Alan Reynolds says Bohemians need to hit the right tempo from the start tonight as they take on Killester-Donnycarney in the second round of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup at Dalymount.
Reynolds has been around the game long enough to know that anything can happen in a cup tie, so has challenged his players to bring the same levels of intensity that they have brought to their league campaign in recent months.
He said: “We don’t have to look back very far to see how difficult cup games can be if you don’t start strongly.
“It took us a penalty shootout to get past Kerry last season so the message to the players all week has been that we have to play at the right tempo and with the same levels of intensity as we have been.”
Bohs come into this game after an emphatic 3-0 over Galway United last Friday, their biggest home win in 20 months.
Reynolds said: “We’re in a good place and we’re going into the game after a great win last week.
“I thought we were outstanding in the second half. Three great goals, and it was brilliant for Douglas James-Taylor to get on the scoresheet on his home debut.
“James Clarke got his reward too with two brilliant goals, so we were delighted with how the players rolled up their sleeves for the second half and moved up the gears.
“The vast majority of our wins this season have been by the odd goal, so it was nice for both the players and the fans to see out a game more comfortably, as enjoyable as some of the late drama we’ve had this season has been!”
At the time of writing, there are over 3,300 tickets already sold for tonight’s game, and Reynolds said: “I think those numbers reinforce the backing we have had from our fans this season.
“There was a time when 3000 would have been seen as a good crowd for a Dublin derby in the league, so for us to get these kind of numbers for an early tie in the FAI Cup shows how much the supporters have got behind us over the past few months and believe in what we are trying to achieve.”
11 July 2025; Bohemians supporters celebrate after their side’s win in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Bohemians and Galway United at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Reynolds also believes Bohs have a point to prove in the FAI Cup this season, adding: “You look back at last season and we did the hard work in beating Shamrock Rovers in the early round, stumbled over the line against Kerry and then had a great win away to UCD to get to the semi-finals.
“We got a home draw against Derry City and it was a chance for us to salvage what was a very disappointing season, and we didn’t deliver. So that disappointment has to be in the back of players’ minds and remind them what is at stake.
“We’ve players here who have got to the final in 2021 under Keith and 2023 under Deccie and lost too, so there should be no lack of motivation among our players when it comes to this competition.
“We are in a good place, we’re playing good stuff and confidence is high. But there’s players in the squad who’ve felt pain in this competition before: We have to keep our standards up and start the game strongly.”
Team news
Both Archie Meekison (hamstring) and Alex Lacey (hamstring) are nearing a return but this game will come too soon for them, while James Clarke (ankle) is a doubt.
Des Kelly Stand tickets remain available from tickets.bohemians.ie