Bohemians return to Dalymount Park this Saturday afternoon (3pm) for their first home game of the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season as they host Cork City looking to build on an encouraging opening day performance, writes Gary O’Connor.
The Gypsies began their campaign with a 2-2 draw away to Peamount United in a game where they twice took the lead but were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the points. It was a lively and competitive contest at Greenogue Park, with Bohs showing plenty of attacking intent throughout.
Sarah McKevitt was the standout performer on the day, netting both goals for Bohemians. She opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break to give her side a deserved lead, but Peamount responded early in the second half through Sorcha Melia in the 49th minute. McKevitt restored Bohs’ advantage shortly before the hour mark with her second of the game, only for Mary Phillips to equalise in the 72nd minute and ensure the spoils were shared.
While there were plenty of positives to take, manager Alan Murphy admitted there was also a sense of frustration at not coming away with all three points.
“Slightly disappointed having been up twice in the game but I suppose on the other side of it we probably didn’t play as well as we could have. We probably didn’t hit the potential that we have in the group, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag but obviously going to Peamount and getting a point away from home isn’t the worst start to the season, so we’ll take the positives and move on to Saturday.”
Despite that disappointment, Murphy was encouraged by key aspects of his side’s performance, particularly when they managed to raise the tempo and impose themselves on the game.
“When we raised the intensity levels we showed what we were capable of, so for the 20-25 minute period I thought we were really good and then the rest was probably a bit sloppy but the positive definitely was when we upped the intensity, we executed what we were doing in training and look like a good team.
“I thought the fitness levels were excellent too, it didn’t look like many of them were struggling by the end of the game which is obviously a positive being the first game of the season and the first real test, you can play as many pre-season games as you like but the first competitive game of the season is always the toughest.”
That opening fixture provided a solid platform for Bohemians to build on as they now prepare for their first outing at Dalymount Park this season. Cork City arrive in the capital having fallen to a 2-0 defeat at home to Shamrock Rovers in their opening match, but Murphy is expecting a difficult test from a side under new management.
“I think it will be a tough game obviously they have a new manager too in Barry Ryan, he’ll have his own style of play, I’ve watched their game back against Shamrock Rovers and they were solid, quite compact and they obviously have a threat up the other end of the pitch with Eva Mangan who is a really good player so we’ll have to be at our very best to get the three points.”
The return to Dalymount Park is one the players will relish, with Bohemians having built a strong connection with their supporters in recent seasons. Murphy emphasised just how important that backing can be, particularly in tight moments.
“Yeah look the girls love playing in Dalymount, we always have fantastic crowds, and having more and more people through the gates and supporting us is really important for us, we know it can be the difference between hanging on in the last five minutes or nicking a goal in the last five minutes, so massively important that we get crowds through the gate and obviously for the growth of the game in general, it’s massively important too.”
This season also carries added significance for Bohemians, as it will be the final campaign before the redevelopment of Dalymount Park. The historic ground has been the setting for many memorable moments in recent years, and Murphy believes that sense of occasion is not lost on the squad.
“Yeah, we have it (Dalymount Park) on all of our training gear so it’s front and centre every time you get yourself into the Bohs kit this year, it’s not lost on the girls. We spoke about it before the great experiences we’ve had in Dalymount, the Palestine game a couple of years ago, the semi final against Shelbourne in the All-Island Cup last year and the crowd that was at that game particularly.
“It’s obviously the last year and from a calendar point of view everyone is looking to Rovers with it being the last game of the season and hopefully we get a huge crowd at that one, but just the experience of playing here every second week it’s huge for the girls and it’s a real attractiveness to sign as well when you’re playing in a great ground like this.”
With an opening point secured and a first home fixture on the horizon, Bohemians will be aiming to take another step forward this weekend. A strong performance at Dalymount, backed by their supporters, could provide the perfect springboard as they look to build early momentum in the new campaign.
Team News
Eimear Lafferty (ankle) is Bohemians’ only absentee.
Players from Bohemians and Cork City will participate in the Lots of Socks Down Syndrome Ireland campaign tomorrow during the warm-up ahead of the game.
Pictured with first-team players Alannah McEvoy and Sarah Power is Bohemians Down Syndrome player Julie Dalton.
For more information on the Lots Of Socks campaign, visit downsyndrome.ie/lots-of-socks
Football Fun Zone
Check out our new Football Fun Zone, which will be located at the Block G end of the Jodi Stand for our Women’s Premier Division games this season, with games for children in attendance.
Food and beverages
Please note that the BimBohs Burgers chip fan will also be open for all Women’s Premier Division games this year, the Bohemians Youths-run tuck shop will serve tea and coffee, and the Members’ Bar will be open throughout.