Corcoran happily settled back at Bohs

Bohemians have made a decent start to the season and with seven games gone they sit exactly mid table in sixth place. In particular a 3-0 win in the Belfield Bowl and a 1-1 draw away to Dundalk showed that the Gypsies are showing signs of improved quality this season as they look to avoid a relegation battle like last season.

Since taking over at Dalymount Park, Owen Heary has put his own stamp on the team by bringing in some of his own players including the much approved re-signing of front man, Dinny Corcoran. This week Extratime.ie caught up with Corcoran to get his thoughts on the season so far for Bohemians.

“We're reasonably happy. We got a few good results and a few good performances but saying that a few of the draws we have gotten - we could have won those games. I think we could be a bit higher but we're generally happy enough.”

In their last outing however Bohemians suffered a disappointing defeat night against Limerick when they lost 1-0 in Dalymount Park last Friday to leave them win-less at home this season. While the search continues for three points at home the 25 year-old striker insists that the players are not feeling the pressure yet, but concedes things must improve.

“I thought that was probably our worst performance of the season. No disrespect to Limerick but I think it was a poor game in general. There weren't many shots on target. We were devastated with the loss. It was a game we thought we could have won. We definitely see it as three points lost. We just have to look ahead to the next game now.”

“I don't think we feel pressure. The home form hasn't been great and it does have to improve but like I said if we keep performing in the way we have been we will get the results. I don't know whether the fans are putting pressure on us to get the home results but it does have to improve.

“We have been playing well away from home but the home form is crucial and I'm sure we will start picking up points in the next few weeks now at home.

“I think it is just coincidence that our away form has been a lot better than our home form so far. Obviously there are games that you have to set out to defend and stay tight. For example, Dundalk away we knew they were going to have most of the possession and we just had to soak it up and try get them on the counter but there's always going to be games like that against the stronger teams.

“At home we look to win every game we attack more often. Away games, like I said Dundalk, we knew that we were going to be up against it and obviously there are other teams as well that we are going to be up against it. We can't play as attacking, we kind of have to play a lot more defensive and try maybe get them on the counter attack."

The Dublin born striker originally moved from Drogheda United to Bohemians under Aaron Callaghan in 2012, only to join UCD for a brief spell last year before re-joining the Heary-led Gypsies in the off season just gone. Having played under both Heary and Callaghan, Corcoran has great respect for the two managers whom he believes are both good professionals.

“Yeah their training methods and match preparation are similar enough. They are both very professional about it and they give us the freedom to go out and try and enjoy ourselves. We're not under pressure. Owen is very professional, even in training he expects one hundred per cent every day, every session. It's been very good working under him so far. His knowledge of the league, he knows it inside out. That's obviously a benefit to him as well. He's been brilliant so far and I really enjoy working under him.”

The Gypsies finished in tenth place last season and will certainly be looking to improve on that this season. However, Corcoran says the squad have not been given any specific targets for the season.

“No we just take it match by match but I don't think we are looking to win the league. That is a bit out of our reach. We are definitely looking to do well in the cups because on our day we can give anyone a game and you never know with the cup. It's just the luck of the draw so we will be looking to win some silverware and finish as high up in the table as possible, maybe a European spot.”

Corcoran himself has started the season in good goal-scoring form with four league goals already to his name. When asked whether he had set himself any personal goal targets, the former UCD striker was slow to put a number on it.

“No I never really do set targets; I just try and score anytime I play. I've started off well. I'm happy enough, I've scored four in five starts so it's going well but Jason Byrne is also there keeping me on my toes so I have to score or else I'll find myself on the bench because everyone knows what he can do.

“I haven't played alongside him much on the pitch but you can see in training his quality and I can learn a lot from him and his goal-scoring record speaks for itself. He still has the desire to score goals in training. It's been great. I'm learning from him already and there is still a lot of the season to go with him so I'm looking forward to it. I'm happy and hopeful I can continue to play well and score goals.”

Next up for the Gypsies are St Pats in Richmond Park on Friday night where they will look to continue their impressive unbeaten away form.

“I am looking forward to the game. Pats are a great team, a great side as everyone knows with quality players, but I think on our day we can give anyone a good match.

“There are a lot of games coming up so it's going to be very hectic. We've got Pats, Sligo, Cork, Rovers and Derry in our next five so it's going to be very tough but we are just going to have to perform to our best and hopefully pick up a few points.”

Related Material

Match Report - Bohemians 0 - 1 Limerick FC 

Dinny Corcoran Player Profile