Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-final
Friday September 17 2021
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Exclusively live on LOITV
(Please note FAI Cup games are not included on LOITV season passes)
Keith Long believes his players are feeding off the renewed support they are getting from increased attendances at games and hopes that continues when Bohemians host Maynooth University Town at Dalymount Park tonight.
Long said: “What a difference it has been to have supporters back in greater numbers at games.
“The atmosphere was electric in the last round of the cup and that support was vital in helping us progress.
“Equally so the support away from home in Drogheda and in particular Donegal on Monday night in the lashings of rain was magnificent.”
That hard-fought 2-1 win against Shamrock Rovers in the previous round of the Cup has teed up tonight’s tie.
Facing non-league opposition, Long’s men are the overwhelming favourites but it is not in his make-up to take any team for granted.
Long said: “Our reward for beating Rovers in the last round is a home tie against Maynooth University Town who will come to Dalymount looking to cause an upset and will be well set up.
“I have no doubt that they will have done their homework and will be well organised. However we must focus on ourselves and try to put in the best performance we can.”
Bohs come into the game on the back of a mixed bag of results over the past week.
First they travelled to Drogheda last week where they fell apart in the first half, going in 3-0 down at the break. They were much improved in the second half, but still went home empty-handed with a 3-2 defeat.
Long said: “It was an awful first half display in which we conceded three goals from a combination of poor decision-making and neglecting the basics of the game.
“You cannot give goals away as cheaply as we did and despite totally dominating and creating chances in the second half, we didn’t have enough to get something from the game.
“We have been striving for a level of consistency and performance but the first half against Drogheda was nowhere near good enough for this team. We all have to take responsibility and must do better.”
They bounced back from that loss with an impressive win away to in-form Finn Harps. A result in Ballybofey is never easy, but particularly against a Harps side that won four and drew one of their last five games.
At 2-0, Bohs had chances to put the game beyond doubt but allowed Harps pull one back, which led to a nervy final ten minutes of the game, which tested Bohs’ resolve.
Long said: “I am glad we bounced back against Harps with a good performance and the players gave the perfect response. It was a deserved victory and despite conceding a goal ten minutes from time, we held on for the win.
“We probably should have won by more as we created several opportunities playing some really good football and it was the perfect response after falling flat against Drogheda.
“Unfortunately we lost Ali Coote early in the first half. Ali has been in superb form for us and has been pivotal to how we want to play so hopefully it’s not too serious.
“The introduction of Promise Omochere provided us with a different attacking dynamic scoring the first goal and causing problems throughout the game for Harps defence.
“It has been a difficult time for Promise but he has been training exceptionally well since his return from injury and has contributed well from the bench in recent games.
“It will do him the world of good scoring and it would be nice to see him produce the performances that he is capable of on a more consistent basis providing he can remain injury free.
“We must remember he is still young and whilst he has been at the club a long time now he is still learning the game and developing.
“A consistent run in the team and the avoidance of injuries will go a long way towards helping him fulfill his potential.”
TEAM NEWS
Georgie Kelly suspended following his red card in the previous round, so Promise Omochere could start up front against the university he attends. Stephen Mallon (hip) is out and Ali Coote (hamstring) is a doubt.
