Long credits reserve players as Gypsies continue search for silverware

Bohemians manager Keith Long came out in high praise of those players who provided featured cameos on the silver stage on Monday night as his side progressed to the club’s first cup final in six years following a 1-0 victory over UCD in the semi-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup.

The competition has held little prestige over the last decade, often cast aside by manager’s team selections in favour of league, FAI Cup, EA Sports Cup, European and even, once upon a time, Setanta Sports Cup games.

But young and eager faces in red and black put Collie O’Neill’s side to the sword courtesy of an 88th minute winner from Ismahil Akinade. Bohemians had previously beaten Drogheda and holders Dundalk en route to Monday night’s semis at the UCD Bowl, with ensemble performances from Paul Rooney in the centre of defence as well as 23-year-old James Kavanagh in midfield and goalkeeper Lee Steacy providing a firm spine to a deserved clean sheet on the night.

“Overall I’m pleased. I’m pleased with the team performance,” said manager Long after the final whistle.

“We got a look at some players that would not have been playing as often. Paul Rooney, once he got into the game I thought he was very good. He’s a bright prospect and it shows why he is on a pre-contract with Millwall in July.

“James Kavanagh hadn’t had a huge amount of game time in the middle of the park so he played really well. Lee Steacy in goal kept a clean sheet and was capable of everything that was asked of him.”

His side have beaten temporarily away the frightening realities of their Premier Division campaign this year - losing eight of their opening 13 games - with early-season cup success, beating Galway United last week in the FAI Cup and now entering into the final of the Leinster Senior Cup.

The game was evenly shared in the opening 45 minutes before a string of chances put Bohemians looking the more likely to grab a winner come the game’s final stretch. Kurtis Byrne rekindled memories of his audacious hat-trick of volleys versus Dundalk seven weeks ago in the competition's quarter-finals, this time around smashing the UCD crossbar from distance.

This before striker Ismahil Akinade pounced on a Maxi Kougoun mistaken header to toe-poke the ball beyond Niall Corbet two minutes from time to send the Gypsies into this year’s final, where they will face Wexford Youths following their semi-final triumph over Collinstown.

“It wasn’t easy”, the Bohemians manager explained. “It was a tough game against UCD who are a really good side. But I thought our play deserved it in the second half. We created a lot of chances and were guilty of some bad misses at times. Akinade comes up late in the day and he scored a goal at a great time - we avoided the extra time period and we’re delighted to be into the final.”

Bohemians are the record holders of the Leinster Senior Cup with 31, while Wexford Youths have never won the competition. It will be the Gypsies first cup final since winning the Setanta Sports Cup in 2010.

“At the start of the year you look at the trophies you’re involved with and the Leinster Senior Cup is always at the bottom of the list but we’ve approached it and won three games”, added the Bohemians manager.

“We now have Wexford which is an all-Premier Division tie. We’re in the final so we might as well go and win it now or at least try to.”