Like far too many of the league games at Dalymount this season, the home team were laboured and sluggish in the first period. Sticking with the attacking 4-4-2 formation that put Bray and Limerick to the sword, Heary set out his attacking intentions against the team that lost all 10 of their opening league games. However, movement was stifled by a hard-working three-man Athlone midfield, and Alan Byrne at the back seemed to be capable of dominating Dinny Corcoran and Steven Beattie in the air. Byrne was mopping up 99% of the disappointing long balls into the Athlone box, and Corcoran and Beattie cut frustrated figures.

Even against a dogged Town, it was a surprise when the opening goal came against the run of play. Athlone had barely ventured anywhere near Dean Delany when suddenly, a quick-fire break tore the Bohs defence open. Neat interplay between Kealan Dillon and Barry Clancy led to Clancy toe-poking the ball through to James O’Brien. Delany rushed out to close down the space, but O’Brien stayed cool and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Bohs almost replied instantly, but Keith Buckley’s dangerous cross flashed across the face of goal and wide.

The second half couldn’t have started worse for Bohs, and in particular for Jack Memery. The left back was making his first appearance since a nightmare against Shamrock Rovers, and was completely culpable for the Athlone second, which arrived just a minute after the break. Memery dawdled on a long punt, allowing it to bounce high before attempting a hooked clearance. Sean Brennan blocked down the Memery clearance, and was suddenly bearing through on the right flank. His cross was identical to Buckley’s, and Philip Gorman hit the post sliding in at the back. However, the rebound fell straight to James O’Brien, who grabbed his second to send the small band of travelling support wild. Remember, Athlone had won a single point from 8 away games before last night.

Heary’s response was immediate. Kevin Devaney replaced Buckley on the right, and the effect was immediate. He showed a pace and power that Buckley lacked, and immediately turned the Athlone defence toward their own goal. It took just three minutes for him to grab Bohs’ first. He started a run from about thirty yards out, beat two Athlone defenders, and was suddenly in on goal. His left footed shot was somewhat scuffed, but squirmed underneath Paul Skinner and into the net.

Cue referee Paul McLaughlin’s entry into the affair. Bohs’ first penalty appeal was 50-50 as Prendergast and Beattie clashed. McLaughlin ruled that Prendergast got a touch on the ball, but Beattie, the Bohs bench, and the Jodi Stand were incensed. The second appeal was much more clear cut. A Memery cross bounced up at Alan Byrne, who dipped his arm and clearly made contact. with his bicep. Again, McLaughlin was having none of it, to the Bohs fans chagrin.

The equaliser came with more than enough time to get a winner. 77 minutes had gone when Anto Murphy’s looped header entered the box. Alan Byrne, immaculate all evening, missed his clearance, allowing Dinny Corcoran with a free shot from 6 yards. Dinny notched his 12th goal of the season, and surely there was only one winner from here? The third and final penalty claim proved to be the one – this time it was Neil Harney who hand-balled, in a similar fashion to Byrne just minutes earlier. McLaughlin was still in no mood to give it, but the linesman flagged, and Bohs had the chance to finally win a league game at Dalymount for the first time since September 2013. Harney got a second yellow card for the offence, and marched off. However, Dinny’s penalty was weakish – low and not sufficiently into the corner. Skinner palmed it away easily, and the ball was cleared for a corner.

Disappointment at not winning, but relief at not losing was clear. Bohs remain 9 points clear of bottom of the table Athlone, but with Champions St. Pats and title-chasing Cork City the next two visitors to Dalymount, the search for an elusive home league win may continue.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Anto Murphy, Dano Byrne, Aidan Price, Jack Memery, Keith Buckley (Kevin Devaney 54), Roberto Lopes, Eoin Wearen, Paddy Kavanagh (Karl Moore, 83), Steven Beattie, Dinny Corcoran. Subs not used: Ryan McEvoy, Jason Byrne, Jake Hyland, Craig Walsh, Gavin Moore.

