Bohemians got our SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign off to the perfect start last week and manager Ken Kiernan has backed his side to build on that when Athlone Town provide the opposition at Dalymount Park this afternoon.

Bohs kicked off the 2024 season with a 2-0 win away to Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park thanks to goals from Fiona Donnelly and Aoibhe Brennan, and Kiernan was delighted with how his new-look side performed.

Kiernan said: “Wexford are a settled squad with the likes of Ellen Molloy back and with it looks available all you back and they’ve signed some really good players. So it was always going to be a tricky fixture away from home, so we were delighted with the performance and result.

“Every game we played was away in pre-season so they were used to travelling, they were used to being on the road.

“For the first half week, they played really, really well. We moved the ball well and we kept good possession. Even when we lost possession, we were in really good positions to win the ball back, and defensively we were solid.

“There were 12 new players into our senior team this year, and eight kept on from last season. I have to credit all our players and staff, and their commitment levels so far because every player has played a really big part, and in the performance last week.

“Fiona Donnelly stepped up for the first goal and it was a really positive kind of goal to score because it came off the back of something we’d been working on in training on Thursday night, which was really pleasing.

“But Wexford threw everything at us in the second half, as we knew they would. Then Tiegan Ruddy puts a lovely ball in for Savannah Kane, who at 16 years of age, takes the ball down from the air and was really calm under pressure from an experienced defender, plays it out to another 16-year-old in Aoibhe Brennan, who under pressure from the centre-back, spins her, and finds the top corner.

“So it was really pleasing. Every player showed great character, and they managed the game really well.”

This afternoon will be Kiernan’s first time taking charge in the Dalymount dugout, and for so many of his players, their first time playing on the Dalymount pitch in front of Bohemians fans.

Kiernan said: “We’re looking forward to having a really good home crowd. The players have been in and around the community working with the Bohs in the Community programmes – the likes of Lisa Murphy, Katie Malone, Abbie O’Hara and Lisa Phipps – they’ve been around the schools and the locality, and there is a really positive atmosphere around the team and the club.

“The players all in Dalymount recently filming the ad for Dublin Bus. We were there for the guts of a full day, and we spent so long walking the pitch and in the dressing room that you could just feel how excited the group was and how much they were all looking forward to just getting out on the Dalymount pitch and playing a league game in front of our own fans.”

Kiernan was the assistant manager to Ciarán Kilduff at Athlone Town as they lifted the FAI Cup last season, and cannot wait to take on his former club.

He added: “There are a lot of parallels between Athlone Town and Bohemians. There’s a really good squad now at Bohemians after being put together and teams like this tend to grow through the season. All I am seeing in training sessions are players who want to learn, and who want to improve together. They want to back each other up together too.

“I believe from what we have seen in pre-season that we can compete with any team on any Saturday so then it becomes about trying to build consistency, a bit of luck and players staying fit.

“I’d be very positive about where we are. There are three competitions that we are competing in – the league, the FAI Cup and the All-Ireland Cup – so what we’ve seen so far playing the teams that we’ve played and pre-season, I expect us to be competitive right the way through the season.”

Derek Pender says it has been a difficult week for Bohemians players but has backed them to dust themselves down and push on this season.

First-team coach Pender will take the reins against Derry City at Dalymount Park, assisted by Bohs U19 manager Trevor Croly, following the departure of manager Declan Devine and assistant manager Gary Cronin on Sunday.

As Director of Football, Pat Fenlon is overseeing a period of transition at the club, but it will be Pender taking charge of first-team affairs until a permanent manager is appointed.

Pender said: “I know my role, and I know what I have to do to get the players lifted this week and get them looking forward to the next game after what was a very tough week for everybody involved, particularly everybody who has been involved for the last 18 months with Declan.

“It’s never nice to see anybody lose their job but especially for somebody who is such a good person, and who was such a popular person around the club, and with the players and staff. He brought a lot of new players in too, so it was a bit of a shock to them as well.

“So, naturally, it was tough for everyone in training on Monday and Tuesday but, as players and as professionals, you’re gonna have to look forward. That’s really part of our game. You’re always on borrowed time if things aren’t going your way.

“It’s really unfortunate and we’re all hurt and gutted for Declan. We all know that football is never guaranteed for any of us. As a player, you could go out and get injured on a Friday night and your season’s over or you lose a game and you could lose your job as a coach, manager or assistant manager.

“That is the reality of football so no matter what, all you can do is look forward to your next game and give it everything you can and enjoy it, because you never know if you are going to have that the following week.

“We know that our job is to dust ourselves down and look forward because we know that we are only four games in, and we have to try and get a result because the club demands results and demands performances from everybody.

“Having Trevor in with the group has been great for the group in a difficult week and we are lucky to have him because Trevor is one of the best coaches in the country.”

Last Friday’s Dublin derby against Shelbourne was a scrappy affair with both sides cancelling each other out before Bohs eventually succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against the league leaders.

Pender said: “We were reasonably comfortable in the game but it was a really poor game for the spectators because nothing was really happening in it. Then the one mistake we make, the one time that we’re out of position, they punish us.

“But the reaction after they scored the peno was probably the most disappointing thing for me. I think we lacked belief to try and get back in the game and then obviously a set play kills us off then when they score from a header, which was really unfortunate because we were well in the game for long periods.”

It doesn’t get a whole lot easier for Bohs this weekend with second-placed Derry City providing the opposition.

Pender added: “Every week in this league this year is really really tough. Every team is strong and I think, over the course of the season, you’ll see mad results. Everybody can beat anybody, and that’s what we have to want to do against Derry.

“The players have had a tough week but I believe we have a really good group, we are at a massive club and we’re in Dalymount with our home fans behind us.

“Hopefully our fans can give the players a little bit of lift and as coaches, we just have to try and give the players that belief we can win going into the game.

“I certainly believe we are well capable of doing that with the group that we have here. We will make one of two changes, and we know that we need everyone playing to their maximum to get a positive result.”

Team news

Keith Buckley (knee) and Rob Cornwall (knee) remain out, Martin Miller (knee) is a doubt, while James McManus (foot) continued his recovery last week, lining out for the Bohs U20s.

Bohemian FC has today parted company with men’s first team manager Declan Devine.

The Board of Bohemian FC wish to put on record our thanks to Declan for the commitment, determination and enthusiasm he brought to the club since being appointed to the role in October 2022.

He oversaw the club’s transition back to full-time football and his efforts saw Bohs reach the FAI Cup final and narrowly miss out on qualification for Europe through the league last season.

The club has also parted ways with assistant manager Gary Cronin, and the board also wish to thank him for his efforts since his appointment in November 2022.

Director of Football Pat Fenlon will take charge of the team on an interim basis, assisted by first-team coach Derek Pender.

Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the signing of Shauna Carroll ahead of the start of the 2024 season.

The winger joins from Wexford, who Bohs kick off our 2024 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign against tomorrow, having previously played for DLR Waves.

Manager Ken Kiernan said: “Shauna signing is brilliant for our group. A super character on and off the pitch.

“An extremely intelligent footballer with a gifted left foot, she is agile, quick, and gives us another dimension to our attack.

“Her deliveries from crosses and dead balls are excellent, and our coaches are really enjoying working with her.”

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.