BOHEMIANS v BRAY WANDERERS
Leinster Senior Cup, Dalymount Park, Sunday 22 February, 3pm
Bohemians come to their first competitive game of the season aiming to “build momentum” towards the league campaign, according to manager Keith Long.
The confidence of the players and coaches has been lifted this week with the unexpected return of battling midfielder, Dave Mulcahy – “a great boost to everyone at the club”, said Long.
The season curtain-raiser against Bray Wanderers is a repeat of 2014’s start, when Bohemians beat Bray 5-1 in the Leinster Senior Cup.
In his first competitive game in charge of Bohemians, Long comes up against the club where he played for five years and began his coaching career. But he insists “it does not matter who we’re facing”.
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“I’m fully focused on the job here, and I know it’s a big job,” Long said, adding that he is fully aware of the Bohemian fans’ expectations.
“We want to generate excitement among the supporters, so that they’re proud of their team, and want to come and watch them.”
The manager expects to see continuing improvement in his team’s pre-season performances.
“It’s important that we build momentum in the pre-season. Performances will improve as we get to know each other, and to gel as a group.
“We’re coming to the business end of the pre-season and we’ll be sharpening our focus on the start of the league.
“It’s important that we put our best foot forward against Bray. We want to do well in the competition, but we have some players with niggles and we obviously don’t want to put them at risk, with the league in mind.”
Long says he and his backroom team are getting close to identifying their preferred starting line-up. “We’ve worked on different combinations. But there’s still room for players to force their way into the team.”
Bohemians have three players out – new signing Dean Kelly has taken a knock in training, Anto Murphy has a groin strain and Dan Byrne is still recovering from long-term injury, but “making good progress” and aiming to return soon to contact training.
