Nine of Callaghan’s squad have started in all three league games so far. “We have a hard core that we’re going to be working off, week in, week out,” said Callaghan.

“But the other players that are out of the team at the moment are good players and are competing for places and this is making the lads in the team work to stay ahead in terms of fitness and the technical and tactical side of things.”

That competition for places has intensified with the recovery from illness of Stephen Paisley and Kevin Devaney and the availability of Dave Mulcahy (ankle) for the first time since the league campaign started.

But newly signed striker Chris Lyons, who has impressed for Bohemians, is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in last Monday’s match.

Callaghan admits to some disappointment that Bohemians couldn’t do better than a scoreless draw against Shamrock Rovers. “But it wouldn’t be the first time that 11 men failed to beat 10 because those 10 always seem to work that bit harder,” he observed.

“We tried to open it out and play more expansively but the pitch didn’t help us. We dominated them even when they had eleven. We’re disappointed not to get the win but we’ll take the point.”

Current conditions work against Bohemians playing as they would wish to. “We can’t pass and move the ball as much as we like to, and with pace and accuracy,” said Callaghan. “We’re pleased with what we’re doing in training on the all-weather pitch but we can’t do it in the same way on grass at present.”

The Bohemian manager expects St Patrick’s Athletic to improve this season on last year’s achievements, and he was surprised that they went down 3-0 to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght. They may have shown their rivals too much respect, he thinks.

Eight of the last nine league games between Bohemians and Pats have been drawn or decided by a single goal either way and another close encounter may be on the cards for Saturday.

It is with this in mind that sports betters should always seek to win money by going against the majority. If the majority was always right, bookmakers would find it extremely difficult to make money – instead they are posting vast profits, and not all of it from tax havens and internet gaming.

This week, the intention was to tip Shamrock Rovers to win away to Shelbourne at 1.7 (7/10 in old money) with Ladbrokes – a price that certainly looked big at the time. Needless to say, this price was backed as people noted Shelbourne’s poor start to the season and mounting red cards. Shamrock Rovers started strongly in the Setanta Cup, are yet to concede a goal this season, and won’t be too disappointed in the way their ten men hung on for a point against us on Monday.

They are rightly favourites but we have to evaluate what price we would back them at. If you didn’t get the 1.7 with Ladbrokes earlier in the week, it is not advised to take the best price of 4/7 now. Shels have started badly but will not keep losing games indefinitely – their first points will come soon and may even be this Sunday. Back them with a half-goal start at 57/40, to put on a show for the tv cameras on Sunday afternoon. 19/40 +1.5 will cover you in the event that they lose by one. Both bets are with Bet365.

Another team whose stock it is possible to “buy low” this weekend is Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland as they travel to Sweden. While the manner in which we were totally outclassed in Poland last summer was depressing, Trap has an impressive record in crunch qualifiers and it’s tempting to point out to people that despite the sublime Zlatan Ibrahimovic having his best season ever, there is little reason for some of the excessive pessimism around the Ireland camp at the moment. People will always disagree with a manager’s selections, and seeing how Keane and Long link up will be exciting – whatever about Paul Green. Again, get on the underdogs with a half-goal start at 8/5 with Bet365.

As the reams of column inches on the fallout from the Sweden-Ireland game are being digested, our own league action this weekend sees us travel to Inchicore to take on Liam Buckley’s St Pat’s. We don’t have too bad a record in this fixture in recent seasons. We’ve mentioned in previous columns that although Pat’s have strengthened, they look short to challenge for the league again. This Bohs team has proved that it can get results against teams who are challenging for the league, so although Pat’s are a useful side, they will draw a lot of games this season, and at 5/2, this surely could be one of them.

Elsewhere in the league, bankers are thin on the ground and the weather will conspire against many bets. Sligo’s start has been impressive but Limerick’s home form promises to be solid. Dundalk will have their backers at 5/4, but it might just pay not to back road teams in a week during which they have already played a game – in Dundalk’s case, a convincing home defeat to Sligo.

While we don’t have a “banker” this week, Waterford are joint favourites for the First Division, and are 8/13 with Pinnacle to beat Mervue at home this weekend. The same bet is 4/7 with Powers. As Paddy Power are typically the bookmaker who know more about Irish football than any other, we can at least be confident that we may be getting a sliver of value, even if [like any bet] there is no guarantee that the bet will win.

Recommended:
Shelbourne +0.5, 1pt 57/40 (Bet365)
Ireland +0.5, 1pt 8/5 (Bet365)
Bohs – St Pat’s draw, 1pt 5/2 (Skybet)
Waterford, 2pts 8/13 (Pinnacle)

We would also like to thank club member Peter Synnott (pictured below), who sponsored the match-ball for our the same game against Rovers.

Click here for more information on matchday sponsorship packages, or email commercial@bohemians.ie.

Unfortunately for Bohs, the one real negative is the Dalymount surface. Visibly bobbly at the start of the game, the pitch got worse and worse as the match progressed until eventually, simple 10-yard passes became extremely difficult. That said, the Gypsies midfield duo of Stephen Traynor and Ryan McEvoy were far superior to their Hooped counterparts, and Aaron Callaghan will definitely be the more disappointed manager after this one.

