Bohemian FC Commercial Director, Daniel Lambert, welcomed Karmann Volkswagen as the club’s official car partner. “We are very pleased that VW Karmann has agreed to continue, and indeed strengthen, its links with the club in 2015,” he said.

“We aim to continue this strong partnership that delivers mutual benefits and thank the team at Karmann for their tremendous support. Karmann has a strong presence in North Dublin, where Bohemian FC has been an integral part of sporting life for 125 years. We are both looking forward to an exciting year, both on and off the pitch, on this our historic 125th anniversary.”

Karmann Volkswagen is based on the North Road in Finglas, just off Junction 5 on the M50. Karmann has a full range of new and used Volkswagens available to view indoors, including the Volkswagen Golf range and the brand new 8th generation Volkswagen Passat.

Following Tuesday’s showing by an almost-entirely changed team, he has the “problem that I want” of many alternative selections. “We made nine changes to the game and the boys did very well. That’s what we want, competition for every place, and everybody putting themselves into contention.”

Long expects Galway to fight hard for their first league points, after forfeiting an early lead last week against Derry City. “I’m sure they’ll be disappointed not to have picked up some points against Derry. They’ll be coming to Dalymount expecting to get a result.

“Tommy [Dunne] did very well to bring Galway up in his first season in charge, and he knows what it takes to be competitive in the Premier Division. I am under no illusions they will present a big test for us.”

Long says Bohemians’ weak home form in recent seasons has not been an issue within his squad. “We want to put in a good, positive performance in front of our supporters, get our season started in Dalymount on the right note, and hopefully send the supporters home happy with three points.”

Bohemian have all carried-over suspensions served, and only Dan Byrne and Dave Mulcahy are out through injury. Mulcahy (calf) will return to team training later this month and Byrne (cruciate) is building his fitness towards contact training in the coming weeks.

President Michael D. Higgins will attend Friday’s match, seeing Galway in action again after returning to his home-town last weekend. A strong supporter of the League of Ireland, President Higgins will be present at Dalymount Park also to mark Bohemians’ 125th anniversary year.

Among those meeting the poet-President will be Lewis Kenny, Bohemians’ newly appointed Poet in Residence.

There was no whirlwind start for the Gypsies this time around, as early exchanges were quite scrappy with both sides struggling to get on top. The Dalymount pitch has seen a definite improvement from the Leinster Senior game against Bray, and boss Long will be hoping for continued progress as the league season kicks in. Bohs were the most threatening in the opening quarter, and came closest when captain Lopes headed over from a Hyland corner. At the other end, Athlone midfielder Eric Foley brought a good save from Delany when he arrived late in the box to meet a dangerous cross from the left.

This was a cup tie that needed a spark – one which was brilliantly provided in the 28th minute. Karl Moore, who would have been disappointed to miss out in Limerick, started a move that resulted in a fine opening goal. He drifted in dangerously from the left, and slipped a ball through to opposite winger Adam Wixted, whose deep cross found Marc Griffin at the far post. From a tight angle, Griffin volleyed brilliantly past Patrick Dunican in the Athlone goal. A clinical finish that showed what the often mercurial Griffin is capable of. The former Dundalk man was excellent all evening, and definitely gave Keith Long a welcome headache for Friday’s visit of Galway United.

The goal seemed to instill even more confidence in the home side and they dominated the remainder of the half. Wixted and Dylan Hayes were a constant threat down the right, and the axis of Robbie Creevy and Jake Hyland were well on top in midfield. Just before the half time whistle, Bohs deservedly doubled their lead. The ever-dangerous Griffin burst clear as Athlone tried to push out, and managed to squeeze his shot under the advancing Dunican to grab his second, and give the home side a comfortable half time cushion.

Athlone had their best period just after the break, but bar a few scrambles in the Bohs goalmouth, the dependable Lopes and his fellow defenders kept decent control. Griffin came close to grabbing his hat-trick on a couple of occasions, while his strike partner Jason Byrne struck the top of the bar with a looping header from a Jake Hyland free kick.

The third goal came in the 71st minute, and this time Man of the Match Griffin turned provider. His whipped corner found Jake Hyland, who powered a header past Dunican to remove any doubt about the result. Keith Long rested keeper Delany for the last few minutes, and also gave a competitive debut to Robert Duggan for the last 20.

Bohs now advance to the last 16 of the competition, where the Pool system means that they know they will face either Shamrock Rovers, Longford Town, or league new-boys Cabinteely.

Bohemians: Dean Delany (Lee Steacy 80), Dylan Hayes, Roberto Lopes, Stephen Best, Jason Caffrey, Adam Wixted, Robbie Creevy (Robert Duggan, 70), Jake Hyland, Karl Moore, Marc Griffin, Jason Byrne. Subs not used: Lorcan Fitzgerald, Paddy Kavanagh, Kealan Dillon, Anto Murphy, Adam Evans

Athlone Town: Patrick Dunican, Stephen Quigley, Michael Brown, Stephen Dunne, Ryan Doolin, Gavin Boyne, Gary Burke (Philip Gorman 74), Eric Foley, Sam O’Connor (Garbhan Coughlan 74), Garreth Brady (Thomas Mulroney 61), Marco Chindea. Subs not used: Shane Cusack, Aidan Collins, Daniel Purdy, Robbie Gaul.

