BOHEMIANS v DUNDALK
SSE Airtricity League, Dalymount Park, Tuesday 24 March, 7.45pm
Bohemian manager Keith Long says he “couldn’t be happier” with his team’s start to the league campaign, and he is “looking forward” to games against Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers over four days.
Long wants to “turn Dalymount Park into a fortress” and is calling on the fans as well as the players to help in that. Facing the league champions is “a big challenge but also a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against some of the best players in the league”.
“We hope our supporters will come out once again and get behind the team like they’ve done far this year,” Long said.
“The players will need no added incentive. We’ll go into the games with confidence and with a belief in our ability that maybe we can pull off a surprise.”
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In Bray last Saturday Bohemians created many more scoring opportunities than they converted, but secured the win with a second-half goal.
“You’d be more worried if you weren’t creating the chances. But we’ve got to learn to convert them when they come our way. Against some of the better teams the chances may not come as often,” said Long.
Keeping a fifth clean sheet in as many competitive games gave Bohemians the win with a single goal. “You build from the back, that’s the foundation of what we do, so we’re really pleased not to have conceded a goal as yet in the league,” said Long.
Saturday’s goal came from Adam Evans, who also scored away against Limerick in the first league game. The 20-year-old has shone as one of Bohemians’ stars so far, testing defences repeatedly with his runs down the left.
“I’m really happy for Adam. He is unproven in the League of Ireland. I knew him as a school-boy player with Belvedere, when he was highly thought of,” said Long.
“He has always had lightning pace. He’s a young man and he will mature and adapt to the pace and physicality of League of Ireland football.
“He is seeing the benefits of the pre-season with the team, and now he has the greater confidence that comes from scoring goals.”
Bohemians have all players available for the Dundalk game, apart from long-term injury Dan Byrne (cruciate) and Dave Mulcahy (calf), who will rejoin team training in the next week or two.
The part-time squad will be fully tested with three games in six days, but Long is focused on getting the best-possible side out in Tuesday’s game before he thinks about Friday’s trip to Tallaght.
The Bohemian manager remains optimistic about his squad’s possibilities. “We’re going to improve. We will evolve. The team will change from time to time. For this week, we will do our very best to get a result in the games.”
