Alan Reynolds says his Bohemians side are relishing the challenge of another tough away game as they look to get back to winning ways against Cork City at Turner’s Cross.
Bohs’ 2025 campaign got off to the perfect start a fortnight ago with victory against rivals Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.
But a stunning free-kick from Michael Duffy, a regular thorn in Bohs’ side over the years, saw Reynolds’ men leave Derry City empty-handed a week ago.
Reynolds will watch tomorrow’s game from the stands after both he and opposite number Tiernan Lynch were sent from their respective dugouts at the Brandywell last week, but is backing his side to put in a performance on Leeside.
He said: “We were disappointed with the result against Derry. Between the wind and the pitch, the game was obviously played in tough conditions but we know we didn’t create enough opportunities and we needed to be better in possession.
“It was a pretty even game. Derry started well but neither side really managed to get a hold of the game, and other than Michael Duffy’s moment of brilliance with the free-kick, there wasn’t a whole lot of chances for either team.
“It’s very early days, we are two games into a 36-game season. We were delighted with how we started two weeks ago, without getting carried away, and likewise we have to take last week’s result on the chin, learn from it, and respond.
“We knew coming into this season that we were starting our league season against two teams with eyes on winning the league title.
“We won one of them, we lost the other by a goal scored by a wonderful free-kick, so we are not going to be too hard on ourselves either.
“Over the course of the two games we have played, we have seen plenty to be encouraged by while also identifying where we need to improve, and the players are striving to do so.
“Our third game now is another really tough one, so we know we have to be better.”
That comes against newly-promoted Cork City at what is expected to be a packed Turner’s Cross.
Tim Clancy’s side started their campaign with a 2-2 draw at home to Galway United a fortnight ago but were left frustrated on Sunday after their away game against Shamrock Rovers was called off 45 minutes before it was due to kick off.
Reynolds added: “Cork City are riding high after promotion and we are in no doubt that it is going to be another tough game as Tim will be determined to make Turner’s Cross an intimidating place for teams to play as it always has been.
“A lot has been said about the renewed interest in the league, the buzz about the league getting bigger and bigger, and the crowds that are going to games now, so these are exactly the kind of venues and games that players should be relishing to play in.
“A packed-out Turner’s Cross with the crowd on your back is one of the best places in the league to play football, so our players are relishing the challenge.
“I know that our supporters are travelling down again in massive numbers. It won’t be easy, and we’ll need those fans right behind us, but we’ll be doing everything in our power to send them back up the road happy.”
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