“We are delighted to be working alongside Bohs on this issue and hope this event will inspire other clubs to take proactive steps towards welcoming new communities and fostering integration. Clubs and spaces like Bohs offer a place for people to come together and we hope that anyone who believes in an Ireland of welcomes will get behind the message being sent out on the 18th.”

Daniel Lambert, Bohemian FC Director, said: “Bohemian FC is acutely aware of the enormity of the refugee crisis unfolding across Europe. As a club we would like to take this concrete action, both to support the invaluable work of the IRC, and to reflect the will of our members and supporters in assisting those in flight. As a club we are fully democratic, inclusive, progressive, and welcoming to all and this is reflected in the numerous actions the club, and its supporters, continuously take on wider social issues.”

Keith Long, first-team manager Bohemian FC, said: “Supporters and players for Bohemians have come from a wide range of backgrounds over the club’s lifetime. We want the club and Dalymount Park to be a welcoming home for all.”

Tickets for this event are €5 from the Bohemian FC office at Dalymount Park and our online store.

Two days later, on Saturday 3 October, Bohemians will lead a Tour of Bohemian Graves at Glasnevin Cemetery. This will leave at 11 am from the Finglas Road entrance of the cemetery and end at the Prospect Square entrance.

Our tour will include the graves of Gerard O’Sullivan, who died from playing injuries in 1931, Richard Hooper, who was one of two brothers to captain Bohemians in the 1900s-10s, Joe Wickham, a club official who became a long-serving secretary of the FAI, Emmet Dalton, an army captain and later film producer who was a player and president of the club in the 1920s, Paddy Andrews, a brother of ‘Tod’ Andrews and club captain in the 1930s, and Jeremiah (Sam) Robinson, who played for Bohemians and Ireland in the mid-1920s.

Tickets for this event are €4 from the Bohemian FC office at Dalymount Park and our online store.

For further information contact Brian Trench, Bohemian FC Media Officer, bohspro@bohemians.ie

Following a disappointing brace of results against Bray Wanderers, Long was pleased to see a much-improved performance against Dundalk last Friday. “I thought it was a good all-round team performance against the likely Champions. Obviously it was disappointing to concede so late on, but overall we can be nothing but pleased with the performance,” said Long.

With a win, a loss, and last week’s last-gasp draw against the reigning Champions / Champions Elect, Bohs have shown they can stand toe to toe with the best in the country. “We’ve shown in most of the games against the teams above us that we can compete. The players know that on their day, if they perform to their maximum, we can match any side in this league,” said Long.

“We’ve proven to be a thorn in the side of Dundalk this season, and it shows us that we’re not a million miles off if we can add to the squad wisely over the Winter months.”

With a raft of injuries as well as suspensions to two key leaders (Roberto Lopes and Derek Prendergast), this game gives some Bohemians players a chance to step up to the plate in the biggest game in Irish football.

“We’ll miss characters like that – Roberto has been outstanding this year along with Derek, who’s been an unsung hero for us. He’s been the consummate professional since he came to the club,” said Long. “But it’s an opportunity for other players to come in. It’s a great game to be involved in – and I’ve asked the lads to make sure that they don’t let Saturday pass them by.”

As mentioned above, Bohs will be without the suspended duo of Roberto Lopes and Derek Prendergast, with manager Keith Long also in the stands as he starts a two game touchline ban. Defender Anto Murphy is likely to miss the rest of the season with a groin injury. Jake Kelly (hamstring) is rated as highly doubtful, with Robbie Creevy and Jason Caffrey 50-50 to be fit in time for Saturday. Eoin Wearen returns to the squad following a concussion. Derek Pender (achilles), Marc Griffin (cruciate) and Dan Byrne (knee) remain on the longer-term injury list.

Seeing the draw for the quarter-finals was “salt in the wound”, said Long, as he considered the prospect of a home tie against Killester United.

“We just have to dust ourselves down and make sure we’re right for Friday. It’s another big game and we’ll try to give our supporters something to shout about and get behind the team.”

Long aims to have his team find again the approach that brought such good returns. “We have to try and enjoy the game again and play with the courage we showed in the early part of the season,” he said. “We need to get back to having a go at teams, and being defensively organised.”

After a first series of league games in which Bohemians were largely injury-free and suspension-free, they have had several major set-backs, notably the long-term sidelining of Derek Pender, Marc Griffin and Dan Byrne.

Now midfielders Eoin Wearen (head injury) and Robbie Creevy (knee), who missed the cup match last weekend, remain out. Jake Kelly was cup-tied for the Bray game and now he is out with a hamstring injury from the earlier league match against Bray, while Anto Murphy is sidelined with an abdomen injury.