Even when the game was 11 v 11, Bohs were the brighter team. The opening quarter saw a pattern developing with McEvoy and Traynor feeding Karl Moore, who was in flying form. The winger was torturing Rovers captain Pat Sullivan, and put in a few good early crosses that had the visitors’ defence scrambling to clear. Sullivan himself launched a trademark pile-driver that had Dean Delany scrambling, but it flashed just over.

In an extremely niggly affair, Shamrock Rovers were clearly rattled by the pace and high-pressing game exhibited by Callaghan’s men. At the forefront of this quick-footed nippiness were Moore and striker Chris Lyons. The former UCD frontman was causing Jason McGuinness and his central partner Derek Foran all kinds of problems. With 10 minutes to go to half-time, Lyons skipped past Foran who caught him with a crunching lunge. A simple yellow-card decision for referee Neil Doyle. Unfortunately for Lyons, he never recovered from the tackle and was replaced by Shane Murray.

The game seemed to have swung Bohs’ way when Foran received his marching orders just five minutes after getting his first card. This time it was Moore who beat him to the ball. Foran’s reckless tackle was just a split-second late, but still offered Doyle no choice but to flash a second yellow. The lack of complaint from anyone in green and white was the tell-tale sign.

Bohs were well on top before and after the half time whistle. McEvoy and Traynor were particularly impressive. Traynor had what was certainly one of his best games in a Bohs shirt. He exuded a calmness and presence on the ball, and also offered plenty of slaloming runs through his apparently more illustrious midfield opponents in James Chambers and Shane Robinson.

Rovers players seemed to mirror the mood of their unusually subdued fans. While the Tallaght club sold out their allocation, the hundreds gathered in the Des Kelly Stand offered little in terms of atmosphere. The Bohs fans, however were in fine voice, but just couldn’t roar their team on to what would have been a deserved victory.

Chances were few and far between to say the least. The most excitement in the second half was a dipping and swerving Moore shot that had Barry Murphy flapping. The fact that Dave Scully’s booking for an outrageous dive was also a highlight tells the tale of a true Derby stalemate. The result leaves Bohs on four points with a win, a loss, and a draw for Callaghan’s men to start the season. The Dublin Derbies are coming thick and fast – next up for Bohs is a trip to Inchicore to face St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender, Owen Heary, Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne, Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Stephen Traynor, Karl Moore (Darragh Hanaphy, 83), Dave Scully, Chris Lyons (Shane Murray, 37 (Dwayne Wilson, 73) ). Subs not used: Greg Murray, Conor O’Brien, Ciaran Nangle, Michael Barker.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy, Pat Sullivan, Jason McGuinness, Derek Foran, Conor Powell, Shane Robinson, Stephen Rice, James Chambers (Ciaran Kilduff, 57), Billy Dennehy, Karl Sheppard (Sean O’Connor, 76), Thomas Stewart (David Elebert, 43). Subs not used: Richard Brush, Gary McCabe, Ronan Finn, Conor McCormack.

Attendance: 4,000

Bohs Man of the Match: Stephen Traynor.

(Pic, by Eddie Lennon, shows Karl Moore tackling Rovers’ Pat Sullivan. View more of Eddie’s pics on our Facebook page.

“I thought it was a good performance overall, obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted. The intensity they came out with in the second half we couldn’t cope with it.

“We conceded two sloppy goals, I think their second one was a bit lucky with someone miscontrolling it. But we got back into the game in the last 15 to 20 minutes, so I was delighted with the performance individually and collectively.”

Coming off back-to-back wins in games against Shamrock Rovers last season, Callaghan knows that there is more than just three points on offer against the Hoops.

He said: “It’s not just a game – it’s a big Dublin Derby against our biggest rivals. Last year we were set up quite well for those games but we definitely need to perform at our best to get a result.

“I think last year is history to be honest. They’ve strengthened, they have a new manager and a new set of players. They’ve started the season well so it’s a good test for us – but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

The Gypsies boss knows that he won’t need to fire his players up for this one. Callaghan said: “They know the importance of the game for themselves first of all, but also for the fans. They need to make sure they put in a performance individually, and then collectively I think we’ll be good.”

Callaghan praised the effect of a raucous Jodi Stand support in the 4-0 win against Rovers last season. He expects a big crowd again this time around, and the Bank Holiday kick-off should make for a fantastic atmosphere.

He added: “I think there’s going to be a really good crowd. The fact we moved it forward and that they’ve started well, I think there could be four or five thousand at it, and I know our fans will come out in force.”

Bohs will be without midfielder Dave Mulcahy, who is still struggling with an ankle injury, while centre-back Stephen Paisley and midfielder/forward Kevin Devaney are doubts through illness. Bar that trio, Callaghan expects his squad to be at full strength for the big game.

Bohemian Football Club is a proud members-owed club since 1890 and an integral part of the local community – the actions of this small minority must not detract from our famous club.

