“I thought we were very poor first half, we stood off UCD and allowed them to dictate the play. But second half I thought we were the better side, and we definitely had a couple of decisions go against us. I did have a chat with the referee after the game, and he said he didn’t see the penalty incident.”

Callaghan was pleased with the fact that referee Padraigh Sutton was open enough to talk to the Gypsies’ boss about the incidents, which also included a disallowed Kevin Devaney goal. “I had a good chat with Padraigh after the game, and it was the first time in a long time that a referee has allowed me to come in and talk to them. I think that the communication process with the referees has to improve. When you can go in and chat about a few of the incidents and they explain why they gave a particular call, it’s much more open and satisfying for me. I can air a few opinions and we can move on”.

Callaghan also called on the Gypsies’ players to keep their discipline after Keith Buckley’s late red card against the Students. “Discipline is important at any stage of the season. It’s something we stress to the lads prior to every game, you’ve got to keep your heads in certain situations. It’s hard to take some of the decisions but, in fairness to the referees, they don’t go out there to intentionally make those decisions.”

Looking ahead to Cork City on Friday, Callaghan is peering up the table rather than down — the Leesiders are just a point ahead of Bohs in the Premier Division. “They’ve assembled quite a decent squad but a couple of results have gone against them, they’ve conceded late goals here and there. We know if we win the game we go above them, which is a great incentive for the players. It was disappointing that our run came to an end, but we’ve got to get back on the bike and kick on.”

The Bohs boss also went into detail about the 3-5-2 formation implemented in the last few games, and the attacking threat that the system gives. “The thinking behind it is to create more opportunities, which I think it does. We scored three times against Bray, twice at Drogheda, and once away to St Pat’s by playing the system. What it does is throw more men forward. As with every attacking system, it does leave gaps, but we’ve been working on ways to counter-act that. The idea was to get more goals, and if we win games 3-2 I’ll be quite happy. Not only does it entertain the fans, but we can also hopefully get the three points.”

For Friday’s game Bohs will be without the suspended Keith Buckley but have no serious injury concerns. Captain Owen Heary returned to the starting line-up on Tuesday after a long lay-off, while Stephen Traynor was back on the bench following a surgical procedure.

Bohs welcomed back captain Owen Heary in the only change from Friday’s battling draw with Drogheda United. The 37 year old started the game in an unfamiliar right wing back role before being shifted to centre half after an uncomfortable opening period. Just like that Drogheda game, Bohs started sluggishly. The pitch at the UCD Bowl is deceptively bobbly, but that didn’t stop the Students from playing the ball around with ease. After just 8 minutes of mostly home possession, David McMillan slipped a cute ball through to Dean Clarke, whose first time shot easily beat Dean Delany for an all-too-easy opening goal.

The home side clearly settled better, and had a succession of corners which troubled Delany and the Bohs defence who struggled to clear their lines on more than one occasion. Some respite came on 17 minutes when Chris Lyons had Bohs’ first shot in anger – but it was fired straight at Conor O’Donnell. Unfortunately for Bohs, that was as good as it got in the opening half. Heary seemed lost on the right flank and was switched to centre back as Callaghan stuck with the 3-5-2. The half time whistle came just as Bohs seemed to be finding some kind of rhythm. Happily, this continued after the break – with the now midfield-lying Dave Mulcahy producing a smart save from O’Donnell after a 25 yard shot.

Perhaps the key moment of the game came on 69 minutes. Andy Mulligan was probably Bohs’ shining light on the left hand side, and when his shot was parried, Chris Lyons looked odds-on to score the rebound. However, his shot was miraculously cleared off the line by Tomás Boyle. Bohs players, staff, and fans all screamed for a handball, but referee Padraig Sutton was having none of it, and waved away the fervent protests. From first glance it seemed inconclusive, and Sutton would have had to have been 100 per cent sure to award a penalty and inevitable red card.

Bohs again felt hard done by ten minutes later when sub Kevin Devaney’s headed effort was ruled out for offside, but the ex-Sligo man did look a yard off. Frustration grew and grew for Bohs both on and off the pitch, and culminated in Keith Buckley’s dismissal with just a minute to go. He must have said something to the linesman on the far side, as he flagged before Sutton produced the straight red. If the red card was indeed for dissent, it was a ridiculous action from Buckley, who was perhaps frustrated most at his own performance, which was littered with misplaced passes and poor control. He will most likely miss the league games against Cork City and Shamrock Rovers, as well as the EA Sports Cup tie with Bray.

UCD easily saw out the 4 minutes of additional time to earn a valuable three points in their fight to avoid the drop. More performances like this, and Bohs will be part of that fight.

UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Hugh Douglas, David O’Connor, Tomas Boyle, Gareth Matthews, Cillian Morrison (James Kavanagh 73), Gary Burke, Robbie Creevy, Robbie Benson, Dean Clarke (Samir Belhout 77), David McMillan (Dinny Corcoran 86).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Barry McCabe, Tyrone McNelis, Craig Walsh.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Roberto Lopes, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne; Owen Heary, Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy (Karl Moore 84), Andy Mulligan, Dwayne Wilson (Dave Scully 59), Chris Lyons (Kevin Devaney 73). Subs not used: Greg Murray, Ciaran Nangle, Shane Fitzgerald, Stephen Traynor.

Bohs Man of the Match: Andy Mulligan

“Coming back from goals behind two games in a row shows real character,” Callaghan added.

Owen Heary, who made it to the bench last Friday after a month on the sidelines with a knee injury, looks set to return to action. Stephen Traynor is also available after a long lay-off. Derek Pender will have a late fitness test for a strain.

“We will have to prepare really well for UCD. They beat Shamrock Rovers at home. They are performing well and their fitness levels are always good,” said Callaghan.

The Bohemian manager returns to one of his former clubs with a squad that includes recent UCD players Ciaran Nangle and Chris Lyons, who celebrates his 20th birthday on Wednesday.

In the last 12 league meetings between the sides, UCD have won only once. However, last February they defeated Bohemians in the Leinster Senior Cup through a Ciaran Nangle own goal in the last minute of extra time.

In March, Chris Lyons scored penalties in successive games when Bohs avenged that defeat with two victories in three days over UCD in the league and in the EA Sports Cup.

Unfortunately for the visitors, they slept their way through the opening minute, and Drogheda were ahead in no time.  After ex-Bohs man Gary O’Neill had forced a corner straight from the kick off, Ryan Brennan caught the Bohs defence napping by taking it quick and whipping in a devilish cross.  Michael Daly rose to meet the ball at the height of his jump, giving Dean Delany no chance, stunning the travelling Bohs faithful.

A howling gale was blowing straight in Delany’s face in the first half and the Drogs were well on top, playing the kind of neat football that saw them finish a surprise 2^nd in the league last year. Graham Rusk and Brennan both flashed shots across goal as Bohs struggled to get the ball down and play.

When the equaliser came, it was totally against the run of play. Michael Barker played the ball forward to the previously anonymous Dwayne Wilson who’s first touch took him past United defender Shane Grimes.  Wilson then showed an incredible burst of pace and was suddenly through on goal.  For a man who hadn’t yet scored this season, he showed remarkable composure to slide a neat, right-footed finish passed Gabriel Sava into the bottom corner.

The Drogheda response was immediate, and almost produced one of the goals of the season.  Gary O’Neill may not be as nippy as he once was, but he showed incredible control to wrong foot Roberto Lopes.  Just as it looked like he was about to let fly with a screamer – he stopped, checked and chipped Dean Delany – Cantona-esque,  from 25 yards.  The Bohs keeper could only watch as the ball sailed over him and cannoned off the cross bar, with Michael Barker completing a great clearance under pressure from Brennan.

Drogheda didn’t take long to reassert their dominance, and re-took the lead with another sloppy goal for Bohs to concede.  Paul O’Conor’s header was tamely parried back into the danger zone by Dean Delany and O’Conor himself followed up to restore the home side’s lead.  Although it was from close range, Delany might well be disappointed that he didn’t keep the rebound out – as it rather squirmed under his body.

Aided by the wind, Bohs started the 2^nd half much brighter – and were level within just 6 minutes.  Chris Lyons came short, and sent an ambitious ball ahead of Andy Mulligan down the left.  Many players would have given up on the pass, but Mulligan’s lightning pace allowed him to amazingly reach it – before getting to the by-line and pulling it back.  The ball ricocheted off two Drogheda defenders before falling on a plate for Ryan McEvoy who buried past Sava from 12 yards.

Again, Drogheda reacted smartly to being pegged back.  The impressive Ryan Brennan did well down the left and fired a dangerous ball across the face of the goal.  It fell to Gary O’Neill just two yards out with the goal at his mercy – but he inexplicably skewed it over the bar when scoring would have been easier.

You almost felt that Bohs would get a chance to win it, and that chance came on 75 minutes.  Wilson’s pace caused Drogheda problems all night, and again took him clear down the right side.  He clipped a lovely ball that sailed over Chris Lyons head but found Andy Mulligan unmarked in acres of space, just 15 yards out.  If ever a player panicked with the result as his feet, it was then.  Mulligan lost his footing, and fell flat on his face.  He was in so much space that he even had time to pick himself up, jink around the on-rushing Sava before firing a shot disappointingly high and wide.

The home side searched for a winner but couldn’t find a way past a steadfast Bohs defence marshalled well once again by new cult hero Dave Mulcahy. That’s two welcome away points for the Gypsies, with the 3^rd of a travelling trilogy to come against UCD on Tuesday.

Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava, Derek Prendergast, Alan McNally, Shane Grimes, Brian Gannon, Graham Rusk (Declan “Fabio” O’Brien, 74), Paul O’Conor (Eric Foley, 64), Michael Daly, David Cassidy, Gavin Brennan, Gary O’Neill (Peter Hynes, 86). Subs not used: Stephen Quigley, Philip Hand, Cathal Brady, Michael Schlingermann

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Roberto Lopes, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne, Michael Barker, Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Andy Mulligan,  Dwayne Wilson (Kevin O’Leary, 86), Chris Lyons (Kevin Devaney, 90). Subs not used: Greg Murray, Ciaran Nangle, Owen Heary, Shane Murray, Stephen Traynor.

Bohs Man of the Match: Dwayne Wilson

Shamrock have scored in each of their home games this season, and will obviously hope that some of the many chances they are creating start going in. A 2-0 defeat at UCD is fairly stark though, if you are looking for indications that this isn’t just a team short on luck and small margins away from turning draws into wins. That doesn’t really explain why they are ten points behind the league leaders, and if they lose and find themselves 13 behind, patience will be severely tested. The bet that appeals is the draw, something that neither team would be too disappointed at. Despite the home team’s need being greater, Sligo are capable of avoiding defeat.

The above bet on the draw will be seen by many as a safe bet, but there could well be another share of the spoils that is somewhat less expected by neutrals, and it is our trip to Drogheda. The home side may well have one eye on their Setanta Cup final date next weekend, and may be without Alan Byrne, Derek Prendergast, and Ryan Brennan. Declan O’Brien is always a threat against us but even in the absence of Stephen Paisley, we have a team capable of building on the confidence injected by the Inchicore result, and sneak a point here.

It is difficult to pick much else to bet on in this series of fixtures, and there may well be some more draws, considering that teams are going into an intense period of fixtures with little recovery time. What you may see in such circumstances is teams reluctant to really commit towards the end of games, and this is good news for draw backers. St Pat’s wouldn’t be too upset at a draw at Cork, who will be in good spirits following their late comeback against Bray. Bray themselves host Dundalk, who despite their fine start to the season might be slightly over-rated at 4/5 away from home.

Derry and Limerick is another one that looks hard to call, with Derry perhaps more stylish as a road team when they don’t have to patiently break through the sort of defensive masses that visitors to the Brandywell often present them with.

Finally, consider a squeak on UCD to beat Shelbourne. After almost a full series of fixtures, we can probably deduce that Shels have serious problems indeed, even apart from their disciplinary record. UCD will be delighted at last Friday’s home win and won’t have any fear of going to Tolka in search of all 3 points.

Recommended:
Shamrock – Sligo draw, 1pt 9/4 (Coral)
Drogheda – Bohs draw, 1pt 11/4 (BetVictor)
UCD, 1pt 21/10 (Coral)

Produced by Peter O’Doherty (podproductions.ie).
Interview by Robert O’Reardon.
Intro by Ray O’Hanlon.

“With so many changes, and so many younger players coming in, I was over the moon to get that result”.

With four of the most experienced players unable to play, even more responsibility than usual fell on Dave Mulcahy and goalkeeper Dean Delany. The No. 1 was, in Callaghan’s view, “exceptional, making three or four fantastic saves towards the end” and Mulcahy’s was rated by his manager as “one of the best individual performances I have seen in the league”.

Bohemians are well aware that Drogheda United have proven very difficult to beat. Last season, Bohemians had one draw and three defeats in league and league cup encounters with the Drogs. Just a month after Friday’s match, Bohs face Drogheda again in the FAI Cup.

“We’ve got to respect them and we’ll do our usual analysis on how they are playing but we have to concentrate on our own performance and on our shape,” said Callaghan.

“We’re getting more players forward, which has certainly helped us. We looked dangerous on the break against Pat’s. As much as they had chances to win it, we definitely had one or two chances to nick it.”

Bohemians secured their point last Monday with 19-year-old Conor O’Brien making his league debut, and 19-year-olds Andy Mulligan and Michael Barker starting for just the second time.

Callaghan has now started 22 players from his squad and it is likely he will have to draw on more, as Stephen Paisley has left the squad due to work commitments outside football and Darragh Hanaphy is on a temporary break also due to work commitments.

With Paisley off the payroll, Aaron Callaghan has some flexibility in his modest budget and is looking to bring in a striker.

For Friday, Owen Heary (knee) remains sidelined, while Derek Pender (bruised ribs) and Dave Scully (hamstring) face late fitness tests before Friday’s game.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 17-year-old Adam Kelly is now training with the senior squad. He joins defender Michael Scott, just turned 19, who has taken the squad number 23 vacated by the departing Niall Forrester.

As if that wasn’t enough, we were given  FIVE COPIES of the game to give away on our Facebook page. The five winners of the game are:  Alan Byrne, Simon Wielens, Mick Slater, Fergus Lynch and Fergie Cronin.

A big thank-you to EA Sports for the prizes!