The two meetings between the sides at Tallaght Stadium since then were both very close affairs from which Bohs emerged empty-handed.

Daniel Lafferty’s fourth-minute goal in September was enough to give the home side all three points.

And back in April, a bewildering refereeing decision at 1-1 when Bohs were in the ascendancy saw Rovers awarded a penalty from which they scored the winner, while James Finnerty was shown a red card for the same incident.

Dougie Bolger was the first fan in on Friday – Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Home fans in attendance in Dalymount will be hoping their vocal support can help their side over the line this time around.

Those lucky 100 aside, all other Bohemians will have to contend themselves from supporting the team from home on a stream once more.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and Long, his staff and players, have been all too aware of those fans every time they have taken to the pitch since football returned behind closed doors last August.

Long said: “It’s such a pity we won’t have more of a crowd in behind us for this considering the atmosphere the derby creates in Dalymount.

“But it was brilliant to have some fans back in the ground, even if it’s only 100 or so.

“They got right behind the lads on Friday, even during the warm-ups. It makes a huge difference having that support during the game and after it as well.

“The boys put on a bit of a display for them as well with a 5-0 win so we are pleased with that.

“Even though it is a limited number for now, it means a lot having them back in the stadium. We have really missed them.

“Dalymount is a special place to play football but what makes it even more special is when you have fans there; when the Jodi Stand is rammed with supporters right behind the team.

Georgie Kelly jumped top of the league’s goalscoring charts – Luke O’Riordan

“We have a team now that can excite supporters. We have a team with real talent and I think supporters will have enjoyed some of the performances we have put in here at home recently, so hopefully it won’t be too long before we can have more inside the ground.”

Long is right to say his side put on a display – Georgie Kelly grabbed the headlines with his stunning and deserved four-goal haul putting him top of the league’s goalscoring charts with 10.

But Bohs were purring in the middle of the park too, particularly in the second half after a more testing opening 45 despite going in at the break with a firm two-goal lead.

Ross Tierney was only on the pitch 69 minutes but in that time helped himself to four assists, propelling him to joint-top of the division assists chart with seven.

Still only 20, Tierney has been a standout performer this season having come through St Kevin’s, the Bohs-SKB U17s and the Bohemians U19s.

His replacement on Friday, 16-year-old debutant Jamie Mullins, will hope to follow a similar development path having started with St Kevin’s with their U9s and having won the league with the Bohs-SKB U17s last season under Derek Pender. He certainly did not look out of place on Friday.

Skipper Keith Buckley welcomes Jamie Mullins on for his debut – Stephen Burke

Long said: “Georgie got four goals on Friday and he was full value for them. His second goal was particularly important for us because Drogheda are a good side, they’ve been playing really well, and we needed that second goal.

“We certainly didn’t have it all our own way in the first half – Drogheda created chances. But we got ourselves 2-0 in front at half-time.

“We addressed a few things at half-time and we went out determined that we would get the next goal as that would be really important – and we went out and got it in 20 or 30 seconds.

“It was a brilliant goal by Liam Burt after some great work by Ross, who was immense in the build-up.

“Ross was fantastic throughout. He’s a great kid with incredible energy. He’s only 20 and still improving too, so he can only get better.”

Ross Tierney slips the ball through for Georgie Kelly’s opener – Stephen Burke

While the attacking players got all of the attention, Long was happy too with the side’s performance at the back.

Much has been talked about Bohs’ habit of conceding late goals – turning wins into draws and draws into defeats – too often at times this season, including the previous game against Derry City where Bohs conceded in the 93rd minute having taken the lead nine minutes previously through a wonder strike from Ali Coote.

Those lapses in concentration are at the back of everyone’s mind, so keeping a clean sheet was perhaps as pleasing as the goals scored at the other end.

One man central to that defensive display was Ciarán Kelly, who really has had to bide his time to break into the team since his arrival ahead of the 2020 season.

Last year he was a victim of the truncated football schedule necessitated by Covid-19 that cut the number of league games in half, and abandoned other opportunities for players to stake their claim, such as the EA Sports Cup and Leinster Senior Cup.

In all, he managed just 93 minutes of league football for Bohs in 2020 and an appearance in the FAI Cup against First Division Cabinteely.

