It is with regret that we have faced minor delays in the construction of our new away stand on the Connaught Street side of Dalymount Park.

This was due to the discovery of asbestos in the area during the demolition process, which delayed the removal of existing structures and materials.

This in turn led to a delay in the commencement of the installation of the new stand meaning it is unlikely to be ready for our first home game of the season against Dundalk.

The knock-on effect is that the Des Kelly Stand may have to revert to an away section for the Dundalk game.

In such an eventuality, those who have already purchased Des Kelly Stand season tickets will receive Jodi Stand tickets for the Dundalk game.

Des Kelly Stand season tickets are now back on sale online at a reduced rate to take into account that anyone who purchases one from now on will not be entitled to attend our opening home game: https://bohemians-tickets.com/newst2023/index.html

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind existing members to please renew your membership by January 31 after which point the club reserves the right to reassign your place to those currently on our waiting list to sign up as new members.

Bohemian Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Dylan Connolly on a multi-year contract.

The winger joins from English League One side Morecambe and returns to Dalymount Park 11 years after making his first senior appearance in football with Bohs, and has made just shy of 300 appearances in senior football since with clubs in Ireland, England and Scotland.

The 27-year-old is the eighth new arrival ahead of the new season following the signings of Keith Buckley, Paddy Kirk, Adam McDonnell, James Akintunde, Dean Williams, Grant Horton and Luke Dennison, while academy graduate Cian Byrne has been promoted to the first team.

Welcoming Connolly back to Dalymount Park, manager Declan Devine said:

“Dylan has a wealth of experience and has played for some top clubs in England and Scotland as well as knowing what this league is all about.

“He has a brilliant pedigree and will bring great pace and attacking power to the team. I believe he will be a major threat in attack and that he is a player who will really excite our supporters.

“He was really keen to come home and sign for Bohs, has signed a long-term deal and really buys into what we are trying to build here.

“I am delighted to get him on board and we are looking forward to strengthening defensively in the next week or two also.”

Connolly said: “I am really excited back where it all started for me. Bohs is where I made my debut and I have a great affinity for the club.

“I have had good experiences in football over in England and I hope that I can use that to help some of the younger players coming through at the club too.

“A lot has changed at the club since my last time here but it’s great to see the likes of Keith Buckley and Derek Pender again today who were here when I was only coming through as a kid.

“I am really looking forward to working with them and the whole group. It’s a really good group – an exciting one.

“I was buzzing to see the set-up in DCU today – it’s a brilliant facility and I can’t wait to get cracking now.”

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Luke Dennison from Longford Town.

The American joins after spending three years with Longford where he was managed last season by Gary Cronin, now assistant manager to Declan Devine at Bohemians.

The 26-year-old Californian is is the seventh new arrival to Dalymount ahead of next season following the signings of Keith Buckley, Paddy Kirk, Adam McDonnell, James Akintunde, Dean Williams and Grant Horton, while academy graduate Cian Byrne has been promoted to the first team having captained the U19s to the Enda McGuill Cup.

Welcoming Dennison to Dalymount Park, Devine said: “I feel we now have two top quality goalkeepers at the club. We knew we needed good competition for James Talbot and we have got that with Luke.

“Luke has played a lot of games, has built up good experience, is looking forward to testing himself in a full-time set-up, and I expect him to push James all the way.

“He is well known to Gary from their time together at Longford and I know that Gary rates Luke extremely highly.

“Luke actually lives a stone’s throw from Dalymount, so he already has a feel for the place, and knows what the club is about and what it means to its community.”

Dennison said: “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a massive club. After meeting with Declan, it seemed like a great fit for me to bring my game to another level.

“I can’t wait to start working with James Talbot and Chris Bennion. It was a good year last year for me under Gary Cronin, and he and Declan really want to push on and play a good brand of football, which I’m hoping will give the fans what they deserve, which is success.

“I have lived in the Phibsborough area for two years and know how much Bohs mean to the community here. It’s been a long journey to get to this point, but it’s a dream come true to play for Bohs.

“I know Declan and the rest of the staff will push each and every one of us every day to bring the club back to where it deserves to be. I can’t wait to get going and meet everyone associated with the club and really dive into the Bohemian community.”

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that Grant Horton will rejoin the club on loan from Cheltenham Town ahead of the 2023 season.

The centre-back joined Bohs on loan ahead of the 2022 season, impressing in 11 league appearances, before his first spell at Dalymount Park was cut short in the summer following a knee injury.

The 21-year-old is the sixth new arrival to Dalymount ahead of next season following the signings of Keith Buckley, Paddy Kirk, Adam McDonnell, James Akintunde and Dean Williams, while academy graduate Cian Byrne has been promoted to the first team having captained the U19s to the Enda McGuill Cup.

