Bohs boss Declan Devine on James McManus: 'He has an amazing future ahead of him - hopefully it will be here'

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Andrew Dempsey reports from Dalymount Park

Bohemians boss Declan Devine hailed teenage midfield sensation James McManus as ‘class’ after he netted his first senior professional goal for the club.

McManus, 18, struck from distance when he arrowed a delightful strike on goal into the top corner during Bohs 5-0 win over Cork City on Monday.

That goal put the gloss on a five-star win for the Gypsies who stayed top of the Premier Division table.

And speaking after the game, Devine gushed over the midfielder’s quality as continues to thrive this season at Dalymount Park.

“He’s class, he’s just class,” he explained. “Everybody in the changing room just loves him.

“He has got an amazing future ahead of him. Hopefully it will be here at this club because he’s going to have a huge impact for us this year.

“He’s very unfortunate not to have more games this season but we have real competition in midfield.

“It’s good to have that freshness and rotation where no matter who we put in there will come to the party.”

In Bohs’ win, a first-half goal from Jordan Flores set them on their way – but it was only in the second half when they began to motor on against ten-man Cork City.



Adam McDonnell made it 2-0 with a strike just before the hour mark, and a quick-fire brace from the returning Ali Coote made it 4-0 heading into the final ten minutes of the game.

Coote however did not train before the game as he nursed the effects of a recent illness with ease in front of a near-capacity Dalymount Park crowd.

“Ali didn’t train in the last two days (before the game),” Devine revealed.

“He has been sick and did a bit of work with the physio. To be off his sick bed, come in and get minutes and score the two goals…

“It's a fourth game in succession where our subs have come off the bench and scored. Long may that continue.

“That to me shows a togetherness that nobody is coming on the pitch sorry for themselves. They are ready to hit the ground running.”



But for now, Bohs attention will turn to Friday’s crunch derby showdown with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

Granted, Devine claimed he had not thought about the game as recently as Monday in the wake of his side’s resounding victory against Cork City.

But he did admit that the Gypsies must not get caught up in the emotion of the contest in Dublin 24.

“I really haven't thought about it and the players haven't,” he said.

“It’s important we recover properly and don’t get too ahead of ourselves. It’s a huge game, but it's just another three points, that’s all it is.

“It’s important we don’t get caught up in the emotion of the game and that we go and give a good account of ourselves.”

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