The coaching staffs of the two clubs will also cooperate to identify outstanding talent who may flourish in either the League of Ireland or the Premier Development League.

The two clubs will provide exposure for one another, including sale of merchandise, in their respective markets. They are also considering a friendly between the two sides.

“This link-up with Baltimore Bohs, like our recently announced partnership with the North Dublin Schoolboys’ League, opens up exciting development opportunities for players,” said Bohemian FC president Matt Devaney. “We aim to offer various avenues through junior ranks into senior football.

“We look forward to fruitful relations with the directors, players and supporters of Baltimore Bohemians.”

The Baltimore Bohemians compete in the Premier Development League, which serves as the starting ground for a majority of professionals in the US. Baltimore also participates in the US Open Cup, a 100-year-old competition similar to the FAI Cup.

The club was founded in 2011 by the Angelos family, owners of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles, and the Tirabassi family. The club’s crest features a tribute to the Dublin Bohs’ famous black and red stripes.

The first team is comprised of the best young talent in the Baltimore area, traditionally a hotbed for football in the US. After the club’s first season, two of the Bohs’ players signed professional contracts with Major League Soccer (MLS) and North American Soccer League (NASL) sides.

After an initially cagey opening quarter, Dundalk began to turn the screw. Dean Delany saved brilliantly at his near post following a powerful snap-shot from Kurtis Byrne. Unfortunately for the Bohs net minder, that good work was undone when Dundalk grabbed the opener on 27 minutes. Keith Buckley surrendered possession on the right wing and Dane Massey’s looped cross was misjudged by Delany – who could only flap as the ball cannoned off Dave Mulcahy, Pat Hoban, and dribbled into the net.

Bohs’ only real clear cut chance of note fell to Conor Murphy who wriggled his way into the Dundalk box on 35 minutes, however the home side’s bouncy astroturf pitch did him no favours as he couldn’t quite get it down before prodding wide. Dundalk finished the half stronger with a series of free kicks and corners hemming Bohs into their own half.

The opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half yielded little for both teams before a suicidal ten minute spell signalled a change in attitudes both on and off the pitch. First, the usually dependable Dave Mulcahy made what could be described as a schoolboy error of misjudging a floating ball allowing Hoban clean through on goal. The ball bounced kindly for the Dundalk striker who had the relatively simple task of nodding over the on rushing Delany to double the Lillywhites’ advantage. Just 7 minutes later, the game was all but done following another goalkeeping mistake from the ex-Shelbourne keeper. Hoban was a menace to Bohs all night – but there seemed to be little danger when the ball fell to him on the right hand side of the box almost at the by-line. His cross-cum shot was relatively powerful, but caught Delany out at his near post, and the keeper could only bat it into the top corner of his own net.

The atmosphere within the Bohemians fans turned from that point onwards, with manager Callaghan receiving the brunt of their criticism. To compound the misery, captain Owen Heary produced a moment of madness with 20 minutes remaining. Playing at right back, the 37 year old had endured a nightmare of a game – and his groin-high stamp on Hoban gave referee Neil Doyle little option but to show a straight red card. He will miss vital games against Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United; games where his experience could have come in handy.

Bohs ironically began to play a bit following the dismissal of Heary. The introduction of Chris Lyons, and new signings Dinny Corcoran & Lorcan Shannon added some freshness to the already defeated team.

Very few fans applauded the Bohemian players off the pitch, which is a very rare occurrence. To his credit, Bohs goalkeeping coach Fred Davis came out to reason with a group of supporters who were waiting at the side of the pitch at the end of the game. He reiterated Callaghan’s mantra of “young, inexperienced players” and pointed to the crucial next 3 weeks and games against relegation rivals. With Shelbourne closing to within a point at the bottom of the table, next week’s game against Bray becomes absolutely do or die for the struggling Gypsies.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan(69), Andy Boyle, Mark Rossiter, Dane Massey(Brian Gartland 53); Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell©; Darren Meenan, Francis McCaffrey(John Dillon78); Patrick Hoban, Kurtis Byrne. Subs not used: Vinny Faherty, Jordan Keegan, Brian Gartland, Aaron Shanahan.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Owen Heary©, Dave Mulcahy, Derek Pender, Luke Byrne; Michael Barker, Keith Buckley, Shane Murray(Lorcan Shannon 58), Karl Moore; Conor Murphy(Chris Lyons 76), Dave Scully(Daniel Corcoran 71). Subs not used: Roberto Lopez, Kevin Devanney, Santiago Folbo, Greg Murray.

