​FINN HARPS v BOHEMIANS
Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup 1st Rd
Friday August 11, Finn Park, 8pm

Keith Long has warned Bohemians that they will need to deliver a maximum performance to progress in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup.

Ballybofey hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Bohs but with replays done away with this season until the quarter-final stage, Long feels there is a clarity to their objective tonight.

Long said: “It’s a one-off tie. No replay is unusual and something we haven’t experienced in the FAI Cup.

“But that brings clarity to the situation as the result will be determined on the night. It’s going to be a real battle and we will be up for it.

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Congratulations to Fuad Sule who has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for July.

It’s a massive honour for Fudzer who becomes the first #Bohs player to win the award since Paddy Madden in 2010.

Sule fended off competition from former Cork City striker Seán Maguire, who finished second in the voting. Conan Byrne of St Patrick’s Athletic was third.

The 20-year-old, who last week signed a new contract with the club until the end of next season, hasn’t looked back since breaking into the first team in April.

But his performances in the memorable victories against Shamrock Rovers and Cork City last month stood out in particular.

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The Bohemians supporters bus is bound for Ballybofey this Friday for our Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup first round tie against Finn Harps.

• Departs: 1.30pm sharp (from Dalymount Park/St Peter’s Road Car Park)
• Kick-off: 7.45pm
• Fare: €25
• Email bus@bohemians.ie to reserve your place.

Following two away victories in a week, Keith Long’s Bohemians side welcomed a spiritually depleted Bray Wanderers team to Dalymount Park as the visitors looked to halt their four-match losing streak.

Bohs started the game full of confidence but it was Bray who mustered up the first chance in an uneventful opening quarter as Jason Marks’ low drive forced Shane Supple to tip the ball around the far post.

Bray had Bohs pinned back but the home side managed to win a free kick on the edge of the Bray box as Georgie Poynton was tripped by Karl Moore, but the resulting free kick from Lorcan Fitzgerald came to nothing as Bray cleared the danger.

Bray started the second half the better team and created their best chance of the game as Bohs tried to find their rhythm. Mark Salmon slipped a ball through to Keith Buckley who perfectly executed a turn which beat Fitzgerald and he had space to cross just inside the box and his cross was met by Ryan Brennan who could only fire his header at the waiting Supple.

Bohs nearly created a goal scoring chance out of a long ball from Keith Ward in behind the Wanderers defence as Tim Clancy’s weak header to goalkeeper Lee Steacy was chased down by Izzy Akinade but the Bray shot stopper managed to beat the Nigerian to the ball and the danger was cleared.

Bohs began to put pressure on the Bray back four and a cross from Fuad Sule after a half cleared corner was met bet Dano Byrne, whose powerful header whistled agonisingly past the far post as Bohs pressed for a late winner.

The Gypsies again came close from an aerial position, Patrick Kavanagh was picked out on the edge of the Bray box by Ward and Kavanagh looped a ball in for Akinade, who directed his effort over the cross bar after beating Clancy to the header.

A mountain of late pressure for the home side wasn’t enough as the two sides had to settle for a 0-0 draw which stretches Bohs’ unbeaten run to three games and the draw in Dalymount also stops the Bray rot as they pick up points for the first time in four games.

Our next game is Friday August 11th away to Finn Harps in the FAI Cup.

Bohemian FC: Shane Supple (GK), Derek Pender, Lorcan Fitzgerald (Patrick Kavanagh 67’), Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Dinny Corcoran (Keith Ward 55’), Fuad Sule, Georgie Poynton (Ciaran O’Connor 77’), Ismahil Akinade, Dylan Hayes.
Substitutes: Kian Clarke (GK), Philip Gannon, Keith Ward, Ciaran O’Connor, Eoghan Morgan, Patrick Kavanagh, Ian Morris.
Bray Wanderers: Lee Steacy (GK), John Sullivan (Kevin Lynch 89’), Conor Kenna, Keith Buckley, Ryan Brennan, Mark Salmon, Aaron Greene, Karl Moore, Tim Clancy, Darragh Noone (Gary McCabe 74’), Jason Marks (Ger Pender 77’).
Substitutes: Ryan Coulter (GK), Derek Foran, Gary McCabe, Ger Pender, Kevin Lynch, Anthony Flood, Jake Ellis.
Bookings – Ismahil Akinade 41’ (Bohs), Patrick Kavanagh 73’ (Bohs) Oscar Brennan 77’ (Bohs).

