Soccer:Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon will be forced to blood a number of young players this season after losing the vast majority of his existing playing staff due to the crippling financial difficulties at the Dublin club.
The manager was at Dalymount Park this afternoon where he confirmed a number of new signings to bolster his defensive and strike options in particular.
“We are going to blood a fair few youngsters this year and it’s really important that we’ve got good talkers, good professionals,” said Fenlon, noting several of last year’s under-20/A teams are expected to step up to senior level. “I didn’t want to fill the team with old, experienced players. I think we have to get a nice blend of young, enthusiastic players with experienced players around them.”
In defence, Liam Burns returns to the Gypsies’ fold after two seasons with Dundalk, Aidan Price joins from Shamrock Rovers, while Ger O’Brien became available after Sporting Fingal went out of business last Thursday. In addition Daniel Joyce, a former Bohemians youth player who is with Championship side Reading, joins on loan.
The attacking options are boosted with the signings of Anto Flood, Chris Fagan, Robert Bayley and Gary Burke.
Flood played under Fenlon when he was manager of Shelbourne, while Bayley joins from Shamrock Rovers after a previous stint with Leeds United. Fagan has been with Lincoln City since 2009, while Burke was a regular in the under-20 set up but has been given a senior contract.
The likes of Chris O’Connor (goalkeeper), Owen Heary (defender), Glenn Cronin (midfield) and Mark Rossiter (defender) all remain with the squad.
Fenlon, who is still on the look out and will hope to sign several more players, also praised the club’s supporters and those behind the scenes, who helped ensure a squad could be put together for the new season.
"It gives you a good lift to see people coming in to hand over money they can hardly afford," added the manager.
Meanwhile Bohemians’ Setanta Sports Cup First round first leg with Portadown has been moved to Tuesday, March 1st due to a fixture clash for the Irish League side.
Portadown are involved in a JJB Sports Cup replay with H & W Welders which means next Monday’s fixture has been rearranged for the start of March with kick-off at Dalymount Park at 7.45pm.
Revised Date:
Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Bohemians v Portadown, Dalymount Park (7.45pm)
