“They’re two young players who were both very highly rated as schoolboys with Kealan going to Derby and Hull, and Dylan going to Derby too as well as playing for Ireland all the way through to under-19 level.
“They have great potential and are hungry to succeed. Having a tough season of League of Ireland football under their belts with benefit them coming here.”
Up front, Long has backed his former Bray Wanderers team-mate Jason Byrne, who turns 37 in February, to continue to deliver after he agreed to play on for another season.
“We’ve four strikers now and I guess you could call Jason the daddy of the group,” Long said.
“At his age, we know we have to manage how we use Jason but he’s shown he is still very capable and he can also school the other strikers in the squad.
“There is good competition for places up front now with Jason, Marc, Dean and Adam Evans. That’s what we need.
“Marc was something of a frustrated onlooker at times for Dundalk this season and a big move to Derry a couple of seasons back didn’t quite work out but he comes here still young and hungry now to start afresh.
“Dean’s experienced, has scored important goals and won league titles but now he’s at a stage of career where he wants and needs to be playing regularly. We think he can do that here and produce goals.
“Adam is young and will feel he has something to prove too. It’s a good mix.”
Bohs’ defence has been bolstered by the arrival of Fitzgerald, while Long hopes to add another centre-half and back-up goalkeeper in the coming weeks.
He said: “Lorcan’s had a frustrating two seasons at St Pat’s. But he’s a very talented player and well-schooled having been at West Ham when he was younger. He’s naturally left-footed, which give us something extra, and still only 25.”
As well as welcoming the new arrivals, Long also paid tribute to the foundations laid by his predecessor Owen Heary.
He hopes the continuity of re-signing 12 of the 2014 side and retaining the backroom team of Graham O’Hanlon, Fred Davis and Collie O’Connor will prove a big benefit.
“Owen dig a good job here and the onus is on us now to try and build upon the success of last season,” he said. “We’ve managed to keep some of the big players of 2014 – the likes of Derek Pender, Daniel Byrne, Roberto Lopes and Karl Moore and others.
“It’s important to have that bit of continuity in the team and staff. I’ve played with Graham and I know him well and Fred brings years of experience, so I’m looking forward to working with them both.
“The club have talented players coming through too – Stephen Best is an exciting prospect and we saw Jake Hyland break into the first team last season as well. There’s a good base there for young players to progress.”
Fans will get the chance to meet Long at a Q&A session at Dalymount Park on Friday December 12th. More details to follow.
Signed: Kealan Dillon (Athlone Town), Lorcan Fitzgerald (St Patrick’s Athletic), Marc Griffin (Dundalk), Dylan Hayes (Athlone Town), Dean Kelly (Shamrock Rovers).
Re-signed: Stephen Best, Keith Buckley, Dan Byrne, Jason Byrne, Dean Delany, Adam Evans, Jake Hyland, Patrick Kavanagh, Roberto Lopes, Karl Moore, Anto Murphy, Derek Pender.
