“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.”

Bohs boss Owen Heary kept faith with the same starting 11 that came away with a well-deserved point from the bowels of Tallaght, with captain Dave Mulcahy passing a late fitness test. Unfortunately for his Bohs side, they were never really in this game having been on the back foot from the 8th minute. Dundalk’s Darren Meenan fed Daryl Horgan all-too-easily on the edge of the Bohs box. The sandy-haired winger jinked once, found himself in a square-mile of space, and planted a solid left-footed shot that found the bottom corner.

Bohs huffed and puffed for the entire first half, but the only real threat they posed came from the hands of Anto Murphy. His long throws were the only occasion when Dundalk looked ruffled, and resulted in Bohs only opening of the game. In the 34th minute, his Delap-style arrow evaded the scrum on the six yard line, bounced high into the air, and fell to Jason Byrne at the back post. The veteran striker couldn’t quite get over his shot and skewed it horribly over the bar.

The second half started in almost an identical fashion as the first. Seven minutes in, and a quick Dundalk counter fell to Patrick Hoban’s feet 25 yards from goal. His one touch lay off sat perfectly for Richie Towell, who unleashed a superlative curling effort into the top corner. The large Dundalk contingent in the Des Kelly Stand knew it was in from the moment it left Towell’s boot, and it’ll definitely be one to drool over on Soccer Republic on Monday. However, Towell’s arrogant celebration was unnecessary as he preened like a boyband member in a leisurely yet-inflammatory jog front of the Jodi Stand.

Coming from 2 down against this Dundalk team was pretty much an impossibility. The underrated Andy Boyle was a colossus at the back, marshalling Jason Byrne with some ease. Byrne was visibly tired for much of the game, and may well be feeling the effects of a long run of starts. Dave Mulcahy, too, was clearly struggling from the outset, and failed to get stuck into the game. Next week sees a welcome break from league action, but a daunting trip to Thomond Park nonetheless. Defeat in the FAI Cup 2nd Round to Limerick doesn’t bear thinking about.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Anto Murphy, Dan Byrne, Aidan Price, Derek Pender, Dave Mulcahy, Craig Walsh (Kevin Devaney, 79), Paddy Kavanagh, Steven Beattie, Karl Moore (Dinny Corcoran, 59), Jason Byrne. Subs not used: Gavin Moore, Roberto Lopes, Stephen Traynor, Ryan McEvoy, Keith Buckley, Gavin Moore.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Chris Shields, Richie Towell, Daryl Horgan, Kurtis Byrne (John Mountney, 80) Darren Meenan, Patrick Hoban (David McMillan, 83). Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, Mark Rossiter, Simon Kelly.

MrGreen.ie Man of the Match: Daniel Byrne

The memory of securing a draw against Dundalk two months ago when goalkeeper Dean Delany gave a man-of-the-match performance also puts Heary’s team in a positive frame of mind facing the league leaders.

“Their recent results show you the calibre of the team. I said at the start of the season I thought Dundalk were the most likely to win the league. They have that extra hunger after last year’s disappointment,” said Heary.

“This is another difficult game, but one the lads are looking forward to. We can’t go out thinking we’ll sit back because, if you do that, Dundalk will punish you. We have to take the game to them, without leaving gaps they can exploit.”

The Bohemian manager may have a near-full hand to deal from, depending on how some players recover from knocks received last Monday against Longford Town. Captain Dave Mulcahy was out for that match and faces a late fitness test for a tight hamstring.

Defender Eoin Wearen (groin) is still sidelined but, with the progressive return to full match fitness of Anto Murphy, Bohemians have several options across the back line. Left-back Jack Memery has returned to training following college exams.

Dan Byrne topped an outstanding performance in defence against Shamrock Rovers with a goal on Monday. “He has been excellent for us, and he’s there on merit. He has kept most of the top centre-forwards in the league at bay,” said Heary.

The Bohemian manager hopes to be able to move Stephen Beattie up front following his several weeks in the right-back position. “He offers us a bit more in attack with the pace he has.”

Striker Dinny Corcoran returned from suspension to score against Longford Town and his return allowed Jason Byrne to be rested and also to “take the pressure off him”.