“Goals are hard to come by in any league. Look at what Paris St German are paying Ibrahimovich to make a difference for them. It’s been a problem for us, last season and this season but goal-scorers are few and far between.”

Having signed Conor Murphy in the last fortnight, Callaghan is also looking at signing other forwards.

The series of three friendlies in three weeks, starting with Derby County next Saturday (kick-off 3pm), gives the Bohemian manager opportunities to look more closely at potential recruits.

“We’ll give most of the lads who play on Friday game-time against Derby and Bradford, so they can test their skills against opposition of this kind,” Callaghan said.

“But we‘ll bring on some of the lads who have not been getting so much match experience. Plus, we have a couple of players coming in from England and some others we’re having a look at, from the Leinster Senior League and one lad coming back from America.”

Callaghan expects to sign some players, especially with a view to strengthening the attack. In defence, he notes his team has “paid heavily” for errors, but he is full of praise for how Roberto Lopes and Luke Byrne have taken on their responsibilities as centre-backs.

“They’re only in their second season in a very tough league. They are fantastic young footballers and they are going to be very good in the future, whether they are playing in Ireland or the UK,” he said.

Callaghan must plan for Friday without Stephen Traynor (ankle injury) and Andy Mulligan, on duty with the Ireland team at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia, where the Irish have advanced to a quarter-final against France on Friday afternoon.

Ciaran Nangle and Ryan McEvoy (ankle injuries) are also likely to be ruled out for the Dundalk game.

Owen Heary and Dave Mulcahy returned to the bench last weekend after recovering from a hip injury and a virus, respectively.

Please note that members are entitled to free entry to these games but, as cross-channel friendlies are important fundraisers for the club, we would encourage members to make a voluntary donation of €5 at the members’ stile.

Season tickets are not applicable to these games.

Meanwhile, travelling Rams are invited to enjoy the hospitality of our bars at Dalymount Park, which will be open on matchday from 12pm.

You won’t find better value pints in the area, and our special matchday beer offer is pints of Fosters for €3.50!

Home and away supporters are also encouraged to stick around after the game for some post-match entertainment, when Rob Smith will be performing Stone Roses and Oasis classics live!

They will be joined by 300 Derby County fans who are making the journey to Ireland for this first match of Derby’s pre-season programme.

Fellow internationals Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick will be in Nigel Clough’s squad for the visit, along with summer signings, Lee Grant (from Burnley), Chris Martin (ex-Norwich City), Johnny Russell (ex-Dundee United) and Craig Forsyth (ex-Watford)

“It also gives us a chance to bond with the new lads coming in, so we are all really excited and looking forward to the trip,” said Sammon.

Manager Clough says he sees plenty of encouragement that Derby can improve on last season’s tenth place in the Championship and challenge for the top six this time.

“The quality of players is certainly as good as we’ve had in five years and the spirit, along with the type of characters, really does provide an element of excitement for next season,” the manager told the Derby County web site.

“For what we’ve got available we think we have a cracking squad.”

Derby will open their Championship campaign on 4th August at home to Blackburn Rovers. These two clubs are among the founder-members of the Football League which celebrates its 125th anniversary this coming season.

Derby County’s friendly with Bohemians is the first of three on successive Saturdays. On 20th July (kick-off 1pm) Bradford City end a week-long stay in Ireland with a match against Bohemians.

