SSE Airtricity League
Friday February 25 2022
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Live on LOITV.ie
Keith Long wants Bohemians to start as they mean to go on by making a good first impression and getting a sold-out Jodi Stand behind them from the off this evening.
Long said: “All clubs look forward to the beginning of the season every year with high hopes, great anticipation and expectations.
“We are no different as we seek to kick off our campaign with a positive performance and result at home in front of our fans.
“Dalymount is a special place to play football and it is important to try and make a good first impression, get the crowd behind us and play to our capacity.
“We know the importance of getting a good start and we hope to do that tonight with a positive display.
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“The boys have worked extremely hard throughout pre-season and are looking forward to playing competitive games. Not playing last weekend has added to boys’ eagerness to play and we cannot wait to get our season underway.
“We hope to give supporters every reason to get behind the team, we want to get them excited about coming to watch this team play, and we will be doing everything we can to produce a team that upporters can be proud of.
“That support has always meant so much to us and, at the outset of this campaign, with many new faces at the club, it is important that we get behind the boys and show them what a special club this is to play for.”
Tonight’s game sees Bohs renew acquaintances with Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell, who got the better of Bohs when in charge of St Pat’s in the FAI Cup final in November.
Long said: “Dundalk have undergone significant change in the off-season, recruiting plenty of quality and experience to add to their squad.
“With Stephen back at Dundalk, this time as manager, his team will provide us with different challenges but we know we will have to perform to a really high level to overcome those.”
Finally, in a difficult week when Long’s mother sadly passed away, he expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from supporters of the club and the wider football community since.
He added: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank the players, ex-players, staff, supporters, the board and the Irish football community in general for their support in what has been a difficult time for me and my family after the passing of my mam last week. Sincere thank-you to all, it meant so much to us, and provided us with great comfort.”
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Bohemians have a full squad to choose from.
