Please note: FREE entry to ALL Bohs members/season ticket holders at Tolka Park tomorrow
There were smiles for Bohemians supporters at Tolka Park earlier this week as the men’s team secured a 3-0 win over Shelbourne. Alan Murphy’s women’s side will be hoping to make it another memorable trip when they contest Saturday’s All-Island Cup semi-final (1pm).
The two sides are no strangers to each other, having already met twice this season. On both occasions there was little between the teams. Shelbourne edged a league encounter 1-0 back in April thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Maeve Wollmer, while they also claimed a 2-1 victory during the group stages of this competition.
Despite those defeats, Bohs will travel to Tolka Park with plenty of confidence. Alan Murphy’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches and have shown significant improvement over the past month.
Their most recent outing saw them claim a valuable point away to Wexford. Bohs looked set to leave Ferrycarrig Park empty-handed but Lisa Murphy’s dramatic 91st-minute equaliser ensured the unbeaten run continued.
Boss Alan Murphy was pleased with both the result and much of the performance.
“Yeah, delighted to get the point at the end in the 91st minute. I thought the performance was quite good, particularly in the second half. We more or less camped in their half in that second half. They obviously had a couple of chances on the break and stuff like that, but really impressed and when we had to defend we defended. I would have liked to create a little more chances but saying that, we had a goal disallowed, we put a lot of crosses into the box, we had shots on goal. Happy with the performance, I would have liked the three points, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
The manner of the equaliser also underlined the spirit that has developed within the squad. Having endured a difficult spell earlier in the season, Bohs have shown repeatedly in recent weeks that they are capable of digging deep when required.
Murphy believes that resilience has been evident throughout the group.
“Yes, we know there’s a lot of character in the group and there’s a lot of resilience there. Obviously we’ve had a tough period in the season so to be able to bounce back from that, we know that they have strong characteristics and it just shows that with our centre half being in the box in the 91st minute. It was an energy sapping day and you could see the energy being given to try and get a result, it does embody the character in the group.”
Standing in Bohs’ way this weekend are a Shelbourne side who continue to be among the strongest teams in the country. The Reds are unbeaten in seven matches and have won five of those games. Their consistency over recent seasons has seen them firmly establish themselves among the league’s leading contenders.
Murphy expects another difficult encounter but believes his players have shown enough in previous meetings to know they can compete.
“Same as the previous two games, one of the best teams in the country and consistently over the last number of years so we know how tough it’s going to be. Saying that, we’ve had two really close games with them so far this season, they’ll be wary of the threats we pose as well, it’s a game we’re looking forward to and semi-finals don’t come around that often, so it’s important that we put our best foot forward.”
Those narrow margins have been a recurring theme whenever the sides have met. Bohs were within seconds of taking something from the league fixture before Wollmer’s late winner, while the group-stage meeting was another contest where chances at key moments proved decisive.
Murphy feels there is genuine belief within the squad that they can turn the tables if they are more clinical in front of goal.
“I think the girls as we always say are a match for anybody on their day. Although we were quite close with them over the two games we probably missed big chances over both games, so I think that’s something that we’ll be looking to rectify this week. I think if we create and we can take those chances this week, I think it’s going to be a completely different game and a different proposition, so looking forward to it.”
There is also recent history between the clubs in this competition. Last season’s semi-final produced one of the most dramatic games of the year. Shelbourne looked set for victory before two late red cards shifted momentum. Bohs were awarded a penalty in the 98th minute, and although former defender Roisin McGovern saw her spot-kick saved, she reacted quickest to score the rebound and force penalties. Bohs eventually progressed 6-5 in the shootout, with Lisa Murphy converting the winning kick.
While memories of that afternoon remain fond for Bohs supporters, Murphy is keen for his players to focus on the task immediately in front of them rather than the occasion itself.
“The girls are given freedom in terms of we want them to be able to go out and perform on the pitch, so the prep will be the same and we’ll do analysis on Shels and we’ll have our own game plan to implement. So the message will be just to go in and implement the game plan. There’s obviously going to be some nerves there, with some of the girls it will be the first time playing in a semi-final, so there’s bound to be nerves, but it’s games you have to relish. So we’ll be prepared well for it and as I said it’s just about creating the environment that they have a freedom to play and go out and express themselves on Saturday afternoon.”
As always in a Dublin derby, support could prove crucial. Bohs fans have travelled in strong numbers throughout the season, including recent trips to Wexford and Treaty United, and Murphy hopes another sizeable travelling support can help drive the team towards another final.
“There was a number down in Wexford on Saturday, there was a number in Treaty the previous week, we have people making road trips. We see them, we hear them, and we catch up with them on social media, documenting what they are doing. So it’s never taken for granted and hopefully we can get a good crowd on Saturday to get us across the line. Especially with it being a Dublin derby, it’s not a million miles away from Dalymount, so I hope the fans get behind the girls and that might be the difference to get us across the line.”
Team News
Bohemians have a full squad to choose from.
The Women’s All-Island Cup receives funding from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Ireland and the FAI would like to acknowledge and thank the support of the Government of Ireland in the organisation of this competition.