In next month’s CUFL final, Traynor will oppose yet another of his Bohemian team-mates. Roberto Lopes scored a late extra-time goal to secure DIT’s semi-final win over Athlone IT.

DIT were also finalists in 2010 but were beaten on that occasion by UCD.

On Monday (February 25th), a buoyed-up DCU begin their Collingwood Cup campaign in Jordanstown with a match against University of Ulster Magee.

“Your input into these plans and, hopefully, your assistance in achieving them is what will make this club strong again. I look forward to seeing you tonight.”

Meanwhile, members in attendance tonight can purchase the superb 2013 Bohemian FC calendar for less than HALF its original price.

You can participate in this sponsorship initiative for as little as €10. The first 25 fans who sign up at the AGM (St Peter’s Hall, 7.30) or subsequently will be entered in an early bird draw for a football signed by the 2012 Bohs squad.

In addition, there will be a major raffle for all Bohs fans who contribute to the HSI. One entry to this raffle will be given for each €10 contributed. Prizes will be three match hospitality packages for four/five people, a signed Bohs football and a signed Bohs jersey. Don’t miss out!

“That was a very good game against Hardwicke. We were very lively and I’m happy with what I saw.

“It was the first game for a lot of those players, Dave Mulcahy being one, and at this stage it’s about giving game time to everyone in the squad.

“It’s all starting to take shape now. We’ve had a really good pre-season so far and the fitness levels are good. It’s about fine-tuning our tactical organisation now.”

With the loss of key centre-backs Kevin Feely and Evan McMillan to Charlton and Sligo Rovers respectively, Callaghan has had plenty of tinkering to do to find the right balance at the back.

Dave Scully has been tested at centre-back in recent weeks and Callaghan reckons the 28-year-old could be an option in the heart of defence alongside the experience of Stephen Paisley, a closed-season capture from Shelbourne.

Callaghan said: “Dave has played centre-back before – he was playing there when he went to Carlisle United. He’s a threat from set-pieces too and I think he is quite capable of playing in both positions.

Early-season illness and injuries are a concern for the Gypsies boss, however, as both Karl Moore and Shane Murray were forced to sit out Monday’s game.

He said: “Injury-wise, Shane has a viral infection and Kevin Devaney has an ankle problem.

“Karl Moore,who started pre-season well, has an infection too so he has been off for the last 10 days.”

Callaghan saw new signing Paisley net twice in Wednesday’s emphathic win and reckons the 29-year-old’s experience could prove vital at Dalymount Park this year.

He added: “Stephen makes a difference. He’s scored goals from centre-back all through his career.

“When we lost Kevin and Evan, we lost a bit of height. We needed to get a bit of that back – as well as some experience – so we waited and got Stephen. I’m delighted he has signed.”

Despite starting an entirely different XI to Saturday’s 5-1 win over Longford Town, playing against non-league opposition, it was a game that most would have expected Bohs to run away with quite comfortably. It was Hardwicke, however, who created most of the chances and if it wasn’t for some wasteful finishing, they would have caused some real headaches for Callaghan.

Bohs should have claimed the game’s opener early on when a great cross from Dwayne Wilson left the goal gaping for Shane Fitzgerald. But the former Drogheda United and UCD man, starting his second spell with the Gypsies, failed to convert.

And Fitzgerald was made curse that miss as Dean Byrne opened the scoring for the inner-city side on 26 minutes.

After that setback, Bohs upped their game and strived to get back on level terms, with Dave Mulcahy going close with a spectacular effort that was saved by Hardwicke stopper Trevor Owens.

Callaghan had it all to do at half-time. But whatever he said in the dressing room paid off as, after the break, it was a very different story. Just after the restart, the manager decided to use his subs bench and on came Darragh Hanaphy and Conor O’Brien for Kevin O’Leary and Niall Forrester respectively.

And on 50 minutes, Bohs were back on level terms. Wilson’s free-kick from the left saw Paisley emerge from the goalmouth scramble to head home the Bohs equaliser.

It didn’t take long for the former Shelbourne man to double his tally either. Another free-kick found saw Paisley rise highest once again as he headed home on the line to put his new side in front on 57 minutes.

Callaghan made use of his bench once more as Kevin Devaney and Santiago came on for the remaining half-hour.

The Gypsies began to assert real control now and Paisley nearly claimed a rare hat-trick for a defender but was thwarted by Hardwicke keeper Owens.

Mulcahy had another shot parried by Owens but Bohs finally extended their advantage on 73 minutes when O’Brien, son of former Gypsies player and assistant manager Liam, finished from close range after a great run and cross by Hanaphy.

The game looked to be over but Hardwicke were awarded a penalty after Dave Scully, usually a striker but playing at centre-back, handled on the line with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

He wasn’t given his marching orders much to the annoyance of the visitors’ bench – he would surely have seen red in a competitive game. But Hardwicke were back in the game as Peter O’Toole stepped up and duly converted the spot-kick.

We looked to be heading for a grandstand finish but two late goals from substitute Devaney (87 minutes) and a second from O’Brien (89 minutes) ensured it was another five-goal rout in Blanch for the Gypsies.

Bohemians: Greg Murray, Michael Barker, Dave Scully, Stephen Paisley, Ciaran Nangle, Dave Mulcahy, Niall Forrester, Darragh Reynor, Dwayne Wilson, Kevin O’Leary, Shane Fitzgerald. Subs: Darragh Hanaphy, Santiago, Conor O’Brien, Kevin Devaney.

“If we can produce as many players for the Under-21 squad from this group I will be extremely pleased. There is no better way to judge players then when you are working with them directly.

“The opportunities are always there for Airtricity League players to push their way into the U21 squad and I’m looking forward to this game.”

Saturday’s practice match kicks off at 1.30pm at the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh.

IRELAND squad: Greg Murray (Bohemian FC), Niall Burdon (Shelbourne FC), Michael Barker (Bohemian FC), Roberto Lopes (Bohemian FC), Luke Byrne (Bohemian FC), Chris Lyons (Bohemian FC), Hugh Douglas (UCD AFC), Barry McCabe (UCD AFC), Robbie Benson (UCD AFC), Ismahil Akinade (Bray Wanderers FC), Kevin Knight (Bray Wanderers FC), Eoghan Osborne (Dundalk FC), Daniel Purdy (Longford Town FC), Stephen McDonnell (Dundalk FC), Chris Forrester (St Patrick’s Athletic FC), Conor Murphy (St Patrick’s Athletic FC), Barry McNamee (Derry City FC).