“I suppose you might say we have a selection headache, but on the plus side we know that any player we choose is well capable of doing the same thing we’re doing, week-in and week-out,” he said.

Friday’s game brings together two teams with 100 per cent records in competitive football in 2014, and two managers who are at early stages in their careers. Heary and his Drogheda counterpart Robbie Horgan are classmates on the current FAI Pro Licence course.

“There’ll be bragging rights to play for,” commented Heary, who underlined his respect for what Horgan has achieved so far with victories over Dundalk in the Louth Cup and in the league.

“The two lads up front, Gary O’Neill and Fabio O’Brien, are a big threat,” said Heary, adding his admiration for O’Neill on his recovery from serious illness. “He’s a positive fellow and that stood to him.”

Heary is hoping Friday’s opponents might be “a bit leggy”, having played 120 minutes in the EA Sports Cup against Crumlin United on Monday. “But they’re a well-organised side and they have a big back four. We know it’s going to be a physical game,” he said.

The Bohemian manager insists that his team’s approach to Friday’s game will be similar to that adopted against Bray and UCD. “We don’t want the players going into this thinking at all negatively. We want them to be just as positive as against Bray and UCD,” he said.

“It’s our first home game and we want to give a good account of ourselves and get the crowd behind us. If the performance matches what we’ve done over the last couple of weeks, the people will keep coming and they’ll enjoy the matches.

“Drogheda winning last week is a good incentive to us to go at them, and take the game to them. We’ve shown we can limit our opponents’ scoring chances, and we are creating chances ourselves. We’re getting into the box, we’re getting crosses in, we’re getting goals and we aim to continue that.”

Jason Byrne came off the bench last Friday and scored within minutes for his second late goal in two games. He started Monday’s game and again scored, making it three goals in three games. According to his manager, he is “still getting his fitness levels up and getting his touch in, but he is a lot fitter than last year and the hunger’s still there”.

Defender Anto Murphy (hamstring) has returned to training but will not be ready for selection. Karl Moore (groin), Andy Mulligan (quad) and Lee Whelan (ankle) are out, while captain Dave Mulcahy (knee) faces a late fitness test.

The Members’ Bar will also be open from 12pm on Sunday March 16 for the Manchester United v Liverpool match (1.30pm)

Watch the Premier League clash in the comfort of Dalymount – we will also have further drink specials throughout the day.

Bohs responded in kind and five minutes later had their first effort as Darragh Reynor’s scuff shot was easily saved by UCD netminder Mark McGinley.

But two minutes later, the visitors took the lead as good play from Stephen Traynor in midfield saw him release Devaney down the left wing. The Sligo man skilfully cut inside and curled an excellent shot into the far bottom corner, the ball clipping the post on its way into the net. A goal every bit as good as Patrick Kavanagh’s wonder strike on Friday evening at the same ground.

UCD did not seem overawed by this setback and almost found a way back into the game in the 19th minute. Some tricky play by Cillian Morrison drew a foul from Bohs left-back Philly McCabe and the resulting free-kick, whipped in by Burke, found the diving head of Ian Ryan but he couldn’t keep the effort down and it sailed over the bar from six yards out.

The game lulled at this stage with both sides struggling to keep possession but again College nearly drew level after a wayward cross from Students skipper Samir Belhout almost found the top corner but was well parried away by Lee Murphy, who was making his competitive debut in the Bohs goal.

As the half got closer to its conclusion, Bohs came back into the game and more interplay between Traynor and Devaney resulted in Byrne being slipped through but his shot inside the area was pushed away by McGinley. The last action of the first period saw Keith Buckley link up with Ryan McEvoy outside the area but the winger’s shot was blocked.

Bohs began the second half with purpose as they looked to put the game beyond doubt. Again Buckley was involved as he charged down the right-hand side but he dragged his shot wide as 36-year-old Byrne waited free in the middle.

But the evergreen striker would get on the scoresheet in the 55th minute. Great play from Traynor on the right wing saw his pull-back only half-cleared by the UCD defence. The ball fell to Reynor, 30 yards from goal, and his drive could only be clawed by the UCD keeper directly into the path of Byrne, who finished easily inside the six-yard box.

