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All the latest club news and updates from Dalymount Park.

WE NEED A GAME ON OUR OWEN PITCH

BOHEMIANS v BRAY WANDERERS (Saturday February 15th, Dalymount Park, 5pm)

Bohemian boss Owen Heary is hoping weather conditions do not further disrupt his team’s pre-season schedule as the Gypsies look to victory in their first competitive game of the year, writes LUKE O’RIORDAN.

Continuing heavy rainfall and strong winds have resulted in widespread disruptions to the sporting calendar, but Heary is keen to get the green light to host Saturday’s Leinster Senior Cup tie at Dalymount Park.

His side have played just one full game – a 4-0 win against Swords Celtic at Scribblestown on February 2 – in pre-season so far as last Friday’s friendly against Waterford United was abandoned at half-time due to rapidly-deteriorating conditions at the RSC with the sides drawing 1-1.

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Heary said: “I won’t be pushing for Saturday’s game to be called off, that’s for sure. I want to us to play in Dalymount. We’ve barely played. We need games and we need games in Dalymount before the season starts.

“Weather hasn’t disrupted training too much. One day last week, it was pretty hectic so we only trained for an hour. It was the same on Wednesday – the cones were blowing all over the place – but we still managed to get a good 70 to 80 minutes out of it.

“But in terms of match practice, it has affected us. We played Swords and hoped to progress into the Waterford game but we went down and got 45 minutes where the pitch was flooded and the ball wasn’t moving. We didn’t get much match practice out of it but it was a good pre-season workout for the lads who played as it dragged the legs out of them.

“Fitness-wise, we’re where we want to be. There’s a few of them playing college games too, the likes of Roberto Lopes and Andy Mulligan. But as a team, we’re not there yet. We should be there before the start of the league season, which is the most important thing.”

With Sunday’s friendly against Sandyhill/Shangan also falling foul of the weather, Heary moved quickly to bolster his side’s preparations for the league season with a friendly against Tolka Rovers now scheduled  - subject to FAI approval – for Monday evening (IT Blanchardstown, 7pm).

“As soon as we heard Sandyhill’s pitch was unplayable, we started trying to organise a game for Monday,” he said. “If we get that and then play Shelbourne on Thursday, we’ll have three games in the space of a week, so we’ll have a good idea of where we’re at by the end of it.”

While the priority is getting his players primed for the league kick-off against UCD on March 7, Heary is still treating the Leinster Senior Cup – a competition Bohs have won a record 31 times – seriously.

He said: “It’s a challenge for us at this stage of the year. It’s a cup game, a one-off and we want to progress. But we’ll have to use it as part of our pre-season too and as a guide to where we’re at in terms of preparations for the league.”

Heary’s opposite number in the visitors’ dugout on Saturday is Alan Mathews and he is backing him to bounce back from his turbulent tenure at Shelbourne and rise above the controversy surrounding his appointment as successor to “Mr Bray”, Pat Devlin.

Heary, captain at Shels during Mathews’ spell there as assistant manager to Dermot Keely from 1998 to 2002, said: “Knowing Alan, he’ll get the team right and get the team prepared.

“Alan’s brought in some good players and kept some good ones too. Losing Jason Byrne to us and Kieran Marty Waters to Rovers is a blow but Alan’s proved himself before, winning cups at Longford and Cork. What happened at Shels happened but if you look at most managers, sometimes it doesn’t happen for them at one club but they move on and they do extremely well elsewhere.”

When these sides met in October, Bohs needed just a point with a game to go to avoid a relegation play-off but lost 1-0 at Dalymount Park before stumbling to safety as both clubs lost a week later. Heary said: “Dave Mulcahy was out, Anto Murphy was out and it was clear we struggled for experience in such an important game. Derek Pender and Dean Delany were the only experienced players out there.

“Games like that were the reason we added in the likes of Jay, Paddy Kavanagh and Aidan Price to give us a bit more balance between youth and experience. Hopefully the younger players learn from them and we won’t be fighting down the bottom of the table again.”

Heary has no injury concerns to report ahead of Saturday’s game, adding: “Training has been intense but the lads are looking after themselves. Nobody has taken any knocks but, then again, you can’t take too many knocks when you’re not playing matches!”

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MR GREEN BETS ON RED AND BLACK

Mr Green – the award-winning online casino – has been officially unveiled today as the new main sponsor of Bohemian FC after penning an innovative agreement with the club for the coming 2014 season.

Already an established brand across Europe, Mr Green has a presence in 10 markets with over 700,000 registered players, and is listed on the Swedish Stock Exchange. In addition to launching in Ireland, the brand has plans for further country launches in 2014.

Under the agreement, which was brokered by Fortitude Sport Management, Mr Green will provide significant financial and marketing support to Bohemian FC and the company’s logo will appear as lead sponsor on the club’s iconic red and black home jersey – a design that was decided by the club’s supporters – as well as their all-new GREEN away strip! In addition, Mr Green will sponsor the players’ work-wear for the season, with each player to wear GREEN boots.

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SANDYHILL/SHANGAN FRIENDLY OFF

Bohemians’ friendly with Sandyhill/ Shangan, originally scheduled for this Sunday, has been CALLED OFF.

