BOHEMIANS v SHAMROCK ROVERS
EA Sports Cup semi-final, Dalymount Park, Monday 4th August, 7.30pm
Bohemian manager Owen Heary believes ‘there is no better way’ to bounce back from Friday’s defeat in Derry than by beating rivals Shamrock Rovers to reach a cup final, writes LUKE O’RIORDAN
Bohs’ impressive six-game unbeaten run ground to a halt in the Brandywell as the clinical Candystripes ran out 4-0 winners. It was the heaviest loss of Heary’s reign to date and he has challenged his side to make amends when Bohs welcome Rovers to Dalymount on Monday.
“We had two good chances in the opening few minutes to take the lead ourselves and if one of those had gone in, it could have been a different game,” he said.
“We lacked the work ethic that we’ve shown over the last while and the players know that themselves. But it was also a case of the intensity and effort that they’ve put into the last few games catching up on the lads too.
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“It’s frustrating, as a result up there would have put us right in the mix to climb into the top half and also put us in contention for a Setanta Cup place.
“But there’s no better way to bounce back than by reaching a cup final and beating Rovers in the process. That should drive the players on.”
The build-up to Monday’s game has been dominated by managerial change and speculation at Shamrock Rovers, with Trevor Croly parting ways with the club after less than two years at the helm.
Croly’s former assistant John Gill is set to take the reins on Monday and Heary has warned his players to be ready for a backlash after Rovers’ shock 4-1 defeat in Limerick on Friday.
He said: “Rovers have so many players, it’s impossible to predict who’ll start, especially with the change in manager and after Friday’s result.
“For all we know, their next manager could be sitting in the crowd, so their players will be really looking to impress whoever that may be.”
As well as two league titles, Heary also completed a clean sweep of domestic cup competitions as Bohs captain, winning the FAI Cup (2008), EA Sports Cup (2009) and Setanta Sports Cup (2010).
And now he is determined to win his first trophy as a manager. He said: “Hopefully we can give the fans something to cheer about.
“Everyone at Bohs – the players, the staff, the board, the fans – would love to have the club back where it belongs contesting finals and winning trophies. That has to be our aim.
“It’s been a tough few years and a trophy would mean so much to everyone.”
Despite a few players feeling ‘leggy’ and ‘sore’ after Friday’s game, Heary once again has a full squad to choose from. “We will freshen things up a bit but there are no major injury concerns,” he added.