Despite this, Long insists that Bohemians “want to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can”. The squad is focused on getting the maximum return from the remaining eight games.

“We have committed to each other that we will give everything to every game. That’s the least that the team and the club deserve and we’ll see where that takes us,” Long said.

“Some games we haven’t been good enough to break down the opposition even when we’ve dominated the possession. It’s a learning curve and we are already planning ahead. But we won’t dilute the team in the coming games and we’ll be giving it a right go to the end.”

“I’m very grateful to Bohemian Football Club for choosing Pieta House as their charity partner for this exhibition match. Events of this kind are essential not only to fundraise, but also to raise awareness of suicide and self-harm in our communities,” said CEO of Pieta House Brian Higgins.

“Our vision is to live in a world where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance. Supporting and looking out for each other is a vital part of team sports and I encourage everyone, the audience, club staff and team members to continue to look after themselves and to watch out for each other.”

Glen Crowe and Paul McGee, another former Bohemian footballer and a member of the FAI Masters, who has spoken candidly about his own struggle with depression, urge support for the charity match in a video interview posted today at https://vimeo.com/137028210

Mick Byrne said the Masters initiative aimed to support former League of Ireland players, in particular their mental health and well-being. “A few were in a bad place when they joined us, and some have told us their lives have changed because of getting involved,” Byrne said. The Masters have played over 20 games in 18 months, raising many thousands for charity.

• Bohemian Legends v FAI International Masters, Dalymount Park, Sunday 6th September, kick-off 3pm. Admission €5; children under 12 go free.

About Pieta House
Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre founded in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2006. With nine centres throughout Ireland, Pieta House provides a professional one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral or a psychiatric report is not required and the service is completely free of charge. To date, Pieta House has supported more than 17,500 people, with more than 5,000 of those seeking help in 2014. There are four centres in the Dublin area including in Finglas, Lucan, Ballyfermot and Tallaght.

However, Monday’s defeat cost Bohemians not only potential points, but also injuries to two midfielders, Robbie Creevy (knee) and Eoin Wearen (head). Their injuries unsettled Bohemians’ approach to Monday’s game and both will be out for Friday. So too will recent recruit Jake Kelly, who is cup-tied.

Long paid tribute to the Bray players for battling hard through two changes of management. Bray have won six of their eight league games since the summer break, gaining nine points on Bohemians. However, it would take extraordinary circumstances to change Bohs’ league position as there are still 11 points separating them in fifth place from Bray in sixth.

“You’ve got to give the Bray players huge credit. They work extremely hard and we won’t take them lightly. We didn’t do soon Monday. I wasn’t surprised at Bray’s performance, but I was disappointed with our own.

“I would expect our players to give a good account of themselves because they know how important this game is to us as a group and to the club in general.

“The players will need no extra motivation and that’s going to be a big factor on Friday. I feel it will come down to which team that shows greater desire and I hope that will be us.”

Karl Moore missed the last league game through sickness, but he returns for Friday. Derek Prendergast, Anto Murphy and Keith Buckley, who were rested on Monday, are also available. Derek Pender, Marc Griffin and Dan Byrne remain out with long-term injuries.

Bohemians and Bray have already met four times this season, as they did in 2014 and 2013. In these 12 matches in three competitions, Bohemians have won eight. Bray’s last win in Dalymount Park was in October 2013.

Bohs boss Keith Long made five changes to the team that defeated Galway on Friday, with Derek Prendergast, Anto Murphy, Keith Buckley, Dave Mulcahy and Ismahil Akinade all given a rest from the starting line-up with the big Cup game in mind. Bohs new signings Eoin Wearen and Jake Kelly are cup tied for Friday’s game, so both started here.

With five wins from their last 6 games, Bray were understandably in confident form, and started the game much brighter than the visitors. Wanderers captain David Cassidy was the first to threaten, forcing a smart save from Dean Delany, while Peter McGlynn on the opposite wing was in flying form. He terrorized Dylan Hayes, and forced an excellent near-post save from Delany after being played through by Cassidy.

When Bohs took the lead in the 20th minute, it was against the run of play. Ploughing a lone furrow up front, Jason Byrne forced a corner which Lorcan Fitzgerald whipped in. Goalkeeper Peter Cherrie could only punch the ball onto the head of one of hos own defenders, and the ball fell favourably for Robbie Creevy, who had the simple task of nodding into the empty net.

