FAI Cup First Round
Sunday July 25 2021
Turner’s Cross, 3pm
Live on LOITV for €5
Keith Long is likely to shuffle his pack for this afternoon’s FAI Cup clash away to College Corinthians at Turner’s Cross following Thursday’s tiring and hard-fought win in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Changing personnel did not have the desired effect last week against Longford Town, but those given a chance today do not need to look far for inspiration as to how they might be rewarded should they seize their opportunity.
Last week, 16-year-old Jamie Mullins became Bohs’ youngest scorer in the League of Ireland – his wonderful effort a rare highlight in an otherwise frustrating afternoon for Bohs as they drew 1-1 at home to Longford.
On Thursday, Dawson Devoy was the architect for Ross Tierney to score the winner in a 1-0 win away to Dudelange in the Europa Conference League qualifier first leg.
All three came through at St Kevin’s, through the Bohs-SKB U17s, through the Bohemians U19s and into the first team.
Manager Keith Long said: “It was a great ball by Dawson. Ali Coote made a great run from outside to in, which caused confusion in their back line.
“The keeper came together with Ali and the ball spilled for Rossi to slot home – another important goal by Rossi for the club.
“Ross has created goals for us this year, he’s scored goals for us, he is a total nuisance for the opposition outside the box in terms of pressing and chasing down balls. He is a total bag of energy. He can get around the pitch really, really well.
“For his tender age, he has played a lot of games for the club over the past three years. He’s come through at St Kevin’s, through our Bohs-SKB U17s and then through our U19s to the first team.
“He has been in and around our first team now for quite a number of years but he has really stepped up this year and taken his game to another level.”
Mullins, Devoy and Tierney have all seized first-team opportunities when given them, and Long has proven time and time again that he is willing to give young players a platform, when the time is right, to show what they are capable of.
That will certainly be in the minds of any young player chosen to play against College Corinthians. Changes are inevitable, but Long will not show his hand until he names his team later today.
He said: “We don’t want there to be an upset. We have to go down and look after our performance and to make sure we recover well from Thursday.
“We have the same squad to choose from that went to Luxembourg, so Promise Omochere is our only absentee.
“You have the likes of Stephen Mallon who has been back on the bench in recent games and is eager to play.”
Bohs came home from Luxembourg on Thursday night with an extremely hard-fought 1-0 win to bring into this week’s return leg against Dudelange at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.
The Gypsies left everything on the pitch as they were put to the pin of their collar in the second half when Dudelange threw everything at them.
Speaking after the game, Long said: “Dudelange grew stronger into the game the longer it went on as you would expect.
“We defended really well, which was really important, and we saw the game out. It wasn’t a comfortable win. They threw bodies forward at us and really tested our organisation.
“We had to bring some bodies on ourselves. In those conditions, it was really hot and challenging, the boys dug out a great result.
“The pitch was poor too, the Aviva pitch will suit them better as it will us.
“It’s a cliche, but it is only half-time in the tie. They are a very good side, they’re big and strong, and they have good players.
“They’ll be better fitness-wise after that game and they will be better tactics-wise after seeing us at close hand.”
TEAM NEWS
Bohemians are likely to make changes, but Promise Omochere (quad) is the only confirmed absentee.