Rather than take that disappointing return to heart, the former St Pat’s man seized the opportunity of a three-month loan spell with Ballymena United. He became a key man for David Jeffrey’s side in that time, featuring in 12 games and scoring once.

Since returning to Dalymount Park in January, injuries to Rob Cornwall and James Finnerty have seen the 22-year-old afforded his first extended run in the team. He has featured in 11 of Bohs’ 16 league games this season, starting nine of those, including the last five in a row.

Ciarán Kelly battles for possession with Chris Lyons - Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Long added: “It is important that we build a platform from the back where we don’t concede. We have dropped too many points late in games this year.

“We feel we should have more points than we have and there’s no doubt that the key to that changing is keeping clean sheets.

“Ciarán can play his part in that. It’s a good news story when you persevere and that when you get setbacks, you don’t roll over.

“Ciarán has come into the team and he has been really good. He hasn’t had it all his own way here at all – he has had to be very patient.

“It’s been tough for Ciarán at times but he’s come through it, he’s been resilient and he’s learning. He’s constantly improving and he’s getting the rewards for his performances now.

“He’s been quite consistent for us since coming into the team. He has shown that work ethic and tenacity to get his rewards when a chance to play came his way.”

TEAM NEWS

James Finnerty, who pulled out of the squad late on Friday due to tonsillitis, is available again as is Promise Omochere (quad).

Stephen McGuinness (arm) is rated 50/50, while Stephen Mallon, who shipped a heavy knock late on Friday night, will be assessed again ahead of the game.

Ross Tierney left his marker for dead in the middle of the park with a clever drop of the shoulder, and had the quality to play a delightful slide-rule pass to split the Drogheda defence to Kelly, who tucked it way past the onrushing David Odumoso.

Tim Clancy’s men, fresh and full of confidence from a fantastic away win at joint table-toppers Sligo Rovers, remained unchanged and showed no signs of dropping their heads, and responded well to the setback.

Chris Lyons, who started the game as the league’s joint top scorer, almost added to his impressive haul when he showed excellent quick feet in the area to fashion half a yard for himself, but his strike was inches away from the top corner.

The visitors again showed moments of real class with an incredible passing move cutting through the Bohs midfield, resulting in Ronan Murray having a go from all of 30 yards with a powerful left-footed drive, which James Talbot was forced to tip over.

There was relentless pressure continued, forcing Bohs to defend doggedly, with cross after cross bombarding Talbot’s area. But just as it looked as if the pressure might tell, the Gypsies hit back with a swift counter-attack through Tierney and Dawson Devoy, with the latter seeing his gilt-edged chance well saved.

Drogheda failed to clear their lines from the resulting set piece and Georgie Kelly added to his haul for the evening.

Rob Cornwall, making his return from injury, floated a deep cross to the back post towards Tierney, who rose incredibly well to win the header, and as the ball
dropped in the area, the unmarked Kelly did the rest, volleying home to make it two.

The visitors opted for a double change to try to drag themselves back into the tie, with ex-Bohs fan favourite Dinny Corcoran and Killian Phillips, replacing Jake Hyland and, more surprisingly, Chris Lyons.

But before the duo had a chance to make an impact, the hosts added a third almost immediately.

Liam Burt was the man who put the finishing touches to yet another swift break, with Tierney fizzing in a ball form the right wing to Kelly’s feet, but must have had eyes in the back of his head, as he stepped over the ball and let it run through to the flying Scotsman to calmly finish.

Drogheda just had no answer to Ireland U21 star Tierney, who was central to everything that was good from Bohs.

The 20-year old was really enjoying himself and again showed why he is so highly rated as he forced the fourth.

Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, Tierney went on a dribble, attracting most of the Drogheda defence, with the ball eventually spilling to Kelly, who showed supreme composure to step around Odumoso and slot home for his hat-trick.

There were still more than 15 minutes to play when Georgie incredibly grabbed his fourth of the game. Substitute Stephen Mallon clipped a delightful cross from the left wing right on the money, as Kelly lobbed his header beautifully over the on-rushing Drogheda stopper.

A clinical performance from Keith Long’s men in the end, who will be delighted to drag themselves closer to the top four, and sets the Phibsboro side up nicely for a mouthwatering Dublin Derby against the old enemy Shamrock Rovers on Monday night.