Former League of Ireland player Carl McHugh signed a new one-year contract with Bradford City earlier this month. He joined the club a year ago, and since then got his first caps at under 21 level for the Republic of Ireland and started 22 games for Phil Parkinson’s team. He also played a key part in City’s run to the Capital One Cup Final.

Bohemians have played Derby County four times since their first meeting in 1900, when the visitors won 4-0 win in front of a crowd of 2,000. In 1912, County won 5-1 at Dalymount Park, returning in 1934 to win 6-3.
Derby’s last visit was on 10th May 1950 when they faced a Bohemian Selected XI and improved again on their goal tally with a 7-3 win.

Bohemians and Bradford City have met twice before, playing home and away friendlies a century ago. The Gypsies visited Bradford in March 1913, travelling with several guest players. They lost there 3-2 and, the next month, drew 2-2 when Bradford City came to Dalymount Park.

On Saturday 27th July Bohemians welcome Irish League side Glenavon to Dalymount for the third of this series of friendlies (kick-off 3pm).

Bohs winger and IT Carlow student Andy Mulligan (pictured), who netted against China, was sprung from the bench against Mexico as a 68th-minute replacement for UCD’s Cillian Morrison.

Another former Gypsy, midfielder Correy Davidson (Pearse College Crumlin/Carrick Rangers), played the full 90 minutes.

Manager Danny Crowley said: “It was a monumental effort against a top class team, I couldn’t be any happier with the lads, their attitude has been unbelievable since the start of the tournament.

“We have such a great group of lads and staff. I have never been prouder of a team, this is such a big achievement.”

Ireland: Craig Sexton, Tom King, Dylan Mernagh, Jamie Carr, Reece McEnteer, Darren Forsyth, Paul Malone, Raymond Foy, Correy Davidson, Cillian Morrison, Josh O’Shea. Subs: Johnny Addis for Davidson (52), Andy Mulligan for Morrison (68), Brian Nolan for Forsyth (74), Carl Forsyth, Barry O’Mahony, James Scallon, Niall Corbett, Paul Andrews, Tristen Dent.

Group results: Ireland 2 Russia 1, Ireland 2 China 2, Ireland 0 Mexico 1.

For updates on Ireland’s progress, please follow thirdlevelfootball.ie on Facebook or Twitter.

The opening exchanges were particularly cagey, with Callaghan’s side clearly desperate to avoid conceding yet another early goal. Iraqi full back Albehadlie’s positional sense was questioned, but the 19 year old showed some real tenacity and willingness to compete, which is going to be the key to the obvious relegation battle that the Gypsies now find themselves in. The first opportunity fell to Limerick dangerman Bossekota, whose low shot was well saved by the feet of the improving Dean Delany.

Karl Moore was outstanding for Bohs down the right flank, and he linked up well with Shane Murray to set up Bohs’ first real opportunity. Murray’s lovely floated cross found debutant Murphy, but his header from 12 yards was miscued wide. There was a break in play as referee Paul Tuite was informed that Bohs full backs Michael Barker and Albehadlie were both wearing number 22. Albehadlie was given the correct no. 20, and the Jodi Stand collectively shook their heads. Perhaps the confusion was down to the fact that Bohs were bizarrely wearing white against a team in all blue. With the team in such dire form, the iconic red and black jersey is what the players should be playing for, not a generic away strip.

Moore had Shane Tracy haunted all night until he was bizarrely switched  to the left side in the second half. He disposessed Tracy and fed a lovely pass through to Murphy who had almost too much time, sliding a tame cross into Barry Ryan’s hands. Derek Pender was playing in a midfield role, and he had a great opportunity from 18 yards. His shot stung Barry Ryan’s palms but no more. Limerick had the last opportunity before the half with Darragh Rainsford forcing another smart stop from Delany.

Moore jinked inside Tracy again on 63 minutes but his shot flew wide. Almost instantly, Galbraith’s long ball caught the Bohs defense at sixes and sevens, and Bossekota was suddenly through on goal. The French-born forward may have handled the ball to control it, but steadied himself to fire expertly past Delany. Just the kind of luck that Bohs didnt deserve.