Athlone Town: Paul Skinner, Stephen Quigley, Derek Prendergast, Alan Byrne, Sean Byrne, Kealan Dillon, Mark Hughes, Sean Brennan, James O’Brien (Ian Sweeney 84), Barry Clancy (Neil Harney 68), Philip Gorman. Subs not used: Derek Doyle, Graham Rusk, Thomas Mulroney, Dean Mahon, Jason Marks.

Mr. Green Bohemian Man of the Match: Kevin Devaney

Pic by Eddie Lennon – eddielennonsportingimages.com

“So, it’s important that we are well tuned in, and that we do our job and aren’t relying on things happening elsewhere.”

Heary took almost as much satisfaction from the clean sheet as from the five goals against Bray two weeks ago. That decisive victory was also achieved without three key players, captain and vice-captain Dave Mulcahy and Derek Pender, and Steven Beattie, Man of the Match in the previous week’s cup tie.

“We went into the Bray game very positive after the cup result against Limerick. We controlled the game from start to finish. We got into them high up the pitch. With some players out, others came in and stepped up to the plate.”

The manager commended his players’ performances from Kevin Devaney and hat-trick scorer Dinny Corcoran up front, to Eoin Wearen and Roberto Lopes who were “excellent in the middle”, to Jack Memery who returned to left back after a long time, and to Dean Delany who made a “tremendous save” at 2-0.

Heary is focused on securing and maintaining at least a mid-table position for Bohemians. He is not setting points targets for groups of matches but rather seeking to get maximum return from each match as it comes up.

“The target this week is to beat Athlone. We’ll take one game at a time. I know it’s a cliché but we have to do it this way, with the position we’re in. But if we can get a few wins, it could turn into a very good season for us.”

The break in the league campaign has brought its gains and losses, according to Heary. It allowed some players to take a holiday but, equally, it exposed them to renewed injury risks as they returned to intensive training after a week out.

Anto Murphy (hamstring) and Steven Beattie (ankle) face late fitness tests, as do Derek Pender (quad) and Dave Mulcahy (hamstring) who are still recovering from pre-break injuries.

Like other football fans, the players have been absorbed in the World Cup finals and discussing the various tactics and strategies applied. Heary has noted the shift from the preferred approach of recent years, holding the ball at length and building up slowly, to a more direct movement of the ball from back to front.

“There’s more emphasis on attack. They’re going the quickest route to goal and playing the pressure game. It’s interesting to watch and see the different scenarios,” he commented.

“Players are looking at these things and they can see, for example, how Chile are pressing high up the park.”

On a rest day in the World Cup Heary is hoping for Bohemian fans to turn out in big numbers to help the team secure that elusive home win and build new momentum for an improved second-half of the season.

A bit like Dublin buses, the goals decided to all come in quick succession – and Dinny doubled Bohs’ lead after just 10 minutes. A precision Paddy Kavanagh corner was knocked down by Anto Murphy, and Corcoran slid the ball home to send the visiting fans wild for a second time.

Eoin Wearen and Roberto Lopes continued their midfield partnership, and it was Wearen who created the third on 26 minutes. His driving run and beautiful through ball left Corcoran one-on-one with Bray keeper Shane Redmond, and he made the decision to take Dinny out. Referee McLoughlin had little choice but to send the Seagulls’ shotstopper off. Dinny dusted himself down and grabbed his hat-trick, a dream first half for the Donabate man. On the stroke of half time he nearly had a fourth, but his shot could only be turned into his own net by Robert Maloney.

4-0 up at half time, it was inevitable that Bohs would take their foot off the gas in the second half, perhaps thinking about their two-week holiday already. Positive performances included the return of Jack Memery, the increasingly solid partnership of Dan Byrne and Aidan Price, and the continued improvement of Eoin Wearen. Keith Buckley is also staking his claim for a regular starting spot, and performed excellently here. He completed the rout on 73 minutes with a neat finish from Paddy Kavanagh’s cross. Bohs can now put their feet up, watch some of the World Cup, and relax in the relative heights of 9th place. Athlone Town await at the end of the break, and a chance to continue a two-game winning streak.