BOHS AWAY TO UCD IN EA SPORTS CUP

Bohemians have been drawn to play UCD away in the first round of the EA Sports Cup.

The tie is scheduled to take place on Monday March 10 at the UCD Bowl – three days after the sides meet in the league opener at the same venue.

The Gypsies last won the competition in 2009 (pictured), beating Waterford United 3-1 in the final at the RSC.

EA SPORTS CUP FIRST ROUND: Pool 1 — Cork City v Limerick, Waterford Utd v Avondale Utd, (Byes: Cobh Ramblers and Wexford Youths). Pool 2 - Finn Harps v Cockhill Celtic, Galway FC v Mayo League, (Byes: Derry City and Sligo Rovers). Pool 3 - Crumlin Utd v Drogheda Utd. Shelbourne v Bray Wanderers, (Byes: Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers). Pool 4 - Athlone Town v Longford Town, UCD v Bohemians (Byes: Mervue Utd and St Patrick’s Athletic).

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CHEERS AND TEARS IN JAYO’S TWILIGHT YEARS

Jason Byrne hopes he will be in tears again when the time comes for him to leave Bohemians for a second time, writes FRANKIE LALLY.

Byrne began his first spell with the Gypsies in 2008 and picked up back-to-back league titles as well as winning the FAI Cup, EA Sports Cup and Setanta Sports Cup in his three seasons with the club.

He played – and scored – in his final game for the Gypsies in a 3-1 win over Dundalk at Dalymount Park in October 2010 and was visibly emotional as he walked off the pitch at the final whistle.

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WATERFORD FRIENDLY ABANDONED

WATERFORD UNITED 1 BOHEMIANS 1

Friday’s friendly with Waterford United was abandoned at half-time due to deteriorating conditions at a rain-soaked RSC.

Karl Moore had given Owen Heary’s side a fourth-minute lead before former Bohemians midfielder Shane Murray equalised from the penalty spot on 42 minutes after he was fouled in the box by Anto Murphy.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns, Conor Whittle, Thomas Whitty, Paddy Barrett, Gavin Kavanagh, Gary Delaney, Kynan Rocks, Shane Murray, Willie John Kiely, Vinny Sullivan, Paul Quilty.  Subs: Philip Drohan, Stephen Kenny, Thomas Croke, Peter White, Gavin O’Donovan, Matthew Connor, Shaun Corcoran, Patrick Fitzgerald.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender, Philly McCabe, Anto Murphy, Aidan Price, Kevin Devaney, Ryan McEvoy, Craig Walsh, Karl Moore, Paddy Kavanagh, Dinny Corcoran.  Subs: Steven Beattie, Roberto Lopes, Jason Byrne, Andy Mulligan, Jack Memery, Stephen Traynor, Lee Murphy.

RIGHT AS RAIN

WATERFORD UNITED v BOHEMIANS (Friday February 7th, The RSC, 7.30pm)

Despite regular downpours disrupting training this week, Bohemians boss Owen Heary says tonight’s trip to face Waterford United will go ahead as planned and provide the perfect opportunity to further assess his team’s pre-season progress.

The Gypsies kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 4-0 win against Leinster Senior League intermediate side Swords Celtic at Scribblestown on Sunday and Heary is looking forward to a tougher test against Airtricity League First Division opposition.

He said: “The weather down there hasn’t been too bad in the last couple of days. I’ve been talking to Rennie (Alan Reynolds) and he says the pitch is in good nick.

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“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.”

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SWORDS NO MATCH FOR STEVEN’S CUTTING EDGE

BOHEMIANS 4 SWORDS CELTIC 0

A goal from skipper Derek Pender and a hat-trick by trialist Steven Beattie ensured that Bohemians’ first fixture of 2014 resulted in a comfortable victory over Swords Celtic at Martin Savage Park in Scribblestown, writes CONOR HAYES.

Played on a bitterly cold Sunday evening, the game was lit up by half-time substitute Beattie who provided three expert finishes, all in the second half, to turn this one into a rout.

Bohs’ six off-season signings were included in the starting XI and Owen Heary’s men began the game confidently, looking to spray the ball around the park. They had much of the possession during this opening period but failed to create a chance against the Swords Celtic back-line, who started the game defending deep.

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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.

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OPPONENT CHANGE

Bohemians will now play Swords Celtic in a pre-season friendly this Sunday (Phoenix FC, Scribblestown, 6pm) instead of Tolka Rovers.

Full 2014 fixture list.

TONY’S CLEAN SET OF WHEELS

LONG-TIME Bohemian fan and member Tony Fitzpatrick expressed his delight when picking up the top prize from the annual Big Bohs Draw.

The top prize – a brand new Volkswagen Up! car – was provided for the draw in association with our official car partner at VW Karmann.

Tony was recently handed the keys to his stylish new set of wheels by VW Karmann brand manager David McGivern at the company’s impressive new showrooms on the North Road in Finglas.

Tony said: “I’ve been a fan since 1973 so I’ve been a member nearly all my life. Needless to say I was absolutely delighted to win the prize.

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“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.

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