But in direct contrast, Tim Clacy looked on as bewildered as he was frustrated with how his team defended on the night and will have to put it right quickly, as they face Dundalk in just three days’ time.

Bohemians: James Talbot, Rory Feely, Rob Cornwall, Ciaran Kelly, Ali Coote (Stephen Mallon 62), Liam Burt (Keith Ward 62), Georgie Kelly (Bastien Héry 74), Conor Levingston, Tyreke Wilson, Ross Tierney (Jamie Mullins 69), Dawson Devoy (Keith Buckley 62). Unused substitutes: Enda Minogue, Anto Breslin, Keith Buckley, Jack Moylan, Seán Grehan.

Drogheda United: David Odumoso, James Brown, Conor Kane, Daniel O’Reilly, Darragh Markey, Gary Deegan (Luke Heeney 59), Chris Lyons (Dinny Corcoran 45), Jake Hyland (Killian Phillips 45), Mark Doyle (James Clarke 59), Ronan Murray (Jordan Adeyemo 59), Dane Massey
Unused substitutes: Colin McCabe, Brandon Bermingham, Charles Mutawe, Ryan O’Shea.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

“On Monday, we deservedly put a number on Dundalk and we were delighted with how clinical the team were on the night.

“It would have been easy for the team to lament the concession of a late goal in Inchicore last Friday when a superb team performance did not translate into points on the board, so in that context, our performance was really excellent and full of character.”

Georgie Kelly was the man of the moment as he went home with the match ball after a perfect hat-trick – left foot, right foot and header – in the 5-1 win against his former club.

Long said: “It is fair to say that Georgie needed the confidence boost and despite his overall performances being very good it is always good when your striker gets on the scoresheet.

“I think the reaction of the dressing room after the game when Georgie came in with the match ball spoke volumes as to the esteem he is held within the group and I hope Georgie will continue to grow in a Bohs jersey.”

Both the result and classy style of play were all the more pleasing given key men in midfield and the heart of defence were missing.

Long said: “Equally as pleasing was the team performance minus our captain Keith Buckley and vice-captain Rob Cornwall through injuries.

“To a man, the boys stepped up and despite whatever difficulties Dundalk may be experiencing at this time they are still a squad full of quality players so nothing should detract from what our boys did on the night.

“Rory Feely was majestic at centre=back and, alongside Ciarán Kelly who was also excellent, restricted Dundalk attacking threats to a minimum.

“Andy Lyons was superb at right-full and fully deserves his Ireland U21 call-up along with Dawson Devoy, whose performances defy his tender years and his development as a footballer of real substance is there for all to see.

“Conor Levingston coming into the engine room after a period out of the team again epitomised the collective spirit within the group.

“It can be difficult to come in and perform after a lengthy lay-off but I thought Conor was fantastic and again reminds us of the quality he possesses and what he offers the team.

“An unassuming character, Conor is made of the right stuff. Ali Coote and Liam Burte continue to improve and show their qualities. The lads have real quality on the ball, and both have the ability to create and score goals which is a real asset for the team.”

Bohs may once again be without senior men Buckley and Cornwall who are both rated as doubtful, while Tyreke Wilson, who took the captain’s armband in their absence and score Bohs’ second on Monday with a thunderous free-kick, sits this one out as a result of the two yellow cards he picked up in the game.

Long said: “The only blemish on the night was the dismissal of Tyreke for two yellow cards having scored a brilliant free-kick and captaining the team on the night.

“I can understand why the referee deems the first tackle a yellow but for me that was a good, strong challenge and if we are taking that out of the game we might as well become basketball or some other non-contact sport.

“I’m not proportioning blame to the ref as he has to adhere to the Laws of the game. The second yellow for a tug on the jersey is very harsh but again the referees are dictated to by the laws. There is no allowance for commonsense in such scenarios and we just have to accept it and move on.

“A silver lining in this for us is the fact that we have Anto Breslin chomping at the bit to play and his contribution coming on for the sacrificed Ross Tierney shows you what type of character he is. Anto has never let us down, in fact he has been brilliant since he arrived at the club and was excellent when called upon and will continue to be a very important member of this team.”

TEAM NEWS

Tyreke Wilson is suspended while Keith Buckley (leg), Rob Cornwall (ankle) and James Finnerty (wrist) are doubts.

Stephen Mallon (metatarsal) could be named in the squad for the first time.