“The next four games are huge. First Pat’s, and then away to Sligo and Derry in the same week, and Cork the following week. That’s the challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it.”

Long is keenly aware of the strengths St Patrick’s have in their squad. He saw them two weeks ago come from two goals and then a man down against Longford Town to earn a 2-2 draw.

“They’re as good a passing side as there is in this league. We know it will be a very difficult game on Friday. We’ve got to be disciplined. We can’t be easy to play through because they have quality players with clever movement that can punish any lapse in concentration.”

But if he expects improved results for St Patrick’s Athletic, Long is also aiming to get more from his players. “We can’t argue with results so far but there’s still room for us to be tidier with the ball and more creative in the final third.”

Dave Mulcahy’s return adds to the competition for places. He came on as a sub in the recent EA Sports Cup match against Longford Town and had a “slight reaction”. He was left out of the squad for the league game against the same opposition four days later but is now available for his first league start of the season.

Robbie Creevy has a knock and will face a late fitness test. Otherwise, Long has a full squad to choose from, with only long-term injury Dan Byrne (cruciate) missing. Byrne will return to contact training next week following a six-month lay-off, further strengthening Long’s hand in maintaining Bohemians’ defensive record.

“It’s a lonely place when you’re training on your own and not fully participating in training but Dan has worked extremely hard and done really well to get to this point. It’s a credit to him.”

SLIGO ROVERS v BOHEMIANS
Monday  April 20th, 7.45pm

• Departs Dalymount: 4pm
• Cost: €20

DERRY CITY v BOHEMIANS
Friday April 24th, 7.45pm

• Departs Dalymount: 2.30pm
• Cost: €20

At half-time the Bohs under-19 squad, who recently were crowed Northern Elite League champions, were paraded on the pitch and presented with their medals from a successful season by club president Matt Devaney.

The second half was dominated by Bohs. Kelly was played through on the left wing and it appeared as though he was in an excellent position to shoot for goal however he opted to dink a cross to the back post where ‘keeper Hunt palmed the ball away.

Longford then had their first meaningful chance of the game. Kaleem Simon slipped Davy O’Sullivan through on goal, albeit at a tight angle, and his shot was brilliantly saved by Dean Delany as it appeared to be heading for the top corner.

Adam Evans replaced Karl Moore and the youngster had an immediate impact. Kelly sprinted towards goal on the right flank and played a perfectly weighted ball to the back post where Evans applied a calm and collective finish to place the ball into the corner with his first touch of the game.

Even with a two-goal lead, Bohs continued to attack relentlessly. Kelly blocked a clearance from Hunt and the ball went agonisingly close to rolling into the empty goal. Soon after Evans played a neat pass to Fitzgerald in the box and his cross was cleared by the Longford defence.

The final chance of the game was for James O’Brien who picked the ball up forty yards from goal and unleashed a half volley which almost found its way into the bottom corner.

Victory saw the Gypsies jump two places up to second in the table behind champions Dundalk. Next up for Bohs is a Dublin Derby when Bohs host St Patricks Athletic at Dalymount Park next Friday evening.

“Against Drogheda, we showed great resilience and defensive organisation after going a man down within 20 minutes. To get the goal at the death and to come away with three points was very pleasing ,” said Long.

“We have a group of players that are demanding of each other both in training and in games and there is competition for places throughout the squad, and that’s what we want.”

Substitutes Keelan Dillon and Marc Griffin played vital roles in securing the three points in Drogheda, combining for the striker’s 88th-minute goal.

Dave Mulcahy may feature against Longford Town on Friday, as he comes back to full fitness. Stephen Best came off after a knock on Tuesday and is doubtful. With Derek Prendergast suspended, Long will have to reshuffle his back line.

The manager acknowledges his defenders’ and goalkeeper Dean Delany’s contributions to five clean sheets in six league games, and seven clean sheets in all nine competitive games this season. The team’s defensive record is a collective effort, he insists.

“Dean gets the credit, and rightly so. He saved a penalty up in Drogheda and has pulled off important saves in games,” said Long.

“But it’s not just Dean, defending starts from the front and the work-rate and effort of the players throughout the team has been very good.”

