave Mulcahy, Anto Murphy, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Keith Buckley (Dan Byrne, 90), Roberto Lopes (Jason Byrne, 81), Eoin Wearen, Jake Kelly (Aaron Ashe, 88), Karl Moore; Ismahil Akinade. Subs not used: Kealan Dillon, Adam Evans, Robbie Creevy, Lee Steacy.

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Conor O’Malley, Ger O’Brien, (Ian Morris, 37), Jason McGuinness, Shane McEleney, Ian Bermingham, Conan Byrne, Jamie McGrath (Jack Bayly, 78), James Chambers, Sam Verdon (Morgan Langley, 68), Aaron Greene, Christy Fagan. Subs not used: Michael Hannigan, Darragh Markey, Paul Rooney, Pat Jennings.

Mr Green Bohemian Man of the Match: Karl Moore

“Since the summer break we have been a little bit easier to play against and we have to find again that steel and determination we had. If we do that, and play with a bit more fluidity there are goals in this team.”

Following last week’s Leinster Senior Cup semi-final, which Bohemians lost on penalties, they face “another tough game” against St Patrick’s.

As for displacing Pat’s from fourth place, “mathematically, it’s still possible, but they have a game in hand and it’s going to be very difficult,” said Long.

“All we can do is to try and win the game on Friday night, which won’t be easy, and take care of our own performances over the remaining four games.”

Long is again missing the injured James O’Brien (ankle), Derek Prendergast (calf), Stephen Best (thigh) and Jason Caffrey (illness). But Jake Kelly returns, having been cup-tied last weekend, and Anto Murphy, who was out for the last two league games, has done full training all week, and is available.

Stephen Best has publicly committed himself to Bohemians for next season, and manager Long is working on securing other key-pieces of the 2016 squad.

For the present, however, his main focus is on getting the most out of the rest of this year’s campaign. “We want to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can,” he said.

“In previous rounds we have been able to give younger players some game-time and that’s the way a lot of clubs would treat this competition. But it is a chance for silverware, and we’ll approach the game in the manner that we’ve done throughout the season and we’ll be going all-out to try and win the game.”

Bohemians have this season kept up their good record of recent years against Shamrock Rovers, with a win at home and a draw away in the league.

“But records and form count for nothing when the next game comes around. We will have to concentrate on getting our performance right on Friday. It’s a head-to-head and we’ll see who comes out on top,” said Long.

Dave Mulcahy returns from ankle injury and Keith Buckley from suspension. Jake Kelly is cup-tied and James O’Brien (ankle) is ruled out. Anto Murphy (groin) has been training but may not be fully fit. Stephen Best (quad strain) and Derek Prendergast (knock in training) are expected to be available.

Bohemians have won the Leinster Senior Cup 31 times, more than any other club. These wins stretch back to 1893-94, the second time the competition took place. Bohemians also won the cup in the five following years. They got to keep the trophy, which is displayed in Dalymount Park.

Bohs last won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1997-98. In this 125th anniversary year, a 32nd win would be especially welcome.