BOHEMIANS v DROGHEDA UTD
Friday March 14, SSE Airtricity League, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Bohemians go into their first home match of the league season in a strongly positive frame of mind, according to manager Owen Heary. Three matches in three competitions have shown Bohemians’ ability to score goals (11 in all), their mean defence, and their strength in depth, writes BRIAN TRENCH.
Heary has played all but two of the squad and demonstrated convincingly that he has cover for all positions. But he retains a firm view of his best XI – injuries and suspensions permitting.
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“I suppose you might say we have a selection headache, but on the plus side we know that any player we choose is well capable of doing the same thing we’re doing, week-in and week-out,” he said.
Friday’s game brings together two teams with 100 per cent records in competitive football in 2014, and two managers who are at early stages in their careers. Heary and his Drogheda counterpart Robbie Horgan are classmates on the current FAI Pro Licence course.
“There’ll be bragging rights to play for,” commented Heary, who underlined his respect for what Horgan has achieved so far with victories over Dundalk in the Louth Cup and in the league.
“The two lads up front, Gary O’Neill and Fabio O’Brien, are a big threat,” said Heary, adding his admiration for O’Neill on his recovery from serious illness. “He’s a positive fellow and that stood to him.”
Heary is hoping Friday’s opponents might be “a bit leggy”, having played 120 minutes in the EA Sports Cup against Crumlin United on Monday. “But they’re a well-organised side and they have a big back four. We know it’s going to be a physical game,” he said.
The Bohemian manager insists that his team’s approach to Friday’s game will be similar to that adopted against Bray and UCD. “We don’t want the players going into this thinking at all negatively. We want them to be just as positive as against Bray and UCD,” he said.
“It’s our first home game and we want to give a good account of ourselves and get the crowd behind us. If the performance matches what we’ve done over the last couple of weeks, the people will keep coming and they’ll enjoy the matches.
“Drogheda winning last week is a good incentive to us to go at them, and take the game to them. We’ve shown we can limit our opponents’ scoring chances, and we are creating chances ourselves. We’re getting into the box, we’re getting crosses in, we’re getting goals and we aim to continue that.”
Jason Byrne came off the bench last Friday and scored within minutes for his second late goal in two games. He started Monday’s game and again scored, making it three goals in three games. According to his manager, he is “still getting his fitness levels up and getting his touch in, but he is a lot fitter than last year and the hunger’s still there”.
Defender Anto Murphy (hamstring) has returned to training but will not be ready for selection. Karl Moore (groin), Andy Mulligan (quad) and Lee Whelan (ankle) are out, while captain Dave Mulcahy (knee) faces a late fitness test.