Unfortunately for Bohs, that was as good as it got for the whole evening. Almost from the restart, Bray went up the other end and set about unsettling the Gypsies defence. Chris Lyons nipped onto the ball just inside the box, and was dispossessed by a strong tackle from Eoin Wearen. Bizarrely, referee Robert Harvey pointed to the spot. No Bray players had really appealed for a foul. A truly, truly awful decision, and Bohs were punished when Lyons dusted himself down to convert the spot kick.

The away side were further aggrieved when a dangerous tackle by Hugh Douglas was only punished by a yellow card. Wearen, the recipient, needed stitches in a head wound, but there was confusion as the dressing rooms were locked. Wearen received some treatment in an ambulance, but the process was taking too long and Bohs were forced into a change, with Kealan Dillon coming on. Goalscorer Creevy also seemed to receive a dead leg after an Alan McNally tackle, and was replaced by Dave Mulcahy at half time.

The second half was only three minutes old when Bray grabbed a deserved lead. Roberto Lopes, who endured a thoroughly miserable night, sold Delany short with a terrible back pass. Lyons picked it up and squared to Peter McGlynn, who finished well from 12 yards.

Jason Byrne was also struggling against his old club, and Bohs only really started to look dangerous when Ismahil Akinade came on. The Nigerian powered past McNally with his first contribution, but couldn’t quite square the ball across to Jake Kelly as Cherrie got to him in time to force a corner.

With Bohs piling forward in search of the equaliser, they began to get caught out on the break. Substitute Dave Scully, a familiar face to all at Dalymount, should really have sealed the points with 5 minutes to go, but could only fire into the side netting after rounding Delany. However, Scully had the last laugh when he scored a fine goal in injury time. After receiving a square pass from Gareth McDonagh, he evaded Stephen Best’s challenge and fired into the top corner. Celebrating in front of the Bohs fans left some with a sour taste, but small sections had been giving the former Gypsy some stick.

All eyes now turn to Friday night’s clash at Dalymount Park. Bray will be upbeat after this result, but Bohs have some big hitters to return to the starting line up.

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie, Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally, Niall Cooney, Michael Barker, John Sullivan, Ryan McEvoy, David Cassidy, Graham Kelly, Peter McGlynn (Dave Scully, 70), Chris Lyons (Gareth McDonagh, 85). Subs not used: Sean Fogarty, Luke Fitzpatrick, Daniel O’Reilly, Adam Wixted, Adam Mitchell.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Dylan Hayes,  Roberto Lopes, Stephen Best, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Paddy Kavanagh, Eoin Wearen (Kealan Dillon, 33), James O’Brien, Robbie Creevy (Dave Mulcahy 46), Jake Kelly, Jason Byrne (Ismahil Akinade, 60). Subs not used: Lee Stacey, Keith Buckley, Adam Evans, Jason Caffrey.

BohemianFC.com Man of the Match: Dean Delany

“The players recognise where we have to improve. We’ve got to get back to being difficult to beat. The last couple of games we’ve been very open to play against, and that’s something we’ll try to solve.”

Long had always anticipated there would be “low moments as well as high moments” and he is looking to “hard work” and “a strong performance” from the players to secure a win on Friday and ensure more high moments.

The Bohemian manager saluted the fans who continue to “believe in the honesty of this group”, and particularly those who made the journeys to Cork and Limerick.

“We didn’t give them value for money and we’ve got to build back that trust with them on Friday night. We’ve got to make sure we leave nothing on the pitch.”

Long insisted that Bohemians still have a lot to play for in the league despite their position between the groups above and below them, with a six-point margin on one side and nine-point gap on the other.

“We’ve got to win every match we possibly can. We owe that to the supporters, to the club and to ourselves,” he said. “The club is moving forward on and off the pitch and we’re not going to carry anyone who doesn’t buy into what we’re trying to do.”

Bohs’ 4-3 defeat in Limerick last weekend had a strange echo of a result last May against Friday’s opponents, Galway United.

Having started the league campaign conceding only seven goals in 12 games, Bohemians scored three but let in five in Galway.

That night, Derek Pender was missing and, last Friday, he and Lorcan Fitzgerald were both out. “We’re making no excuses but we have really missed our full-backs. These are two of the best full-backs in the country,” said Long.

He has had to shuffle his back line repeatedly due to Pender’s absence since June, then Anto Murphy’s injury and his later suspension and, more recently, Fitzgerald’s hamstring injury.
For this Friday, Fitzgerald returns, as does Eoin Wearen, who was out last weekend with an ankle injury from the Cork game two weeks ago.

Goalkeeper Lee Steacy returns to the squad having missed last weekend due to a training injury on his hand.