Warren O’Hora, Fuad Sule and Oscar Brennan have signed new contracts to remain at Bohemians until the end of the 2018 season.

Manager Keith Long said: “We are delighted to have secured them for next season. All three have done really well for us since breaking into the team.

“It’s important we retain our best young players. They have an affinity to the club already and we want to grow this group together at Dalymount Park.

“Hopefully this is just the start now and we can get others to commit in the coming weeks.”

Having turned down a scholarship in the United States, defender O’Hora, 18, made his league debut off the bench against St Patrick’s Athletic in June and has missed just one game since.

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BOHEMIANS v BRAY WANDERERS
Friday August 4 2017, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

Keith Long is challenging his buoyant Bohemians side to maintain performance levels as they look to cement their place in the top half of the table.

Against all odds, the Gypsies secured two memorable victories away from home last Friday and Monday.

First, Long’s side came away from Tallaght Stadium with a 2-1 win in the Dublin derby – only the club’s second away victory over Shamrock Rovers since they moved to the stadium in 2009.

Then, despite five changes to his starting XI, Bohs left Turner’s Cross with a 1-0 win after inflicting a first league defeat of the season on runaway champions elect Cork City.

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Last Monday, local youths and Gardai teamed up once again for their annual match at Dalymount Park.

The game, organised by the MOST (Montpellier and O’Devaney Gardens Striving Together) project and the Bohemian Foundation, aims to cement links between Gardai from the Bridewell Garda Station and young people involved with the MOST Garda Youth Diversion Project.

It was attended and supported by local TD Maureen O’Sullivan and Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donncha.

Bohemians first-team players and Bohemian Foundation volunteers Shane Supple and Oscar Brennan were also in attendance to lend their support.

Check out Stephen Burke’s photos from the day: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bfc1890/sets/72157684154616221/

BOHEMIANS v IRELAND AMPUTEE TEAM
Saturday August 5, Dalymount Park, 11.30am

Join us this Saturday for what promises to be a fun day as the Bohemians first team host the Ireland Amputee Team in a charity game at Dalymount Park (11.30am).

The game will act as a fundraiser for the medical costs of former Bohs youth player Stefan Balog, who sadly had to have his right leg amputated earlier this year after an accident.

Aged 20, Santry man Stefan is also a former pupil of Virgin Mary National School and Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School.

As well as facing a major readjustment in his life, Stefan is also facing an extensive medical bill as a result of his surgery.

There is no entry fee to Saturday’s game but there will be bucket collections and we ask you to donate generously.

There will also be a bucket collection at Bohs’ SSE Airtricity League game against Bray Wanderers the previous night.

If you are unable to make either game, you can donate directly here: https://www.gofundme.com/stefan-medical-fund

CORK CITY v BOHEMIANS
Monday July 31st, 2017, Turner’s Cross, 7.45pm

Skipper Derek Pender (hamstring) and Patrick Kavanagh (rib) will not be risked tonight.

Both players were substituted in Friday’s Dublin derby win against Shamrock Rovers.

Greg Murray (hand) will miss out once more meaning 16-year-old goalkeeper Kian Clarke will take his place again on the substitutes’ bench.

Five Bohs players have been selected for this week’s three-day Ireland U19 training camp: Steven Nolan, Warren O’Hora, Brandon Kavanagh, Ryan Graydon and Jamie Hamilton.

Congratulations and best of luck to all.