Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that Rachel McGrath has re-signed for the 2024 season.

Manager Ken Kiernan said: “Rachel is an extremely versatile attacking player. For such a young player, she has a lot of experience around the league.

“An excellent attitude towards her own development and always looking to make improvements personally and on a team front, we are delighted that she has agreed to sign for the 2024 season.”

Bohs kick off our 2024 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign away to Wexford tomorrow.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that defender Abbie O’Hara has re-signed for the 2024 season.

Manager Ken Kiernan said: “Abbie is one of the most versatile players in the group – a very good defender that senses danger well and is excellent in 1v1 duels.

“She is great at passing information to her teammates in game, and she has a really quick turn of pace going both ways. She can beat players and deliver great balls into deliberate areas of the final third if playing higher.

“A player you look forward to seeing at training because of an incredible attitude and fantastic personality, she loves the club, and all the coaches were delighted when she agreed to re-sign.”

Bohs kick off our 2024 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign away to Wexford this Saturday.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that goalkeeper Medbh Ryan has re-signed for the 2024 season.

Manager Ken Kiernan said: “We are delighted Medbh has signed back.

“Medbh has been excellent throughout pre-season working with goalkeeping coach Dave Henderson.

“She has brilliant reactions around the goal and a great ability to play over a press and find wide players or centre forwards.

“She has improved week on week, and is brilliant around the group. She is an extremely popular character, who is always positive and trains really well in every session.”

Bohs kick off their 2024 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign away to Wexford this Saturday.

Bohs kick off our 2024 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign away to Wexford this Saturday.

Declan Devine believes Bohemians’ defeat to Drogheda United must serve as a wake-up call for his side when Shelbourne provide the opposition at Dalymount Park tomorrow.

Bohs went into Monday’s game buoyed by a 1-0 win against St Patrick’s Athletic in their previous outing but Devine was left deeply frustrated as his side crumbled against Drogs at Weavers Park.

He said: “Our general play was unrecognisable to the game against St Pat’s. It was a really disappointing night, and a really disappointing team performance. We lacked intensity about our play, and the manner of the goals that we gave away was very disappointing.

“Having had the performance we had in Inchicore, Monday was a strange night for us. It wasn’t good enough, and is a night that we want to put to bed. We want a response from the players because we know we are better than that.

“It has got to serve as a wake-up call for us. We have to make sure that every time we take to the pitch we have got to bring the intensity we are capable of with us onto the pitch, and we have to be structured in how we approach games.

“There was a huge element of luck in the two goals Drogheda scored but both were very preventable. We have to make sure that if anyone is to do anything against us that they have to work a hell of a lot harder for it than Drogheda did.

“The last couple of weeks have been important for us on the training pitch with so many new players in and getting everyone up to speed. But we all know that our work in training has to be replicated on the pitch, and we let ourselves down on Monday night.

“As a group, we have spoken about that, and now we have to go out and perform and put the Drogheda result and performance to bed.”

But the fixture list doesn’t get any easier with Shelbourne, early league leaders with three wins and a draw from their opening four games, the opposition at Dalymount Park.

Devine said: “We understand the disappointment from Monday, but this game couldn’t come quick enough for us and we have been looking forward to it all week.

“I am happy with how the group has gelled in training. They have been together now a wee bit longer, have got to know each other, and now it is a case of them going out there and showing what they are capable of against difficult opponents.

“When we play in Dalymount, there is no better place to play. But we have a responsibility as well to make sure the fans have something to get behind. Our form at Dalymount last year was strong, and we need to build on that now. Our home form has to be right on the money.

“Shelbourne have had an outstanding start to the season and have already had some big wins. They have performed very well and have strengthened their squad very well as well.

“Our games against Shelbourne last year were generally tight affairs, so we know that going into the game that we are going to have to be at our very best.

“But we are very much looking forward to playing at Dalymount Park. We were disappointed that the game against Dundalk last Friday was called off as we want to be putting in performances in front of our home fans.

“It’s a big rival now coming into our backyard now, another Dublin derby, so there is no extra motivation needed.”

Team news

Paddy Kirk and Declan McDaid are doubts with knock.

James McManus will miss this one but will continue his recovery from a foot injury by playing for the U20s this weekend.

Keith Buckley (knee) and Rob Cornwall (knee) remain out.

Declan Devine says taking to the pitch in Drogheda without the usual vocal support of travelling Bohemians fans behind them will be a strange feeling but has told his side they will need to adjust quickly as they look to build on their encouraging start to the new season.

Devine believes there was no option but to call off Friday’s game against Dundalk, with the Dalymount pitch completely covered in snow. It was disappointing for a side keen to get out on the pitch and impress, but Devine said they made the most of the postponement with extra time on the training pitch over the weekend.