The away side were in total control now and twice Devaney, who was a thorn in the Students’ side all evening, was set free down the left wing but each time his ball into the box was collected by McGinley with Byrne waiting to pounce. Bohs then seemed satisfied with their lead as they kept possession while creating little.

The game seemed to be petering out, but if early-season indicators are anything to go by, this Bohemians side have a knack for finding the net that their most recent predecessors have lacked. On 83 minutes, UCD’s Barry McCabe dwelt on the ball too long at the back allowing 18-year-old Bohs substitute Hyland to nip in and steal it – he then finished coolly, slotting the ball past McGinley with ease.

So a clear win for the men in red and black and the players who didn’t start in the first league match got their chance to show their worth to the manager.

Bohemians have now played three competitive matches, winning three times in three different competitions scoring 11 goals in the process. Tougher challenges lie ahead, beginning on Friday against Drogheda at Dalymount Park. But for now, Bohs fans have every right to feel optimistic about what the season has in store.

UCD: Mark McGinley, Gareth Matthews, Mark Langtry, Ian Ryan, Hugh Douglas, Michael Scott (Barry McCabe 78), James Kavanagh (Dean Clarke 78), Gary Burke, Dwayne Wilson (Chris Mulhall 34), Cillian Morrison, Samir Belhout. Subs not used: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Coyne, Colin Crowe, Thomas O’Halloran.

BOHEMIANS: Lee Murphy, Derek Pender (Stephen Beattie 54), Roberto Lopes, Dan Byrne, Philly McCabe, Keith Buckley (Paddy Collins 86), Darragh Reynor, Ryan McEvoy, Kevin Devaney, Stephen Traynor (Jake Hyland 80), Jason Byrne. Subs not used: Dean Delany, Karl Moore, Keith Mahony, Aidan Price.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Stephen Traynor.

REFEREE: Simon Rogers.

But Heary has hinted that he could ring the changes and give others a chance to stake their claim ahead of Friday’s home league clash against Drogheda United, saying: “We’ve a talented squad here this season. I could make eight or nine changes and no matter who we bring in, they’ll be good enough and will give it their all for the jersey.”

After such a comprehensive victory against the Students just three days ago, the Gypsies could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas tonight. But Heary doesn’t anticipate any such issue and said: “There won’t be any problem with motivation.

“The lads don’t need me to fire them up for a game like this – it’s a cup game, they all know they have to win it if they want to get closer to winning some silverware.”

The confident attacking style of play and quality of the goals scored on Friday earned his side great plaudits, but Heary is quick to praise the performances further back the pitch.

He said: “The goals were fantastic. Paddy’s was a cracker, Dinny’s was too and Jay’s only on the pitch a few minutes before getting on the scoresheet. But one of the most pleasing aspects for me was the clean sheet. The whole back five were fantastic.

“We were unlucky not to keep a clean sheet against Bray too. But for a penalty, we would have. We have to be strong at the back, so I’m delighted with how they’ve done so far.”

The Belfield Bowl isn’t exactly the best place to whip up a season-opening atmosphere, but an expectant and boisterous away crowd welcomed a green boot-clad Bohs on to the field. The opening 15 minutes were as cagey as an opening game can get, but gradually the away side started to assume control.

The opening goal almost came in the 17^th minute. Kavanagh drifted into space before releasing Steven Beattie, whose cross fell to Moore at the back post. Moore’s hooked effort came back off the post and Corcoran couldn’t quite net the rebound.

The middle period of the first half featured Bohs at their most dominant away from home in quite some time. Much of that impetus came from Craig Walsh, who stomped his way around the park in a Gary Deegan-esque manner. He aggressively broke up play alongside Dave Mulcahy, which allowed Kavanagh to weave his magic in the attacking third.

Walsh himself broke quickly onto a loose ball in the 19^th minute, but his eventual shot was well parried by Conor O’Donnell in the UCD goal.

Kavanagh’s influence was increasing, and more neat play from him on the left sideline led to a deep Jack Memery cross being headed against the crossbar by Corcoran. A Kavanagh shot led to a series of Bohs corners before the deadlock was finally broken on the 35^th minute.

