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.

The match will be followed by an after-party and presentation night at Hanlon’s Pub (NCR) at 8pm, with DJ Ginger on the decks and spot prizes on offer, including two tickets to the upcoming sold-out Liverpool-Celtic Aviva Stadium friendly.

Tickets to the Bohs-O’Devaney/Dunard match and after-party cost just €10 with all proceeds going to Graham’s treatment fund. We hope to see you there!

For more information on Graham’s fight, please visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrahamsCancerFund

To donate directly, please visit: http://gogetfunding.com/project/graham-s-cancer-treatment-fund

Focusing on the club’s league position means that chasing a possible trophy in the EA Sports Cup takes second place.

“We’ll go to Derry knowing that three points would give us a huge lift. But to come away with a point would be fantastic,” said Callaghan.

“We have to take heart from the fact that UCD went up there and won and we had a good result in Sligo a few weeks back.”

Bohemians have secured notable draws on their travels, in Tallaght, Inchicore, Drogheda and Sligo. “Our home form has been baffling at times. We don’t seem to start games well at home and we need to address that,” said Callaghan.

“But we’ve had some fantastic results away from home. The young lads have stepped up to the mark and we’ll be asking them to do it again.”

Bohemians will have to rely even more than usual on the younger players as they will likely be without their three most experienced players for Friday. Owen Heary has a recurrence of his hip injury, Dave Mulcahy has been out of training with a virus, and Derek Pender is suspended due to his sending-off two weeks ago against Shelbourne.

There are also doubts that Dave Scully (ankle), Ryan McEvoy (virus), Stephen Traynor (ankle) or Kevin O’Leary (virus) will be fit for selection.

Callaghan is aiming to refresh his squad in the transfer window from next week. Ahead of that, Shane Fitzgerald and Dwayne Wilson have been released.

The manager is looking to let several more go, and is “actively pursuing the chances to bring in three or four lads, to ensure we strengthen in those areas where we need to most”.