Devine said: “I think the right call was made to call the game off on Friday. Everyone was eager to get out and play but I walked the pitch and it was totally unplayable. It would have put both sets of players in jeopardy, and it was the same at other venues across both divisions.

“It was a strange weekend not having a game but it gave us an extra day’s training and with so many new lads settling in, that was a positive in itself too as the more time we have working together on the training pitch with all the new players we have, the more the players will get to know each other and the better prepared we will be.

“All the new lads have had a really good week’s training together with the group now. They have seriously added to the quality of the group, and I feel that training has been at a really high level all week.

“It was disappointing not to have a game on Friday so we are delighted we are back out on the pitch on Monday now as the players are all chomping at the bit to get out and play, and the St Pat’s game already feels like a lifetime ago.”

There will be no Bohemians fans in attendance at Weavers Park as a result of a one-game supporters ban imposed on the club following incidents during the second half of the 1-0 win away to St Patrick’s Athletic last time out.

Devine addressed his frustrations at those incidents in his remarks prior to Friday’s postponed game and also stated his hope that supporters would learn from the fall-out of what happened, regroup and all pull together in the one direction once more.

But for now, his focus is on making sure his players adjust to the unfamiliarity of playing at a venue with no Bohs fans in attendance.

He added: “There is an excitement within the group right now, everyone wants to be out playing and everyone wants to impress. We have real depth to our squad now and that is something I feel will be really important to us, that we are able to make changes as games evolve.

“But there is no denying that it is going to be strange for us going to a venue – one where we are so used to having such a vocal support behind us – and to not have that this time.

“That is going to have to be something we adjust to very quickly. It will be in the back of our minds that even though our fans cannot be there in person, we know that they will all be at home or meeting up in the pub to watch on LOITV.

“We want to go out and give another good performance and ensure that they enjoy their night wherever they are watching from. So all eyes will be on us again and we have to go out and perform. Drogheda is always a tough venue for any team, and we will have to be at our very best.”

Team news

Paddy Kirk is a doubt with a knock. Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot) remain out.

Declan Devine has challenged Bohemians to build on the discipline, self-belief and togetherness they showed last week when Dundalk provide the opposition at Dalymount Park tomorrow night.

Jordan Flores, captain in the continued absence of Keith Buckley, was the star of the show when Bohs came away from Richmond Park with all three points against St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday, leading by example in an unfamiliar role in the heart of defence and grabbing the winner from the spot.

Devine was full of praise for his team, but says that pats on the back are in the past now and the task for his players is to show they can deliver back-to-back performances.

He said: “For me, Jordan Flores is one of the best midfield players in the country. When you take him a step back into a deeper position, because of his game intelligence and knowledge, he sees things happening in front of them. The experience that he has gained throughout his career, he smells danger.

“People perceive Jordan to be an attacking midfield player. But when I work with Jordan on a daily basis, his knowledge and understanding of the game really puts him in the top bracket of players across the pitch. He is only as good as the people around him too, and he had brilliant protection in front of him in Brian McManus and Adam McDonnell, and alongside him in Paddy Kirk and Cian Byrne.

“That is key to us, that our units are comfortable playing with different personnel, and that if you are having a bit of a tough time, there is somebody who will give you a dig out. Jordan Flores was that man last week, and it was very fitting that he got the winner because it was a ten out of ten performance.

“It was a very positive team performance in many ways. It was a performance full of discipline, self-belief and togetherness. There was a real honesty about the group.

“Right through the spine of the team, there were big performances – James Clarke, Jordan Flores, Cian Byrne. Kacper Chorazka was very calm, and Adam McDonnell had an outstanding game as did Brian McManus.

“We also had real comfort in Paddy Kirk and Michael Lilander defending brilliantly well, and a real threat from the wings in Dylan Connolly and Dayle Rooney.

“But we know it is just one game – a really positive performance away from home – and that we have to draw a line under last week. Those pats on the back are gone now, we have to do it again this week.

“The sign of a really good team is back-to-back performances. I have no doubt we are capable of it. We go into this game having prepared very well this week. It’s been fantastic having the new signings in. I thought last week that Filip Piszczek had a huge impact when he came on for Sten Reinkort.

“When we get these boys fully up to speed, I think we have some really brilliant additions to the squad. What we have now is a real depth in quality and serious competition for places and you need that in weeks like this where we are heading into three games in eight days.”

The first of those sees Stephen O’Donnell’s Lilywhites provide the opposition at Dalymount tomorrow. Devine is clear that they will pose a huge threat, and says he is not reading too much into their defeat to Galway United last week.

He said: “I have been very impressed by Dundalk. I watched them in pre-season, I watched the game against Shamrock Rovers where I felt they were outstanding. I thought last week that they were very unfortunate to lose against Galway United. They had huge chances and there were periods of the game where they were well on top. The game could have been 3-3 or 4-4.