When the former Derry man received the ball just inside the left touchline, there was little danger for UCD. However, one effortless shimmy later, he found a kernel of space just inside the angle of the 18 yard box. From there, he unleashed a fabulous curling effort that was postage stamped, delivered, and signed for in the top corner. It proved to be the first goal of the 2014 Airtricity League season.

Bohs couldn’t quite press on and get the second before half time, but 1-0 flattered the students at the break to be fair. Former Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan has a lot of work to do at Belfield, and most at Dalymount would send nothing but good will his way.

Every single game in the Airtricity League will feature a stage where the opposition is in the ascendancy, and this occurred in the first ten minutes of the second half here. UCD, as ever, have some neat footballers in their squad, and Dean Clarke flashed their first real half-chance over the bar on 49 minutes. However, just as the Students looked to be clawing their way back into the game, Dinny Corcoran struck.

The lone frontman had performed admirably all game, and finally got a deserved goal just after the hour mark. This one was all his own making – having shrugged off the ample frame of Ian Ryan, Corcoran checked back to beat the same man again before applying the finish.

The ball cannoned off of the right hand post, and agonizingly fell over the line. Even if it hadn’t, Beattie would have tapped in any scraps that came back out. Corcoran deserved his standing ovation when he was replaced by Byrne for the final five minutes.

Is there anything more that can be said about Byrne? When he scored with his first touch of the ball, there was nothing surprising about it! The bustling Beattie picked up the ball on the right wing, checked inside, and let fly with a powerful 25-yard strike that O’Donnell could only parry.

You Know Who was on-hand to head the rebound into the net for his 208^th goal in Irish football. His 87^th minute strike was also his record ninth opening round goal since the league split in 1985. Every Bohs player was roundly applauded off by a delighted away crowd.

Next up in the league for Bohs is a home clash with Drogheda United, who were impressive home winners against last season’s runners up Dundalk. Before all that, Bohs have to pack up their notes and head back to UCD for an EA Sports Cup clash on Monday night. A study of this performance would be the perfect homework assignment.

UCD: Conor O’Donnell, Michael Barker, Ian Ryan, Tomás Boyle, Gareth Matthews, James Kavanagh (Cillian Morrison, 78), Robbie Creevy, Chris Mulhall, Ayman Ben Mohamad (Samir Belhout, 60), Robbie Benson, Dean Clarke. Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Hugh Douglas, Gary Burke, Cillian Morrison, Dwayne Wilson, Michael Scott, Samir Belhout

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Aidan Price, Jack Memery, Stephen Beattie, Craig Walsh, Dave Mulcahy (Ryan McEvoy, 57) , Karl Moore (Keith Buckley, 76), Paddy Kavanagh, Dinny Corcoran (Jason Byrne, 85). Subs not used: Lee Murphy, Stephen Traynor, Kevin Devaney, Philly McCabe.

On the opening night of the season the easiest thing to say is that no bet should be too big. It’s a small league and an argument can be made that all the teams know each other very well, so as the season goes on punters will have to mix the obvious statistics together with their observations on certain teams before piling into Friday night bets.

The defending champions travel to Cork and at a best price of evens, make little or no appeal in the betting. Cork have improved their squad and even though the Saints have had a Setanta Cup game to improve their fitness, it’s doubtful they should be as short as they are to collect the away win here.

Drogheda host Dundalk in a game that many people will be expecting to finish in an away win. It’s worth remembering though, that Dundalk suffered a total meltdown at this same venue in the cup last season, having two men sent off in a madcap first half during which Stephen Kenny didn’t do a great job of keeping a lid on emotions. There are plenty of reasons why Dundalk might win the game but at 4/5 they are too short.

While it is always dangerous to read too much into one game, Bray looked abject in their LSC hiding at Dalymount recently. They could find the going very tough indeed this season, and with Jason Byrne having moved to the Home of Football, it’s hard to see much inspiration in their team. Thomond Park isn’t exactly hostile but it’s easy to see Bray struggling down there and 11/10 Limerick -1 on the Asian handicap is the bet of the week.

Our own trip to UCD is not a very inspiring opening fixture and while Owen Heary should send out a highly motivated starting eleven, Aaron Callaghan will feel he knows us very well and unless you got the 6/5 early quotes on the Gypsies, the away win isn’t a great bet.

Recommended: Limerick -1 Asian handicap, 1pt 11/10 (Bet365)