FINN HARPS v BOHEMIANS
SSE Airtricity League
Saturday August 15 2020
Finn Park, Ballybofey, 2pm
Dan Casey says Bohemians’ strength in depth in this season is keeping everyone on their toes.
With the season halved, there will be fewer chances for players to stake their claim for a first-team place in the coming months.
But that has only served to make training even more competitive with every man chomping at the bit to make Keith Long’s starting XI.
Casey, who returned to Dalymount Park this year after a season-long stint with Cork City, said: “There is great strength and depth in the squad now. Any player in the squad is capable of coming into the team.
“The lads who aren’t in the team at the moment are raring to go and want to play so that’s pushing us all on in training.
“Keith and Trevor Croly keep pushing us. We’re doing well so far but we’re not yet where we want to be.”
Two wins from two since the restart of the league a fortnight ago sees the Gypsies up to second place.
First, an early Andre Wright strike was enough to claim victory on Leeside against Casey’s former club, before first-half goals from Danny Grant and Keith Buckley gave Bohs a 2-1 win over champions Dundalk.
The margin of both victories probably flattered the opposition, with the Gypsies playing some attractive stuff and creating plenty of opportunities.
Casey, 22, said: “It’s been great. Everyone is enjoying every minute of it but we’re not getting carried away.
“We’ve got a good style of play, which we are always working on and have good pace in the team with Danny Grant and Kris Twardek capable of hurting teams. I wouldn’t fancy playing against them!
“We’ve leaders in the team too, Keith Buckley is a captain very similar to Derek Pender who helps us through the bad patches.
“Dundalk have been one of the best teams in the league for several years now, so we were pleased with the result and how we played. We could have got a couple more.
“But that was last week and we can’t dwell on it. We’ve a huge game today that we are all fully focused on.”
With an unfamiliar early Saturday afternoon kick-off time, the Gypsies stayed overnight, travelling to Donegal yesterday evening.
Harps have had three defeats from three since the resumption of the league season and Cork City’s 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers yesterday saw Ollie Horgan’s side slip to the bottom of the table.
But Bohs have been burned in Ballybofey enough times over the years to take anything for granted, and Harps’ 1-0 win at home to St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday in the FAI Cup served as a reminder that they are capable of causing an upset.
Casey added: “Ballybofey is always one of the toughest places to go in the country. Harps really know how to make the most of home advantage. So we’re up here confident and with a game-plan, but we’re certainly not cocky. Harps are a capable side.”
TEAM NEWS
Bohemians will be without Cristian Magerusan (knee), Ross Tierney (ankle) and Paddy Kirk (ankle).
Danny Mandroiu (hip) is a doubt.