“I’ve no doubt that they are coming here to have a go. We really have to be at our best. I know I say that a lot, but this is going to be a really tough game and the players know that.”

Devine was frustrated by the scenes last week that saw flares thrown on the pitch and endanger his players.

The club has been sanctioned by the FAI as a result, with fans banned from Monday’s game away to Drogheda United, and Devine said that lessons must be learned to ensure there is no recurrence of such incidents.

Devine added: “From our point of view, we are all going to suffer on Monday night by not having our away support there. Players, staff and fellow supporters, everyone suffers. It is something we obviously don’t want to happen again.

“But what I will say is this. From the day and hour that I came to this club, when Dalymount Park is bouncing, or any away section is bouncing with Bohs fans, that rapport between the players and supporters is second to none. It is worth points to this club, and is something quite unique to this club.

“We got across the line last week at the end because of the backing of our supporters. But what happened earlier in the game isn’t on, and I think everyone accepts that. It’s just not on – that a player gets hit and gets hurt.

“But when mistakes are made, the most important thing is that people learn from them. I know the support that our fans have given for many years has meant to the players of this club and that’s what I want to see continue.

“You only have to look back a week previously to the display that was done for James Talbot. That, for me, shows the decency and togetherness of people at this club, and the rapport that our members and supporters have with our players.

“That display made me feel emotional walking out onto the pitch at Dalymount Park – knowing that our fans love and care so much for James Talbot that they would go to that effort to show it. I know it meant the world to the players too.

“So, when every one of us is pulling in the same direction, and the fans are behind the players and the players are doing everything they can to send the fans home happy, this is a really special club.

“We can’t let one night of bad decisions change that. We don’t need bad decisions like that again so I would say to the fans not to dwell on it but, yes, we must learn from it.

“Our supporters have been brilliant and just need to take a moment to regroup, to learn from what happened, and to recognise that we are all in this together.

“If we keep pulling in the one direction with everyone behind each other, then we can have a really good year together. We want to go and make an impression on and off the pitch. I want the opposition to know that, not only are Bohs a good team but they have the best fans in the country too.”

Team news

Adam McDonnell is a doubt with a knock. Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot) remain out.

Match sponsors: Conduent Transportation

Tomorrow’s match sponsor is Conduent Transportation. Transforming how cities, and towns, keep people moving. With people, process, advanced technologies and analytics, Conduent’s intelligent public transport management systems deliver mobility and payment solutions that cut congestion and create safe, seamless journeys for everyone. They have kindly given their match hospitality tickets to kids from the local Bradóg Youth Services, and send their best wishes that they enjoy their matchday experience at Dalymount Park. See Conduent Transportation – Transforming how cities, and towns, keep people moving for more details.

Established in 1890, Dublin’s Bohemian Football Club is one of the oldest clubs in Irish football. The club is 100% fan-owned and aims to use football as a force for good in society. In recent years, we have developed our LOI Academy with teams in every age group, both boys and girls. In addition to the League of Ireland teams, the club also has over 40 community teams, both boys and girls which feed into academy teams for high potential players.

In 2023, the club acquired the long-term leasehold of the Oscar Traynor Centre as our new Academy base. This was the first acquisition of land by the club in over a hundred years and we have ambitious plans to redevelop the centre into Ireland’s leading football academy.

These significant increases, in number of teams and resources committed to them, as well as a major facility acquisition have created the environment for our new Head of Academy (HOA) to deliver Ireland’s best academy environment and this position is now open for applications,

Summary: Reporting to the Director of Football, we require a full-time Head of Academy. Tasked with the strategic leadership and management of all aspects of the Academy. With outstanding communication and organisational skills, the Head of Academy will lead a large multi-disciplinary team with the aim of consistently delivering young players into Bohemian FC senior teams.

Job Description: Download here

Applications open until: Friday March 15 2024

To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter to applications@bohemians.ie

Bohemian FC condemns unequivocally the actions of individuals within our support base during Friday’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division game away against St Patrick’s Athletic.

These incidents, when multiple flares were thrown onto the pitch at the start of the second half, represented an unacceptable and reckless escalation of behaviour that endangered the safety of players from both teams and the safety of our own supporters.

Bohemian FC players required medical attention after being struck by the flares, while we have received reports from our own supporters of being struck by flares thrown in the direction of the pitch.

There can be no justification of this. We have consistently reminded members and supporters of the collective responsibility of all in attendance at our games to help create an atmosphere and environment where supporters feel safe.

All supporters should by now be well aware of the potential consequences and league sanctions for clubs when incidents of this nature occur.

It is therefore extremely frustrating for the overwhelming majority of our fanbase that a small number of individuals proceeded to wilfully behave in this way regardless of the potential consequences for the club and supporters.

