“The lads have been working extremely hard in pre-season. Their fitness levels are very good for this stage of the year and tonight is another test to see where they’re at in a match environment.”

Bohs step up their pre-season schedule next weekend with a double-header on Saturday and Sunday. First, the Gypsies host Bray Wanderers in the Leinster Senior Cup before a Bohs XI makes the short trip to Ballymun to face Sandyhill Shangan in another friendly.

Heary said: “Last week was all about getting players some game-time and getting them used to the speed of a match again. We’re stepping that up again now with stronger opposition tonight and against Bray next week. Between tonight and the two games next weekend, we’ll give everyone a run-out and get them really into shape.

“They’re looking good in training but it’s always different playing your first few games. It’s an adjustment at this stage of pre-season for players to get their match sharpness back – their timing, their reading of the game and all of that.”

The standout performance in the win against Swords Celtic was that of 24-year-old trialist Steven Beattie. The Skerries-born striker, who has spent the last few years with clubs in the USA, Canada and Iceland, netted a hat-trick having been introduced as a half-time substitute.

Heary conceded that he is looking to further strengthen up front, but insists he is happy with his options in other areas. He said: “Steven’s trained with us all week. Obviously that’s been hampered a little bit by the weather but he’s done well. We’ve only three strikers at the moment. Others can push up but it’s the one area where we would like to strengthen.

“We’ve spoken to a couple of people who have opted to go elsewhere for money reasons so if we do sign another striker, it’s going to have to be someone who really wants to be at Bohs and wants to play.

“We’ll have another look at Steven tonight – we need to see what he’s like against better opposition than Swords – and if he does well, we’ll sit down with him and his agent. If it’s right for us and right for him, we’ll try and sort something out.

“We’re not looking at any other positions. If we sign another striker, that’ll bring our squad up to 23, including the two under-19s – Jake Hyland and Lee Whelan – who are training with the first team and we’re happy with that.”

It was one of the new boys who had the Gypsies’ first real shot in anger on 16 minutes. A free-kick floated into the box had been half-cleared by Celtic’s defence, allowing left-back Jack Memery, signed from Shelbourne, to hit a vicious, dipping volley from outside the area which flew just wide.

Bohs grew more in confidence after this and Karl Moore began causing problems down the right-hand side for the Swords defence. It was no surprise, therefore, that he was heavily involved when Bohs broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. Good play from the former Manchester City youngster on the wing saw him pick out Craig Walsh inside the box. The ex-UCD midfielder’s blocked shot landed to the feet of Pender, who coolly finished with his left foot from just inside the area.

Swords seemed rattled by falling behind and a poor lofted backpass which goalkeeper Simon Dunne couldn’t clear fell to Patrick Kavanagh – the winger signed from Derry City should have scored with the goal at his mercy.

On 38 minutes, Dunne redeemed himself with a wonderful save from Moore,whose hooked shot from the right edge of the area seemed destined for the net before being dragged away by the net minder and out for a corner.

Bohs made seven changes at the break but this didn’t seem to disrupt their rhythm as Walsh shot just over with the second half barely a minute old. Next, Andy Mulligan found Dinny Corcoran in the box but his knock-down just failed to find Beattie. The striker, who has enjoyed spells in the US, Canada and Iceland, would soon get his name on the scoresheet, however.

On 58 minutes, the best moment of the game arrived. A disallowed goal from Celtic for a handball allowed Bohs to clear with a searching ball from defence. It eventually found its way to Beattie who, on the turn, hit a stunning scissor kick volley into the top corner of the net. A marvelous strike.

But Beattie was not done yet. Ten minutes later, a short corner found its way to sub Kevin Devaney, whose cross went through a melee of bodies untouched only to find Beattie creeping at the back post. The striker finished tidily from six yards to claim his second of the night.

Swords began to visibly tire at this point and striker Corcoran missed two glorious chances to put a real gloss on the scoreline. The first set up by Anto Murphy’s header and the second saw the former Drogheda and UCD man fluff his lines after nice interplay between Stephen Traynor and Mulligan.

Bohs would not be denied a fourth though and three minutes from time, Beattie completedhis hat-trick. The forward rounded the keeper and slotted home after a brilliant through ball by Traynor.

So, a good result and a nice run-out for boss Heary, who was able to use 21 players on the night. Bohs continue their pre-season itinerary against Waterford United on Friday evening at the R.S.C.

Bohemians: Lee Murphy (Dean Delany 45), Jack Memery (Philly McCabe 45), Aidan Price, Roberto Lopes (Lee Whelan 80), Derek Pender (Anto Murphy 69), Keith Buckley (Kevin Devaney 45), Ryan McEvoy (Stephen Traynor 45), Craig Walsh (Jake Hyland 65), Karl Moore (Andy Mulligan), Patrick Kavanagh (Steven Beattie 45), Jason Byrne (Dinny Corcoran 45).

Swords Celtic: Simon Dunne, Brian Finnigan, Mark Gibson, Keith Reilly, Niall Hudson, Adam Hanley, Paul Shields, Andrew Timmons, Gavin Whelan, Stephen O’Reilly, Daniel Smith.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

“It’s a massive prize, it was a great bit of news when my name was drawn out at Christmas time and picking up the car is an even better way to start the new year.”

Club officials Stephen Lambert and Daniel Lambert, as fundraiser-in-chief Jimmy O’Connor as well as first-team boss Owen Heary and midfielder Ryan McEvoy were all also in attendance at the presentation.

Tony added: “Everyone from the club has been great to me and everyone at Karmann was exceptionally helpful. We’d good craic up at their new showrooms when I was collecting the prize.”

Make sure to check out Karmann’s new HQ – ideally located at junction 5 of the M50 – where an excellent selection of the latest Volkswagen range are on display and available at the most competitive prices.

The other confirmed candidates are: Stuart Ashton, John Caulfield, Dave Connell, Jason Donohue, Eileen Gleeson, Tommy Griffin, Niall Harrison, Ollie Horgan, Robbie Horgan, Peter Hutton, Colin O’Brien, Don O’Riordan, Tom Mohan, Mick Neville, Sue Ronan and Leo Tierney.

We need to ensure we keep up the flow of match reports, match previews, post-match interviews, player profiles, history features, Twitter match updates, photographs, coverage of the under-19 team, and lots more.

We look forward to seeing you there. If you cannot attend but wish to contribute, please email Brian Trench bohspro@bohemians.ie and Luke O’Riordan luke@bohemians.ie with your details and skills.

Once again, everyone at Bohemians would like to thank the dedicated efforts of David Lane, Barry Comerford and Gary Keating for getting this important fundraising drive off the ground.

*Online price €12.50 to cover PayPal fees.

*Online orders can be collected from Dalymount Park OR delivered with additional P&P fee of €5.

CONFIRMED PRE-SEASON FIXTURES 

LEINSTER SENIOR CUP

2014 fixtures.

We need to ensure we keep up the flow of match reports, match previews, post-match interviews, player profiles, history features, Twitter match updates, photographs, coverage of the under-19 team, and lots more.

We look forward to seeing you there. If you cannot attend but wish to contribute, please email Brian Trench bohspro@bohemians.ie and Luke O’Riordan luke@bohemians.ie with your details and skills.