Bray Wanderers: Shane Redmond, Shane O’Connor, Eric McGill, Danny O’Connor, Robert Maloney, Adam Hanlon (Shane Byrne, 74), David Cassidy, Dean Zambra, Shane O’Neill, David Scully (Jake Kelly 46), Ismahil Akinade (Gavin Sheridan 25). Subs not used: Cillian Byrne, Niall Cooney, Michael Brown, Gary Curran.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Anto Murphy, Aidan Price, Daniel Byrne, Jack Memery (Jason Byrne, 79), Paddy Kavanagh, Roberto Lopes, Owen Wearen, Keith Buckley, Dinny Corcoran (Jake Hyland 84), Kevin Devaney (Gavin Moore 74). Subs Not Used: Stephen Traynor, Craig Walsh, Ryan McEvoy, Karl Moore.

BohemianFC.com Man of the Match: Dinny Corcoran

“I hope we can take last week’s hard work into the Bray game. We’re not conceding many goals and, if we can take our scoring chances, we will move up the table.”

Bray will be “hurting” after their defeat last weekend in the FAI Cup, Heary believes. “It’s going to be a difficult game but, if we go there positive, we can get the points.”

Friday’s game brings Heary back to the scene of his first match as Bohemian manager in July 2013. Heary watched that game from the TV gantry, as he was banned from the touch-line. Bohemians won 3-1 to lay the foundations for their survival in the Premier Division.

“I’d happily sit in the gantry again as long as we come away with the three points,” said Heary.

His team beat Bray 5-1 early this season in the Leinster Senior Cup and drew 1-1 at Dalymount in the league playing 70 minutes with ten men.

Bohemians come to Friday’s game with doubts over the availability of Derek Pender (quad injury), who was substituted at half-time in Thomond Park, and of Dave Mulcahy (hamstring), who replaced him.

Jason Byrne (shoulder injury) has missed training since being an unused sub against Limerick but could face his old club if he completes a full training session on Thursday evening.

Steven Beattie misses Friday’s game due to a one-match suspension (yellow cards) following his goal-scoring and Man of the Match performance against Limerick, playing up-front alongside Dinny Corcoran.

Subject to Byrne being available, Heary may well opt again for a two-man strike force. Meanwhile, he has brought in another attacking option with the signing of Adam Evans (20), an ex-Belvedere player and under-19 international, who was most recently with Inverness Caledonian. He has been training with Bohemians and will be available when the transfer window opens.

Facing into the second half of the season Heary takes comfort from the adaptability of his players, knowing that they may be called on to cover for injuries or suspensions in various positions. Eoin Wearen and Roberto Lopes were effective in mid-field last week, though more usually featuring in the back four. Beattie has provided cover at right-back and proven himself a potent attacker.

“We don’t have a big squad and when we’re down one or two bodies it affects us more than other clubs. But we have good young lads who are fully committed and we need to keep them focused.”

Heary made 4 changes from the well-beaten side of last Friday, with Corcoran, Wearen, Lopes, and Keith Buckley replacing Jason Byrne, Craig Walsh, Dave Mulcahy, and Karl Moore. In front of a paltry crowd of just 842, Bohs made the most of the summertime atmosphere to largely negate Limerick’s threat. The Gypsies had the better of the opening exchanges, and should really have been in front after 14 minutes. Steven Beattie showed great pace to beat Shaun Kelly, and his byline pull-back was enticing. Keith Buckley stepped over the ball nicely to leave Dinny Corcoran with a simple tap-in from 6 yards, but the striker somehow contrived to skew his shot off the post and wide.

