Season Preview: Bohemians
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Bohemians will be aiming for an incredible third consecutive league title in 2010 and with the current squad of players at manger Pat Fenlon’s disposal, there aren’t many who would bet against them doing so.
The early part of the Gypsies' off-season was largely dominated by the will-he-won't-he go story surrounding Fenlon and the vacant managerial position at SPL outfit Dundee United.
With a deal all but done, it looked as if Bohs would lose their man only for the deal to be scuppered at the last minute due to a row over compensation. Fenlon remained at the helm of the Dublin club - much to the delight of supporters and players alike.
Apart from the Fenlon saga, the Phibsborough club’s pre-season preparations look to have gone to plan. They spent a week in a training camp in southern Spain where they bagged a win against Malaga “B” and followed up with convincing wins on home soil against Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne. Then they secured a 3-1 victory over Coleraine in the Setanta Sports Cup.
Even though key players Brian Murphy, Gary Deegan and Joseph Ndo left the club it doesn’t look like it will have a huge impact on the squad thanks to the quality of players that Fenlon has brought in.
Former Derry City trio Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn and Ruaidhri Higgins will certainly add versatility and depth to the squad while strikers Raffaele Cretaro, Mark Quigley and promising youngster Aaron Greene will be hungry for goals.
Losing goalkeeper Brian Murphy to Ipswich Town was an expected loss but having brought in both Chris O'Connor and Barry Murphy it certainly seems to have softened the blow.
2010 will also be a big year for some of Bohs’ young stars. Left-back Conor Powell has already turned the head of Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni after an impressive season last year. While 19-year-old striker Paddy Madden will look to build on the goals he netted last season.
Team: Bohemians
Manager: Pat Fenlon
Players In: Barry Murphy (Shamrock Rovers), Chris O'Connor (Bray Wanderers), Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn, Ruaidhri Higgins (all Derry City), Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers), Mark Quigley (St Patrick's Athletic), Aaron Greene (Galway United)
Players Out: Brian Murphy (Ipswich Town), Matt Gregg (Dundalk), Brian McCarthy, Mark Nolan (both Athlone Town), Sean Byrne (Shelbourne), Gary Deegan (Coventry City), Glen Crowe (Sporting Fingal), Neale Fenn (Dundalk), Joseph Ndo (Released), Marc Hughes (Shelbourne - on loan), Ryan McEvoy (Longford – on loan)
One To Watch: Paddy Madden
Prediction: 1st
The early part of the Gypsies' off-season was largely dominated by the will-he-won't-he go story surrounding Fenlon and the vacant managerial position at SPL outfit Dundee United.
With a deal all but done, it looked as if Bohs would lose their man only for the deal to be scuppered at the last minute due to a row over compensation. Fenlon remained at the helm of the Dublin club - much to the delight of supporters and players alike.
Apart from the Fenlon saga, the Phibsborough club’s pre-season preparations look to have gone to plan. They spent a week in a training camp in southern Spain where they bagged a win against Malaga “B” and followed up with convincing wins on home soil against Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne. Then they secured a 3-1 victory over Coleraine in the Setanta Sports Cup.
Even though key players Brian Murphy, Gary Deegan and Joseph Ndo left the club it doesn’t look like it will have a huge impact on the squad thanks to the quality of players that Fenlon has brought in.
Former Derry City trio Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn and Ruaidhri Higgins will certainly add versatility and depth to the squad while strikers Raffaele Cretaro, Mark Quigley and promising youngster Aaron Greene will be hungry for goals.
Losing goalkeeper Brian Murphy to Ipswich Town was an expected loss but having brought in both Chris O'Connor and Barry Murphy it certainly seems to have softened the blow.
2010 will also be a big year for some of Bohs’ young stars. Left-back Conor Powell has already turned the head of Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni after an impressive season last year. While 19-year-old striker Paddy Madden will look to build on the goals he netted last season.
Team: Bohemians
Manager: Pat Fenlon
Players In: Barry Murphy (Shamrock Rovers), Chris O'Connor (Bray Wanderers), Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn, Ruaidhri Higgins (all Derry City), Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers), Mark Quigley (St Patrick's Athletic), Aaron Greene (Galway United)
Players Out: Brian Murphy (Ipswich Town), Matt Gregg (Dundalk), Brian McCarthy, Mark Nolan (both Athlone Town), Sean Byrne (Shelbourne), Gary Deegan (Coventry City), Glen Crowe (Sporting Fingal), Neale Fenn (Dundalk), Joseph Ndo (Released), Marc Hughes (Shelbourne - on loan), Ryan McEvoy (Longford – on loan)
One To Watch: Paddy Madden
Prediction: 1st
About Frankie Lally
Frankie Lally writes for a number of publications. You can contact Frankie on Twitter at @FrankieLally
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