BOHEMIAN FC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The prices look about right though and we wouldn’t be rushing to back Bohs at Pinnacle’s 4.99 (just short of 4/1) in a fixture where, as last season, the draw is always going to be a runner. If betting, the draw is the one to be on at 3.52 (Pinnacle).

It may be a while before St Pat’s Athletic have as good a chance as to win the league as they did last season, and although they have added quality players such as Killian Brennan to their squad, they still lack firepower up front and will not be scoring goals for fun. Shamrock can be backed at 2.17 with Pinnacle and that’s a price worth taking. Some may wish to take 9/20 draw no bet on Rovers, but if they get their noses in front they should be able to shut out the Saints.

Elsewhere, Shelbourne will be looking to bounce back from last week’s opening day shocker in Bray where a red card and a one-nil defeat gave little signs of promise. Dundalk, on the other hand, managed a clean sheet against the title favourites and will be gaining in confidence under Stephen Kenny. Back the away win at Tolka (2.88, Coral).

UCD-Derry and Drogheda-Limerick are not easy games to call and involve teams that it’s difficult to form much of an opinion on this early in the season. Drogheda flattered in the Setanta Cup against weak though Danske Bank Irish League opposition, but then looked moderate enough when losing in Inchicore last week. There is no guarantee that they will find Limerick a soft touch when they visit Hunky Dorys Park.

To complete this weekend’s bets, we instead look to Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers on Saturday night. There is no reason to believe that Bray’s win over Shelbourne suggests they are in for a season dramatically different from last year. Given that they can be expected to finish down near the bottom of the table, and given Sligo’s ability on the ball and knack for scoring goals, we can back over 2.5 goals here at around 1.8 (4/5) on betfair. We can repeat ourselves as many times as is necessary in pointing out that there is no such thing as a banker but this the short price worth taking this week.

Recommended:
Shamrock, 1pt 2.17 (Pinnacle)
Dundalk, 1pt 2.88 (Coral)
Sligo Rvs – Bray Wanderers over 2.5 goals, 2pts 1.8 (betfair)

“Three games in 15 days against UCD is a bit much – but we came out on top in two of them, which is the main thing.

“I wasn’t overly pleased with the performance in the league game but the second-half performance in the cup game was probably our best performance to date, culminating in us getting a last-minute goal and bringing it to extra-time.”

Callaghan was also pleased with the fact that he could afford to change nine players from the starting line-up for the league victory and still progress in the EA Sports Cup with that thrilling extra-time winner from Chris Lyons.

He said: “For the squad, I was trying to get two players to compete for every position, and I think we’ve done that. When you can change eight or nine players and still get the result, it’s definitely pleasing for me.”

What will also please the Gypsies’ boss is the form of his attacking players. Out of the six goals scored against UCD over the three ties, five were from strikers and the other from the attack-minded Karl Moore (pictured). Firepower up front is a big priority for Callaghan this term. He said: “It’s an area that we’ve tried to improve on and hopefully that can continue”.

This weekend’s opponents Cork City have one of the most-changed squads in the league this term and Callaghan is expecting a tough fixture, adding: “They’ve spent wisely, brought in a lot of players. They have quite a decent budget down there by all accounts and we’re expecting nothing but a tough game. I watched their draw against Limerick and I think it was pretty even. We’re looking forward to it now.”

On the injury front, Bohemians have a few doubts for the trip. As well as a few players carrying knocks from Monday, Stephen Paisley has been ill over the past few days, Kevin Devaney is nursing a knock on his ankle and Dave Scully has a back strain. Those three will be assessed at training tonight before Callaghan decides who to bring on the trip down South.

DCU had opportunities to level the game – a curling shot from Traynor went narrowly wide – before Sam Simpson netted in the final minutes to seal victory for DIT and with it the college’s first-ever CUFL Premier Division title.

While Lopes toasted victory, 21-year-old Traynor wasn’t the only player with Bohs links left disappointed. The midfielder’s DCU team-mates on the day included Robbie Gaul, Dan Mahon and David Lodola – all of whom were previously on the books at Dalymount Park.

Last week, another Gypsy picked up a medal at this level as winger Andy Mulligan lifted the Colleges FAI Cup alongside former Bohemians goalkeeper Craig Sexton.

DCU: B Dale, M Logan, D Gaul, G McArdle, R Gaul, R Dunleavy, D Mahon, S Traynor, M Isichei, D Lodola, P Kavanagh. Subs: P O’Driscoll for Kavanagh 46 mins; D Brick for Lodola 46; D Aherne for Mahon 81.

DIT: N Cooney, C Dowd, R Matthews, R Lopes, N Cooney, P Malone, D Soon, E Murray, J Conroy, T Smullen, A O’Dwyer. Subs: D Higgins for Smullen 83; S Simpson for Soon 83; S Crowe for Dowd 89; C Smith for Murray 90.

REFEREE: P Tuite (Dublin).

(Pictures, courtesy of Sportsfile, show 1) Lopes and his DIT team-mates celebrating at the end of the game and 2) Lopes closing in on David Lodola)