BohemianFC.com Man of the Match: Marc Griffin

Long welcomed Anto Murphy, Derek Pender, and Dean Kelly into the side after recent knocks, and was treated to an opening goal that caught out most of the late arrivals into Jackman Park. Straight from the tip off, Keith Buckley pinged a crossfield ball toward Adam Evans which was cleared by Limerick’s Sean Harding. From the resulting corner, Dean Kelly’s flicked header cannoned off goalkeeper Conor O’Donnell, and fell kindly for Evans who simply bundled the ball in from less than a yard out.

The tempo to Bohs’ play was excellent from the word go – with Roberto Lopes and Kealan Dillon dictating the pace in the middle of the park. The midfield duo were too strong, too determined, and too skillful for Limerick, who were forced onto the back foot for the majority of the opening half. Limerick’s new look defence looked shaky, and the second goal was an unsurprising occurrence.

Evans was involved again, latching onto a lovely dinked pass from Dillon. Limerick left back Robbie Williams came across to clear, but his challenge ricocheted off of Evans, and rolled deliciously across the six yard line. Dean Kelly couldn’t believe his luck, and side-footed into the empty net from six yards. By this time, the entire away crowd had assembled into the temporary stand behind the goal, and the celebrations were as wild as you could imagine.

Shellshocked, struggling, and seemingly out of ideas already, Limerick employed a crass, long-ball style of play with no real coherence. Bohs’ centre-half partnership of Anto Murphy and Derek Prendergast seemed in complete control, and Dean Delany had little to do bar the collection of the occasional over-hit cross. The game fell into a perfect rhythm for Bohs, who could counter attack with menace whenever Limerick gave the ball away. A feature was Bohs’ ability to win 50-50 challenges, and this set up some decent counter attacking opportunities, but none turned into clear-cut chances. Dean Kelly had a free kick from 20 yards out, but shot straight at O’Donnell.

The game was ended as a contest just before the hour mark. The impressive Dillon was clumsily upended by Aidan Price about 25 yards out. Although only signed by Martin Russell in midweek, Price had a nightmare of a debut for the Blues, who looked to be a side bereft of ideas and cohesion. In contrast, Bohs were well organised, disciplined, and dangerous on the counter. Lorcan Fitzgerald stepped up to take the free, and curled a beautiful left-footed strike into the far corner, giving O’Donnell no chance.

Long had the luxury of taking captain Pender out of the firing line with more than a half hour to go. Bohs now face two home games in the space of four days. Athlone arrive in Dalyymount for an EA Sports cup tie on Tuesday before newly-promoted Galway United visit on Friday in the league. The boisterous away crowd in Limerick debuted a number of new chants, but the most apt was a simple rendition of Oasis’ 1995 album opener ‘Hello’. “It’s good to be back, it’s good to be back”, they sang. How true.

Limerick FC: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Harding, Paudie O’Connor, Aidan Price, Robbie Williams, Ian Turner, Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor, Ross Mann (Vinny Faherty, 46), Darragh Rainsford (Sean McSweeney, 78), Dean Clarke. Subs not used: Tony Whitehead, Tommy Holland, Kieran Hanlon, Val Feeney, Shane Costelloe.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney, Derek Pender (Dylan Hayes, 61), Derek Prendergast, Anto Murphy, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Paddy Kavanagh, Roberto Lopes, Kealan Dillon, Adam Evans, Keith Buckley (Robbie Creevy, 78), Dean Kelly (Jason Byrne, 73). Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Jake Hyland, Karl Moore, Marc Griffin

Attendance: 920

BohemianFC.com Man of the Match: Kealan Dillon

The manager considered his team “played well in patches” against Bray Wanderers in the Leinster Senior Cup. But he has been stressing the need for his players to take scoring chances.

“We should be more ruthless in front of goal. We created chances, particularly in the second half, and if we had taken those chances, we could have won by two or three.

“It will take composure from players in front of goal, and we need them to have that belief and confidence in themselves. But we have lads who are well used to scoring and we will need others to chip in.”

Long made up for a missed friendly last weekend, cancelled because of the weather, with a XI v XI match behind closed doors on Monday. “That was a small disruption to the programme, but we’re ready now.”

Bohemians will be missing three players through suspensions carried over from last season – Stephen Best, James O’Brien, and recently re-signed Conor Murphy, who comes back to Bohemians after a spell at Shelbourne.

Also out is long-term injured Dan Byrne, and Dave Mulcahy (calf injury), who is expected to return to training next week.

Team captain Derek Pender (knee) and Dean Kelly, who took a knock in a pre-season game, will face late fitness tests. Anto Murphy, who missed the Bray game through groin injury, is fit for selection.