Limerick themselves were cursing the woodwork a little over a minute later when a scramble from a long throw fell to Shane Duggan, but his hooked effort cannoned up off the crossbar and was cleared. That was as good as it got for the home side in the first half as Bohs slowly began to dominate. The lead goal was well deserved, and came 10 minutes from the half. Operating from the left flank, Paddy Kavanagh put in a lovely out-swinging cross that fell kindly for the on-rushing Beattie, who finished brilliantly from 14 yards on the half-volley. Barry Ryan had no chance, and Beattie celebrated passionately in front of the jubilant away fans.

The second half started just as positively for Bohs, and they should have had a second within 5 minutes. A swift counter attack fell to Buckley on the right wing, who put in a nice square ball for Corcoran on the penalty spot, but the striker again scuffed his shot, this time well wide. If Corcoran is a confidence player, it must be very low at the moment. Happily, the misses didn’t matter as Bohs got the comfort-goal on the hour mark. Another swift counter attack clearance set Beattie free down the right, and his acrobatic hooked pass sent Paddy Kavanagh through on goal. Kavanagh just about got the ball around the diving Ryan, steadied himself, and squeezed the ball past Stephen Folan on the line. Kavanagh also came away with a goal and an assist which will delight his manager.

With 20 minutes to go, Limerick struck back. Rory Gaffney flattened Dan Byrne in the build-up, which meant he was free to be slipped in on the left channel. His curling shot could have been saved by Dean Delany, but the keeper’s hand wasn’t strong enough. Although the goal might have galvanised the home side, Owen Heary’s men were solid at the back and in midfield. Happily for their nerves, no clear cut chances arose for the home side in the last 20. There was no doubting the Man of the Match as Beattie continuously relieved pressure with lung-bursting runs and terrific hold-up play. Strangely marooned at right back for much of the early part of the season, the Skerries man showcased his pace and power in a terrific display. With just 7 Premier Division teams left in the last 16, Bohs can dream of an FAI Cup run to match their EA Sports Cup form. Next week sees a return to League action and a crunch game with Bray Wanderers on the seaside.

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan, Shaun Kelly, Stephen Folan, Samuel Oji, Shane Tracy (Ross Mann 25), Patrick Nzuzi (Kieran Hanlon, 89), Shane Duggan, Darragh Rainsford (Tony Whitehead, 63), Danny Galbraith, Tam McManus, Rory Gaffney. Subs Not Used: Shane Cusack, Michael Leahy, Shane Costelloe, Barry Sheedy.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender (Dave Mulcahy, 46), Aidan Price, Roberto Lopes, Dan Byrne; Eoin Wearen, Anto Murphy, Keith Buckley (Craig Walsh, 77), Paddy Kavanagh; Steven Beattie (Kevin Devaney, 88), Dinny Corcoran. Subs Not Used: Gavin Moore, Stephen Traynor, Jason Byrne, Karl Moore.

“You can see how it is hurting them that we are not getting results. I can understand as well fans’ frustration, but they need to keep believing and getting behind the team. I have no doubt that things will turn for us.”

The Bohemian manager concedes his team were outplayed against Dundalk last Friday. This was no near-draw or near-win but the squad have picked themselves up from that defeat, he said.

“We didn’t have the intensity we need. We didn’t do enough to take something from the game. We had a game plan going out and we didn’t stick to it. After that early goal the game plan changed because we were chasing the game,” said Heary.

“This week’s preparations have been better because we had longer time. I have no doubt that the intensity will be there for the Limerick game. This and the Bray game before the break next week are two big cup games in my opinion. We have to go into every game as if it was a cup final.”

Making his side difficult to defeat was one of his targets and he takes some comfort from having let in less than half the number of goals conceded by three other sides around them in the league table. “That’s part of what we need to continue doing, but we need to dominate games and take our chances,” he insisted.

Bohemians’ two most senior players Dave Mulcahy (hamstring) and Jason Byrne (back strain) face late fitness tests. But Eoin Wearen (groin) has returned to training, meaning there is adequate cover at the back and Steven Beattie can again be played in attack.

Heary has identified some strikers as possible recruitment targets in the transfer window. “With our budget, they’re going to be young lads, not fellas looking for this and that, but with hunger.”