BOHEMIANS v CORK CITY
Friday April 20, Dalymount Park, 8pm
MATCH SPONSOR: The Phibsborough House
MATCHBALL SPONSOR: AM Heating and Plumbing
Keith Long says Bohemians have to be at their best on and off the pitch to get a result when champions Cork City come to Dalymount Park tomorrow.
Bohs have pulled off surprise results against the Leesiders in the past – they ended their 22-match unbeaten run last season.
But Long is always at pains to point out that past results and performances count for nothing.
Long said: “We’re playing the double winners so everything has to be right – both performance and atmosphere.
“Cork are champions for a reason. If you’re not ready for them, they will punish you.”
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Long is keen to emphasise how the support his players receive from the stands can also play a huge part in helping them over the line when a game is in the balance.
He said: “Our crowd out in Tallaght last week was excellent. The scenes at the end between players and fans were beautiful.
“You close your eyes at the end when the winner went in and listen to the noise. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what you want from football.
“But you can’t dwell on that. The challenge for us all is to reproduce that intensity and create more nights like those.
“We need our fans behind us, particularly when it’s 0-0, if you’re a goal down or if the game is in the balance. That’s when we need our fans the most.
“That’s what we had out in Tallaght and that encouragement helped us get over the line at the very end.
“We need that again at Dalymount tomorrow night.”
The Gypsies come into this game on the back of yet another hectic schedule.
Last Friday, they claimed Dublin Derby bragging rights with a 99th-minute winner to beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1 in Tallaght.
The intensity of that battle took its toll on Long’s men who faced a daunting trip to face a bullish Derry City in the Brandywell three nights later.
The Candystripes have had Bohs’ number in recent seasons, winning the previous eight meetings between the sides.
And Kenny Shiels’ in-form side made it five wins from five at the refurbished Brandywell this season with a 3-1 win.
Long said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game from the outset.
“We felt we needed to make five changes from the side played in Tallaght as the intensity of that game is hard to recover from in three days.
“That’s why you have a squad – you have to change things around as it’s a hectic schedule this season – as it is for all teams – and players don’t always have the time to recover.
“And Derry have some excellent players. They’re on a good run of form and have used the return to the Brandywell to their advantage.
“We conceded a bad goal and then conceded straight after the red card for Paddy Kavanagh.
“We created chances ourselves too though – Dinny Corcoran had two good opportunities to score at 2-1 and Eoghan Stokes had one also.
“Then when you’re chasing the equaliser, especially with ten men, you’re vulnerable at the back and Derry get the third in injury time.
“That’s the third time that’s happened to us this season, conceding after 90 minutes when chasing an equaliser.”
TEAM NEWS
Skipper Derek Pender (calf) is still a doubt, while Paddy Kavanagh is suspended after being sent off against Derry City.
Oscar Brennan (ankle) remains out alongside long-term absentees Cristian Magerusan (metatarsal) and Ryan Swan (cruciate).
