It was just Bohemians second victory over Shamrock Rovers in 15 attempts at the Tallaght Stadium but Bohs’ manager Keith Long reckoned his side “were good value for the win.” “It was a good team performance,” continued Long, whose team arrived in Ta
It was just Bohemians second victory over Shamrock Rovers in 15 attempts at the Tallaght Stadium but Bohs’ manager Keith Long reckoned his side “were good value for the win.”
“It was a good team performance,” continued Long, whose team arrived in Tallaght on the back of three successive defeats. “We put pressure on them. We didn’t let them get into their stride. The front two (Bohs’ goalscorers Ismahil Akinade and Dinny Corcoran) were a handful all night for their defenders.”
Long felt his pre-match strategy was implemented to maximum effect. “The plan was to unsettle them – to play with a little intensity and be aggressive. That can be the difference in a derby.” And there is no bigger Dublin derby than Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians. The Hoops were hoping to climb into third place but David McAllister’s neat equalising header apart, they could not break down the Phibsboro’s side spirited resistance.
“It’s been a while,” reflected Long. Bohs hadn’t won in Tallaght since 2012. “It didn’t flatter us. We have a group of players that are really hungry and we fully deserved the victory.”
Long reserved particular praise for returning striker Akinade, who was a long-term injury absentee for much of the season. “It’s an unbelievable strike,” said the Bohs boss of his team’s opener, which was set-up by a sublime backheel by second half scorer Corcoran. “He has the potential to do that.” That potential delivered in spades with a fierce cross shot that left Chencinski helpless.
Bohemians move up into sixth place on the strength of this victory, within sight of freefalling Bray Wanderers. The challenges aren’t shrinking as champions elect Cork City are next up in a rearranged fixture on Monday. “The games come thick and fast,” said Long. “We will try to recover and prepare properly for a quick turnaround in Cork on Monday.”