Welcoming Horton back to Dalymount Park, manager Declan Devine said: “Defence is obviously an area of the pitch where we have to strengthen, so I am delighted to bring Grant back to the club.

“It has been in the pipeline weeks and I have been really impressed in that time by his attitude, which is first class.

“I was very impressed by him when he came to the league – he did really well for the club in what was a challenging season. Unfortunately his time at the club was cut short due to injury in the summer, so I feel he is coming back with something to prove.

“He is coming back to Bohs with greater knowledge than when he first came here. He knows what the league is about now, he knows what the club is about now, and I know both fans and staff here really respect him.

“I’m really looking forward to welcoming him back to the club and getting him hitting the ground running in pre-season.”

Horton said: “As soon as I heard the club were interested in bringing me back, it was a no-brainer.

“I was gutted that my time with Bohs was cut short in the summer, so I am really looking forward to getting back over and getting back playing.

“There seems to be a great buzz and vibe around the team and around the club, and everyone I have spoken to can’t wait to get started with pre-season. I am really looking forward to working with the new manager and meeting all the new players and staff.

“Going properly full-time with morning training I think will help me as a player and I think will help the group push on too.

“There have been a lot of changes at the club over the past few months but that shows the spirit of the place – everyone wants to pull together to push on as a club and get it back to where it belongs.”

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that Swords Celtic as the latest club to partner with our academy’s new affiliate club model.

The arrangement will see Swords Celtic join with four clubs previously announced as affiliate clubs – Belvedere FC, Castleknock Celtic FC, Phoenix AFC and St Kevin’s Boys FC – under the new model from next year.

Bohemian FC Head of Academy Craig Sexton said:

“There are already so many Bohemians members and supporters in Swords and further afield in north county Dublin. It is extremely important for us as a club and as an academy to strengthen our links with those areas and to provide a pathway for aspiring young footballers who live there.

“The growth of our model is a significant step in an exciting time for player development in this country. We want to work together on club, coach and player developments with every affiliate we partner with.

“We want to have a visible and proactive presence with all affiliate clubs and we cannot wait to get working closely with Swords Celtic, and all the clubs who have joined us as in our new academy structure, in the new year.”

Swords Celtic Director of Coaching Valentin Laszlo said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Bohemians for the future development of our players and coaches.

“Bohs felt like the perfect match as they echo a lot of the values we share at Swords Celtic. Both clubs believe in developing young people to be footballers, but also raising them to be functional people within society, which both clubs have shown by investing heavily in their boys, girls and football-for-all sections.

“The standard of the Bohs underage League Of Ireland set-up was also a key aspect of our partnership, as we believe our most talented players need to continue their footballing education at a club with a proven track record of developing young players once upon leaving us.

“Former Swords players such as Nickson Okosun have shone throughout the ages at Bohs, earning opportunities at first-team level and call-ups for the Irish underage setup. This is a huge motivation for our young players to see a visible pathway that matches their own ambitions.

“Everyone at the club received the news with great impressions, and we look forward to working with Craig and everyone at Bohemian FC.”

Congratulations to all Christmas Draw prize winners – and a huge thanks to Jimmy O’Connor, his fundraising team, all ticket sellers, and all who purchased tickets.

Bohemians assistant manager Gary Cronin drew the winning tickets at Saturday’s draw, with Peter Buckley claiming the first prize of €2,022, Virginia Kerr the runner-up prize of €1,000 and Anthony Donnelly the third prize of €750.

A full list of prize winners can be found below. Prize winners should contact Jimmy O’Connor to claim their prize or email info@bohemians.ie.

CHRISTMAS DRAW (December 17th)

