Alan Reynolds says the level of desire shown by his Bohemians side earlier this week needs to be repeated in every game if they are to deliver the consistency needed to kick on this season.
Reynolds believes Bohs supporters have seen his side at their worst and at their best in recent weeks, and has challenged his players to have the character to tackle that inconsistency head-on.
Bohs made the short trip to Tolka Park on Monday on the back of bruising losses away to Derry City and at home to Dundalk. They came into the game against Shelbourne having been criticised for taking the lead in both their previous games only to end up empty-handed.
On a scorching Monday evening in Dublin 3, they once again got off to the perfect start – Harry Vaughan opening the scoring in the first minute.
But on this occasion they didn’t let their performance levels drop. Colm Whelan added a second on the half-mark and, having weathered some heavy Shelbourne pressure in the second half, Ross Tierney added a third in the 88th minute.
They face another Dublin derby – this time against second-placed St Pat’s who sit one place and one point above third-placed Bohs, who have played two more games than Stephen Kenny’s side.
It will be the third meeting of the teams this term – the first ended in a 0-0 draw at the Aviva Stadium in the opening game of the season, while St Pat’s ran out 3-1 winners in Richmond Park in April.
Reynolds said: “Our last ‘home’ game against St Pat’s at the Aviva Stadium on the opening day of the season seems like a lifetime ago now. There have been plenty of twists and turns since and there will be plenty more between now and the end of the season.
“While there was nothing between the teams in that game, we saw how good and how clinical Pat’s can be when we played them in Richmond.
“That was a game where we took the lead in the first minute but were second best after that. That’s happened too often this season and is something we need to address. We have taken the lead in a lot of games this season but have surrendered points too often.
“On Monday, we had a similar perfect start against Shelbourne – a brilliant goal from Harry inside the first 30 seconds setting us up nicely.
“The difference on Monday was we kept our concentration and we showed a real hunger – we threw our bodies on the line when we had to and when we were out of possession, we didn’t give the opposition an inch even during spells of very heavy pressure, particularly in the second half.
“It was a big improvement from the against Derry Dundalk where, again, we started really well, took the lead but squandered our advantage and were left empty-handed.
“Those performances weren’t good enough but my hope now is that Monday’s win in Tolka Park, and more importantly the manner of our performance, is the start of how we mean to go on. It has to be.
22 June 2026; Adam McDonnell of Bohemians is tackled by Evan Caffrey of Shelbourne during the SSE Airtricity Mens Premier Division match between Shelbourne and Bohemians at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
“We weren’t perfect, but we were very good. Right across the team, we rolled our sleeves up, threw bodies on the line, fought hard for every ball and defended well as a unit.
“Supporters have seen the worst of us and the best of us over the past couple of weeks and we have a real job of work to ensure that they see the best of us more often.
“To get the levels of consistency we need to kick on and get to where we want to be, we have to show the same sense of purpose that we had on Monday in all games.
“Obviously that win was a monkey off our back, after a disappointing couple of results, frustrating performances, and having our character questioned. We need to draw a line under those now and look forward.
“It was a great performance and exactly the kind of response we needed. We enjoyed our goals, we enjoyed our win, we enjoyed getting one over one of our rivals and we enjoyed celebrating with our fans and sending them home happy.
“But we have spoken as a group about how it can’t be a flash in the pan. We need that level of performance and drive in every game.”
22 June 2026; Bohemians supporters celebrate after the SSE Airtricity Mens Premier Division match between Shelbourne and Bohemians at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
That will be especially true against a St Pat’s side who are six points off table-toppers Shamrock Rovers, who have also played two more games than the Inchicore side.
Reynolds added: “The scoreline on Monday probably didn’t reflect how hard we had to work for it. Against a team as good as St Pat’s, we need to have the same levels of desire and more.
“It’s a massive game for us and a challenge we are really looking forward to. It’s one of our final Dublin derby games in Dalymount before the redevelopment so I’m asking supporters to get behind the lads and get the place rocking.”
Team news
Douglas James-Taylor is a doubt.
Match sponsors: Doyle’s Corner
Doyle’s Corner, the home for live sports and music in Phibsborough, is proud to sponsor Bohemian FC, showing all Bohs matches this season and looking forward to continuing to support the club in future seasons.
- Match ball sponsors:
Parasol Suncream
The Rock Bakery