“The likes of James O’Brien was suspended for the opening game, while people like Conor Murphy haven’t got any game-time at all.

“Dave Mulcahy will return to the squad too for the the first time this season and we would like to feature him at some stage as well.”

Despite a settled team, competition for places remains fierce as evidenced by the fact two substitutes combined for the late winner for 10-man Bohs’ 1-0 win away to Drogheda on Friday that ensured the Gypsies remain fourth in the table.

“It wasn’t a great game but having had Derek Prendergast sent off so early in the game, we showed great character to stay in it for 70 minutes, save a penalty and get the win.

“It shows we have players on the bench who can make an impact. In a game that lacked quality, it was a bit of class at the end from Kealan Dillon and Marc Griffin to come away with a great three points.”

Bohs have no major additional injury concerns tonight, although Anto Murphy and Lorcan Fitzgerald are carrying minor knocks and may be rested. Mulcahy (calf) could feature from the bench, while Dan Byrne (cruciate) is still unavailable.

Referee Paul McLaughlin, however, adjudged that Prendergast had made the tackle and consequently he was shown a second yellow card much to the fury of the away bench and travelling supporters.

Bohs didn’t let this set back curtail their attacking threat though as Keith Buckley attempted a half-volley from 40 yards out.

Right on half-time, Drogheda were awarded a penalty. A ball over the defence was controlled by Stephen Maher and Maher and Anto Murphy both went over in the box. To the disbelief of the Bohs players and the large Bohs contingent, the linesman flagged for a penalty. This was in spite of Maher appearing to control the ball with his hand initially and then falling over.

However, Delany brilliantly saved Kavanagh’s spot-kick, which was struck to his right and the sides went in level at the break.

Bohs grew into the game in the second half despite their numerical disadvantage. First Robbie Creevy went agonisingly close with a header and then Anto Murphy tried a Juan Mata-esque scissor kick but alas that was closer to troubling the graveyard behind the ground rather than Schlingermann in the Drogheda goal.

Soon after, Dean Kelly was played trough on the right and his goal bound effort was cleared off the line.

Drogheda then stepped up the pressure although without causing too many problems for the Bohs defence. This pressure almost paid off for Drogheda in the 86th minute. A ball into the box was punched clear by Delany but only to the edge of the box and Lee Duffy’s lob was cleared onto the crossbar by Fitzgerald and unbelievably Kavanagh blasted the rebound over the bar.

Straight after, Griffin – a league winner with Dundalk last season – sent the away end into pandemonium.

He was played through on the right and fired the ball past Schlingermann at his near hand post and sparked scenes of jubilation amongst the travelling Gypsies. After a few anxious minutes the final whistle went and Bohs secured the three points.

Next up for fourth-placed Bohs is the double visit of Longford Town to Dalymount Park next week. Keith Long’s side face The Town on Tuesday in the EA Sports Cup and then again on Friday in the league.

Long will wait to see how his squad comes through Friday’s game in Drogheda before considering whether to make changes for the EA Sports Cup tie against Longford Town on Tuesday – three days before the two teams meet again in the league. “It’s not ideal that we have to play Longford Town twice, but that’s how the draw worked out,” he said.

Anto Murphy is available again, having missed the Shamrock Rovers game through suspension. 18-year-old Stephen Best came in for Murphy and won plaudits for his performance.

The ex-Crumlin United defender is one of the assets that Long will manage carefully. Best still has commitments to the under-19 side, now in the quarter-finals of the championship.

“Stephen is a player we have high hopes for. We have to manage his game-time for the benefit of Stephen and the team. He has a big-game mentality for someone so young and he has a good temperament. He fully justified his selection, making his full league debut against Shamrock Rovers,” the Bohemian manager said.

“If he continues to work hard, and keeps his feet on the ground, he can only improve as a player. But we are pleased with his progress to date.”

Dave Mulcahy (calf) and Dan Byrne (cruciate) remain sidelined through injury. But Mulcahy has returned to training and is already showing his influence on the players around him, according to Long.

Byrne is doing non-contact training, as he recovers from long-term injury. But he will not be rushed back, Long insists.