Kevin Devaney, Dave Mulcahy and Dave Scully were thrown on to try and save the game for Bohs, and the increase in pressure started to yield results. Again, Moore was involved, setting up Murphy for a goalmouth scramble that was cleared at the last moment. Successive corners followed, with Scully and Mulcahy going close before an ill-advised short corner was lost by Keith Buckley, who had an abysmal game.

Bohs still had time for two great chances in stoppage time. First, Dave Scully did brilliantly to head a bouncing ball towards the bottom corner. It was all but in, but Barry Ryan somehow managed to stretch out a claw and deny Scully a first league goal of the season. With almost the last attack, Ryan saved brillantly with his feet as Derek Pender desparately tried to poke home an equaliser.

That’s 10 league games without a win for Bohs, who remain in the relegation play-off spot, 5 points ahead of Shelbourne having played a game more than their North Dublin rivals. Next up is a trip to title chasing Dundalk before a crucial game against Bray Wanderers in the Carlisle Grounds.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Zein Albehadlie (Kevin Devaney, 63), Roberto Lopes, Michael Barker, Luke Byrne; Karl Moore, Shane Murray (Dave Scully, 70), Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Darragh Reynor Dave Mulcahy, 52); Conor Murphy. Subs not used: Greg Murray; Owen Heary, Chris Lyons, Santiago Miguel Falbo.

Limerick: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy (Shane Costelloe, 52); Stephen Bradley (David O’Leary, 63), Joe Gamble, Danny Galbraith, Craig Curran; Darragh Rainsford, Axel Bossekota. Subs not used: Shane Cusack; Brian O’Callaghan, Barry Sheedy, James McGrath, Val Feeney.

“Even Derry people commented on how well we played,” he said. “There was a little bit of naivete in the defending at times but it was against the run of play that they scored.

“We got back into it when Kevin [Devaney] scored and we might have nicked another. We kept going to the end and I’m a bit disappointed not to have got anything from it.”

On Monday in the EA Sports Cup against the same opposition, but in Dalymount, Bohemians put in “as good a performance at home as any all season”, according to the manager.

“We started well and we didn’t concede until the 82nd minute,” said Callaghan. “But when you look at Derry’s bench and at ours, you see the difference between the squads.”

Callaghan was very pleased with his débutants. Argentian Santiago Miguel Falbo was “neat and tidy” on his first start, came off early with cramp but took full part in training this week and is in the reckoning for selection again. Iraqi-born Zein Albehadlie (19) was “very strong” at right-back when he came on as substitute, though his lapse contributed to the first goal.

Meanwhile, Darragh Reynor, another player who has been on the fringe, also put in an impressive performance as a substitute.

Joining these players as contenders for selection is new recruit Conor Murphy (20), who has played with four league clubs, and has been brought to Bohemians “to take goal-scoring opportunities”.

“He knows where the goal is,” said Callaghan as he recalled clearly Murphy’s goal against Bohemians last August during his short spell with Derry City. Now he is looking to Murphy to help improve Bohemians’ modest goal-scoring record. The most recently signed Bohemian is available for Friday.

Callaghan hopes also to have Lorcan Shannon, a 19-year-old right-side midfielder, in his squad soon. Shannon has been on the books of Shamrock Rovers, was on loan to Dundalk last season, and trained with the Bohemian squad this week. Callaghan aims to complete his transfer in the coming days.

Captain Owen Heary (hip injury) has returned to full training, but may not be fit for Friday. Dave Mulcahy has recovered from illness and Derek Pender returns from suspension. But Stephen Traynor (ankle) remains out and Andy Mulligan is in Russia with the Irish colleges squad for the World University Games – a trip Traynor missed due to injury.

Ryan McEvoy and Ciaran Nangle both have sprained ankles from training and face late fitness tests.