Alan Reynolds has challenged his Bohemians players to pick up where they left off when they head north to take on Derry City at Celtic Park.
Bohs headed into the international break a fortnight ago after a 3-1 victory away to Sligo Rovers thanks to goals from Douglas James-Taylor, Colm Whelan and Conor Parsons. The result kept Bohs in second place and with four wins from their last five games.
Reynolds said: “It was the perfect response having suffered a real suckerpunch against Shamrock Rovers earlier that week. Losing the derby in the manner we did stung everyone but we had to take a step back and look at what we’d been doing right and what we needed to improve on and the reality is we have done a lot right over the past month or so.
“We had a quick turnaround between both games and I have to give credit to our players for doubling down on what we are trying to do. We were excellent in the Showgrounds. To a man, they worked really hard for each other and for themselves.
“I think our supporters recognised our performance in the derby and that the players were as frustrated as they were that we had nothing to show for it, but our players and supporters didn’t let the heads drop. We went down to Sligo determined to perform and determined to force the result our performance deserved and we did that.
“We were dominant for long spells and if I’d any criticism of the performance, it would be that we still need to be more clinical when we create as many chances as we did.
“But as I said, we are doing a lot right and we returned from the break with confidence about where we are at and with belief in ourselves about where we want to go.”
In the time since, club captain Dawson Devoy became the first Bohs player to make their senior Ireland debut since Glen Crowe on 20 November 2002.
5 June 2026; Republic of Ireland players, from left, Jaden Umeh, Dawson Devoy, and Chiedozie Ogbene, before the international friendly match between Canada and Republic of Ireland at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Canada. Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile
Reynolds said: “We’re over the moon for him. Dawson has said it better in his own words about how important a moment it was for him and his family, his mam and dad, and how proud he was to represent his country as a Bohemians player.
“But we are incredibly proud of him. We all know how good he has been for us, how he carries himself, and being capped for his country was deserved recognition for how hard he has worked to get to this point.”
It was a different international break for another Bohs key performer Dayle Rooney, who Reynolds revealed was substituted at half-time in Sligo as the news came through that his partner Jodie was about to go into labour with their third child, Arlie.
Reynolds said: “Dayle didn’t travel with the team – he drove down to the game himself just in case, and then Colly got the call that he’d have to drive back again! So we had to take Dayle off at half-time so he could get back to be with Jodie.
“We’re all delighted for them both and their young family, and the international break came at a good time for Dayle to spend it with his family.”
Tomorrow, Bohs head to the unfamiliar territory of Derry GAA HQ, the Candystripes’ temporary home while work continues at the adjacent Ryan McBride Brandywell to replace its artificial surface with grass.
Reynolds’ side have taken four points from their previous two meetings with Tiernan Lynch’s side this season – a 1-0 win in the Brandywell in February and a 1-1 draw in Dalymount on May Day.
Reynolds said: “They’ve been really, really close games against them so far. This is going to be another really tough game, and at a venue we’ve never played in before, but we’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“Derry are a good side with a lot of experienced players, so we need to redouble our efforts now, start with purpose and tempo, and play to our strengths.
“But our performances in the month leading up to the international break were very positive, so we are going up with confidence and looking to pick up where we left off.”
Team news
Jubril Okedina has left the club by mutual consent to return to England.
Markuss Strods (quad) remains a doubt but Senan Mullen (hamstring) is available once more.