€2,022: Peter Buckley (Ticket number: 1563, Seller: Jimmy Buckley); €1,000: Virginia Kerr (1489, Charles Kerr); €750: Anthony Donnelly (1154, Self); €500: Edward Freeman (1787, Online); €250: Michelle C. (0766, Dermot Cassin); €200: Rugrats (1355, Jimmy O’Connor); €200: Louise Malone (0810, Sean Watson); €200: Ryan Dowling (1000, Noel Donohoe); €200: Stephen Kehoe (1320, Noel Donohoe); €200: Justin Leonard (2019, Dermot Cassin); €200: John Baitson (1122, Jimmy); €200: Gerry Brady (1836, Online); €200: Martin Murphy (0461, Dave McManus); €200: James Smart (0112, Stephen McLoughlin); €200: Elaine Ryan (0647, Peter Arcaya); €100: Phil Clifford (0672, Matt Devaney); €100: Nicky Cleary (1030, Online); €100: Pat & Mags (0143, Stephen McLoughlin); €100: Mark Donovan (1613, Jimmy O’Connor); €100: Duggy Bolger (1409, Jimmy O’Connor); €100: Mark Crowther (1138, Self); €100: Conor Duggan (0077, Seamus Greene); €100: Paul Dwyer (2148, Online); €100: Tony O’Connell (0004, Jimmy O’Connor); €100 Emma McDonagh (1084, Liam McDonagh); €50: Conal Devine (2115, Online); €50 John Fitzpatrick (1726, Stephen Lambert); €50 Edward Smith Jnr (1294, Ed Smith Snr); €50: Brian Mulcahy (0060, Self); €50 Barbara Byrne (2098, Online); €50: Ray Cullen (1752, Online); €50: Kayla & Mason Maguire (1650, Seany Maguire); €50: Ted Conway (0945, Tom Hynes); €50 Paul Saunders (1023, Dave Saunders); €50 Sean O’Connor (1872, Online).

EARLY BIRD DRAW (November 20th)

10 prizes of €200: Robert Dunne (Ticket number: 1903, Seller: Online); Brian Rogan (0279, Self); Ted Costello (0058, David Rothwell); Daniel Rogan (0297, Brian Rogan); Brendan McCourt (0715, John Whelan); Stephen Lynch (0322, Dave Cooke); Jessica Smyth (1451, D. Smyth); Willie D’Arcy (1150, Joe Carr); Mark Crowther (1380, Self); Deirdre O’Brien (1395, Willy O’Brien).

HALLOWEEN DRAW (October 30th)

10 prizes of €100: Alice Challoner (Ticket number: 0884, Seller: Gerry McGrath); Gary Delahunty (1265, Frank Delahunty); Harry & Audrey (0157, Mick Scully); Declan Coughlan (0583, Self); T. Cassin (0873, Self); Niall Hanlon (1757, Online); Ryan Dowling (1000, Noel Donohoe); Geraldine Whelan (0656, Sean O’Connor); Maria McGee (0402, Pancho); Abby O’Connor (1717, Jimmy O’Connor).

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that academy graduate Cian Byrne has signed a new multi-year contract with the first team.

The centre-back, having come through at our partner club St Kevin’s Boys from the age of 12, has impressed for our League of Ireland academy teams from the age of 14 right the way up to captaining the Bohemians U19s to Enda McGuill Cup success in November.

That progression was rewarded with an appearance off the bench in the first team’s friendly away to Union Berlin last season.

He was subsequently handed his competitive senior debut as a second-half substitute in our FAI Cup win against Lucan United before making his league bow in our victory against Sligo Rovers on the final day of the season.

The 19-year-old said: “I am buzzing to get going in the first-team set-up. The hard work for me starts now and I’m really looking forward to being in a full-time environment.

“I know I made my debut this year but I want to push myself further and break into the team.

“I am from close to Dalymount and grew up around the area, so because of that and the link with St Kevin’s, Bohs was always naturally the club for me.”

Praising coaches who have impacted his development to date, Byrne is now aiming impress and learn from another one as he looks to hit the ground running with the first team in Declan Devine’s first season in charge.

He added: “I was a bit of a late developer, and didn’t play as often as I wanted with the U15s but I really got my chance with the U17s under Jimmy Mowlds.

“He brought me into the team and I was playing more and more, so I grew in confidence as a result. Then, with the U19s, with Craig Sexton and then Seán L’Estrange, Keith Long told me that my best chance of progressing to the first team was at centre-half.

“I had previously been switching from defensive midfielder to centre-half, so I have worked hard since to nail that down as my position and to learn the position.

“My personal goal for next year is to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way and get as many first-team minutes as I can, and take the jersey from whoever starts the season ahead of me.

“Declan has brought great players back to the club, and brought exciting new ones in too. I am looking forward to training and learning from them.

“They are lads with so much experience of the league and I want to learn from them, their day-to-day habits and how they carry themselves on and off the pitch.”

Bohemian Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of striker Dean Williams from Drogheda United on a multi-year deal.

Welcoming Williams to Dalymount Park, manager Declan Devine said: “Deano is a Dublin-based player and that is something I want at the club; local lads who get the club and who will have a feel for it.

“He is a young player who I feel is going to have a big future in this league.

“He is going to really benefit from coming back into a full-time environment and I feel that will enable him to push on as a player to another level.

“He is a different kind of striker to what we have at the club. I feel he is going to be a real poacher for us, and will get important goals for the club.”

