BOHEMIANS v BRAY WANDERERS (Friday October 18th, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm)
Bohemians host Bray Wanderers on Friday, knowing a point will make them safe in the Premier Division.
But Bray, who have been in similar situations before, have shown they can still make things uncomfortable for Bohemians.
“We have been hammering it home to the lads: it’s not done and dusted,” said Bohemian manager Bobby Browne. “We have lots of points on board from playing well but we still need another point.
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“It’s going to be a battle, a dog-fight. There might not be much football in it but we have to roll up our sleeves and dig out a result.”
When he joined the club a month ago Browne saw the intensive, high-tempo training, the strong morale and the professional approach, and recalls telling assistant Owen Heary: “This is not a relegation team”.
Browne’s experience since then has confirmed his view of the team’s potential not just to survive in the Premier Division but to progress further next year.
He has also been working with the under-19s and they are recovering from a rough patch. There are some players in that group, Browne believes, who could step up to the senior squad next year.
“We have been concentrating on survival in the league. It was our clear priority to make sure Bohs were in the Premier Division next year. As soon as that is secure, we need to sit down with the players and plan ahead.”
Bohemians may go into Friday’s game without ex-Bray player, Dave Mulcahy. The 35-year-old has been a rock at the centre of midfield and an example to the younger players through his work-rate. He took a knock to the ankle in last weekend’s match against Dundalk and is unlikely to be fit for selection.
This may mean Darragh Reynor plays in the centre as Shane Murray, who injured his knee against Limerick, has returned to training but may not make the match-day squad.
Defender Anto Murphy (ulcer) remains out but his replacement, Neil Yadolahi, topped up his effective performance of defensive duties with a stoppage-time equaliser against Dundalk.
“Neil has plenty of confidence and scoring the goal is great for him too. He has also been doing the basic things well and he hasn’t looked out of place,” said Browne.
The late equaliser was just reward, he added. “Our first-half performance was maybe the worst since I came in. We were sitting off them. But the pleasing thing was that we stayed in the game even though we weren’t playing well. We got ourselves together and dug out a result.
“It showed good character and good fighting spirit. Psychologically, it was a massive point for us.”
If Bohemians’ survival is assured late in Friday’s game, Owen Heary may appear in one last competitive game at Dalymount Park as a Bohemian player. Browne believes he deserves much credit for Bohs’ recovery.
“I came into a set-up that was very much Owen’s team and I told him I was not going to change it up, especially as it wasn’t broken,” said Browne. “Hopefully we can finish it off on Friday and Owen will be rewarded.”
Bohs’ recovery began three months ago at the Carlisle Grounds when Bohs ended a losing run with a 3-1 defeat of Friday’s opponents in Heary’s first match as caretaker manager.
Heary and many current and former associates will return next month to Dalymount to celebrate his illustrious 20-year playing career in an Owen Heary Tribute Match (Sunday 17 November, 3pm).