Eighteen-year-old Gavin Moore will again be on the bench as substitute goalkeeper. Stepping into the senior Bohemian squad to replace the departed Lee Murphy means he missed a cup semi-final 4-1 victory on Monday with his under-19 team-mates and will now miss a final on Friday.

The Bohs manager started with a relatively strong team – the same back five from Friday night’s draw with Shamrock Rovers were retained, and there was a welcome return for Dinny Corcoran following his 3 match suspension. Jake Hyland, who has been the competition’s star man so far, operated in the hole behind Corcoran, but was unable to continue his fine form from previous rounds. Longford fielded some familiar faces, with former Shamrock Rovers ‘heroes’ Stephen Rice, Pat Flynn, and Pat Sullivan in their side. With surface water still lingering on some parts of the pitch, controlling the game was difficult – but the Bohs midfield of Roberto Lopes and Stephen Traynor dominated possession without creating much until the 20th minute.

If Tony Cousins wasn’t already gray, his hair could easily have turned anyway following the sheer madness of his side’s two red cards. Just 19 minutes had passed when a lovely clipped ball from Anto Murphy sent Dinny Corcoran through. The Donabate man controlled well before rounding Chris Bennion. He applied the finish, but defender Noel Haverty decided to blatantly slap the ball away with his hand. The referee had no choice but to award the penalty and flash a red card. The Bohs fans’ chant of ‘super keeper’ followed Haverty down the tunnel, while his manager scolded him for making such a rash decision. However, he would have been soothed to hear the cheers of the home fans as Bennion saved Corcoran’s poorly struck penalty with his legs.

Bohs’ best outlet was down the left flank where Kevin Devaney was giving Pat Sullivan a torrid time. It’s a far cry from White Hart Lane to the City Calling Stadium, but Sullivan simply couldn’t handle Devaney’s pace. Backed up by the increasingly-comfortable at left back Derek Pender, one felt this would be the key to unlocking a stubborn Longford. Indeed, with just 2 minutes to the break, Devaney combined with Pender, allowing the latter to fire a dipping, in-swinging cross toward the 6-yard box. Jake Hyland got the faintest of touches first, but Dinny Corcoran got the final – meaningful touch with a flicked header into the far corner.

The complete gray-ing of Tony Cousins’ hair came on the hour mark. Kevin O’Connor had been booked for a silly lunge in the first half, but his overly-aggressive body check on Devaney was as needless as it was ridiculous. A second yellow was flashed, and O”Connor joined Haverty back in the dressing room. With 30 minutes remaining, the stage was set for Bohs to cruise to victory. Unfortunately, this did not materialise. Longford amazingly grew into the game once their second man was dismissed, forced a corner, and could easily have equalized but Etanda Nkolo dragged his effort just wide following a goal mouth scramble.

Despite the two-man advantage, chances didn’t really arrive for Bohs until Steven Beattie was introduced with 10 minutes remaining. He instantly whipped in an inch-perfect cross for Dinny, who volleyed disappointingly wide from 8 yards. Paddy Kavanagh was also introduced, but lost the ball no fewer than 6 occasions in his brief cameo. The small but vocal away support were audibly unimpressed with being only one goal to the good against 9 First Division men, but they were appeased somewhat with the clinching goal on 87 minutes. Again it was Pender the supplier as his deep free kick was floated all the way into the box where Dano Byrne rose highest to loop a header to the far corner. It was a frustrating night in truth – but a Cup win is a Cup win, and Bohs can now sit back and see who’ll join them in the semi final draw. More pressing for Owen Heary is a league game with current leaders Dundalk on Friday in Dalymount Park.

Longford Town: Chris Bennion, Pat Sullivan, Noel Haverty, Pat Flynn, Willie Tyrell (Don Cowan, 72), Sean Russell, Stephen Rice, Kevin O’Connor, David O’Sullivan (Glen O’Connor, 64), Etanda Nkololo, Peter Hynes (Gary Shaw, 60).

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Anto Murphy, Aidan Price, Daniel Byrne, Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Roberto Lopes, Stephen Traynor (Steven Beattie, 78), Kevin Devaney, Jake Hyland (Paddy Kavanagh, 70), Dinny Corcoran.

Bohemianfc.com Man of the Match: Derek Pender