Williams, 22, came through the ranks at Shamrock Rovers before loan spells with Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers and Longford Town, before moving to Drogheda United ahead of this season.

Williams said: “I have come here to be a goalscorer. That is what fans will expect and that is what I will expect from myself. I want to play well every week, and I will be giving 110%.

“It is great for me to be going back full-time. Obviously this year I was part-time with Drogheda United, which can be difficult, so the opportunity to go full-time was a big part in me wanting to come to Bohs.

“I think I have done well in the last year and a half, but I feel it is time for me to push on and go back to a full-time set-up and I’m delighted that is going to be with a club like Bohemians.

“We want to be up chasing with the top teams. The quality of players that Declan is bringing in has been really good so far. Hopefully it keeps going like that and we can bring in more good players and have a right go next season.”

Bohemian Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of forward James Akintunde from Derry City on a multi-year deal.

The 26-year-old Englishman joins after three seasons on Foyleside having been signed for the Candystripes by Declan Devine in 2020.

Looking forward to being reunited with the frontman, Bohs manager Devine said: “When James became available it was a no-brainer for me to try to bring him to Bohemians.

“I brought him to Ireland, and I know all of his qualities and attributes. He will offer us tremendous versatility in the front three positions.

“He also knows the league now, has proven himself over the last number of years here, and is an even better player than when I brought him to Derry City.

“He will give 110% effort in training and in games, and ticks all the boxes of the kind of player we want and need to have at the club.”

Akintunde said: “I am so grateful for this opportunity to sign for such a big club.

“I have been in Ireland for several seasons, and I am really looking forward to a new chapter in my career.

“I know Declan Devine from the past and that was a big part in me wanting to come here.

“I am really looking forward to working with him again. He has brought in some really good players too, and I cannot wait to meet them, the staff and supporters.

“It is an exciting time for the club. Going full-time will make a massive difference. It will bring great togetherness and help build a team spirit right from the start.

“I have always enjoyed playing at Dalymount Park too, and I’ve scored a few goals there! So I hope I can score a lot more now.”

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Gary Cronin as men’s first-team assistant manager to Declan Devine.

The club can also confirm that Derek Pender’s dedicated service to the club will continue into its 12th year as he remains as first-team coach next season.

Meanwhile, as the first team transitions to morning training and a full-time set-up next season, we are delighted to confirm that Trevor Croly, having served as assistant manager for the past six seasons, will now assume a new role within the club’s academy.

Cronin comes to Dalymount having managed Longford Town last season. His footballing career is synonymous with Longford and Bray Wanderers having played for, coached and managed both clubs.

Cronin said: “After speaking to people within this club over the past number of weeks, everyone speaks about Bohemians with pride and with their chest out, and rightfully so.

“I am really looking forward to joining a club that will be operating in a proper full-time environment. It is something that I have always wanted to do, and I can’t wait to get started.

“It is a fresh start for the club. Declan has come in and I am really impressed about his plans for what he wants to do. I want to support him and be a part of that.

“For me, I am bringing experience to the club from my time as both a coach and a manager in this league. It is important for Declan to have that behind him as this is a massive club and he has a massive job. He needs to be able to rely on me and the rest of the backroom team.

“This is a unique club in terms of its model in this country. It has started to dawn on me that when we lead the team out next year, a couple of thousand of the people in the ground are owners of this club.

“This is their club, so it is our job as a backroom team to make sure that the football team gives everything for those people.

“The atmosphere in Dalymount is something special. It was always a great atmosphere when I came here to play against Bohs. The place can be electric, the fans are close to the pitch, and they get behind their team.

“I have always felt Dalymount was a great place to come and play football. There is a huge history here and we want to add to that.”

Devine said: “I have watched Gary’s progress as a coach and manager from afar and he is someone I have been really, really impressed with.

“I watched Gary’s teams at Bray and Longford, and I have always been impressed with how they have been set up and how his sides express themselves, and many players that Gary has coached and helped develop have gone on to be extremely successful.

“He will be a huge asset as we evolve into a full-time set-up. I am delighted to welcome him to the club, and I think players and staff will really take to him.

“For me it was really important to keep Derek Pender at the club too. When you come to a club for the first time, you try to assess the people around you.

“What I have seen from Detser is incredible dedication, and someone who is going to have a fantastic future in coaching. This club means absolutely everything to him and he is the kind of person I want working with me.

“I am also delighted that Trevor has committed to staying with the club.

“He has already contributed so much to this club in his six years here, and the wealth of experience and knowledge of the game that he has from his time at this club, but also from managing and coaching in the league for 17 years, will be an absolutely incredible addition to our academy structure as we look to continue to develop and bring players through to the first team.”