We take their actions extremely seriously, and the club is now in the process of reviewing all available footage and photographs from Friday’s game with the aim of identifying those responsible, and can confirm that anyone identified as throwing flares will be indefinitely banned from Bohemians games.

Declan Devine wants Bohemians to hit the ground running when they make the short trip to Richmond Park to take on St Patrick’s Athletic in a Dublin derby tonight.

Bohs come into the game on the back of a busy transfer deadline, with Devine adding four defenders – Divin Isamala, Aboubacar Keita, Luke Matheson and Jevon Mills – to his squad for 2024.

But once the transfer window shut, focus immediately returned to this evening’s trip to Inchicore.

St Pat’s fans have the bragging rights in this fixture having beaten Bohs in both the 2023 and 2021 FAI Cup finals, and Devine knows his side will have to be out of the traps early to help banish those memories.

Devine said: “This is the kind of game as a fan, a player and a manager that you should really look forward to – two local rivals going toe to toe.

“Richmond Park is a brilliant place to go and play football as well, and there is always a good atmosphere between both sets of supporters.

“We went to Richmond Park last year and had two positive performances but it doesn’t count for anything now. St Pat’s have brought in a lot of new bodies, we have brought in a lot of new bodies but it is a Dublin derby with both teams determined to have a positive result.

“It’s St Pat’s first home game so I would expect them to look to start the game with a really high level and high tempo. But we want to start like that too.”

Bohs were rocked in their season opener against Sligo Rovers last week when Rob Cornwall was forced off injured after just 30 minutes. Scans later revealed the worst, with the 29-year-old set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his ACL.

That loss disrupted Bohs, and they needed a late goal from James Clarke to salvage a draw against the Bit O’Red.

But bolstered by yesterday’s additions, Devine believes there is a lot to be excited about this season.

He said: “We go into this game with a lot of self-belief and we are pleased with where our squad is now.

“There were positives last week, scoring late on to get something from the game, the two goals we scored were very high quality, and there were a lot of players playing for Bohs for the first time and playing in Dalymount for the first time. But we know we have to be better, particularly at the back.

“Last week we lost Rob in a moment of the game that I think affected everybody. I could feel it in the crowd, I could feel it on the pitch and I could feel it in the dugout. To lose three stalwarts of the club over the last couple of months in Rob, James Talbot and Keith Buckley is a big blow to us as a group and as a club.

“They are set-backs that we have to take on the chin and I was pleased that we were able to respond to get something out of the game. The subs we brought on last week helped to change the game.

“It shows you the strength in depth that we have at the club that we could bring on two full internationals in Martin Miller and Martin Lilander, as well as bringing Brian McManus for his first appearance, and we are lucky to be able to bring on someone like Dylan Connolly off the bench, and then to bring on Nickson Okosun, one of the most sought-after young players in the league, shows we have talented players coming through too.

“They all had a huge impact on the game, and we added some real quality to our squad yesterday, which I feel will give us brilliant strength in depth this season. We know that there were areas that we needed to strengthen but we have a very strong group of players here now who I believe in. We have a lot of talent, we have great pace in our team, and we have players who can hurt teams.

“The changes in the squad and the improvements in personnel we have this season is something I am very excited about, and we will be in a strong position to push forward in the next couple of weeks, and I think we are in a good place.”

As well as yesterday’s recruits in defence, one new arrival who could feature for the first time tonight is Polish striker Filip Piszczek, and Devine added: “Filip is a big presence. He holds the ball up really well, and attacks crosses really well. At 28 years of age he comes in with great experience.

“He has played over 130 times in the top flight in Poland, which is a very high level. There are not many players in this league with that kind of experience at that high a level. He has been a really positive signing for us, and you can already see how much the players respect and value him, and I think the fans will love what they see when they see him play.”

Team news

Bohemians are without Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot).

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Divin Isamala from St Francis.

The 20-year-old is the 12th addition to Declan Devine’s squad for the 2024 season.

Welcoming Isamala to Dalymount Park, Devine said:

“Divin has been a player that we have been looking at for a long time. He was in with us during pre-season and we were impressed with what we saw.

“He’s a player with a great future ahead of him in the game. He was very close to joining an English Championship club last year so we are delighted that he was chosen to pursue a career here in the League of Ireland with Bohs.

“He’s a big strong lad and I feel he will be a great addition to the group and will add to the great competition we now have in defence.”

First-team players signed for 2024 so far (27): James Akintunde, Keith Buckley, Cian Byrne, Kacper Chorazka, James Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Robert Cornwall, Luke Dennison, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, Divin Isamala, Aboubacar Keita, Paddy Kirk, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Michael Lilander, Luke Matheson, Brian McManus, James McManus, Declan McDaid, Adam McDonnell, Martin Miller, Jevon Mills, Nickson Okosun, Filip Piszczek, Sten Reinkort, Dayle Rooney, James Talbot.