2024 Season Preview: Bohemians

James Clarke is set to play a big role for Bohemians this season

James Clarke is set to play a big role for Bohemians this season Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)

Manager: Declan Devine.

Stadium: Dalymount Park.

Players in: Dayle Rooney (Drogheda United), Rob Cornwall (Northern Colorado Hailstorm), Sten Reinkort (Flora Tallinn), Martin Miller (Flora Tallinn), Michael Lilander (Flora Tallinn), Kacper Chorazka (ASIL Lysi), Brian McManus (Shelbourne).

Players out: Dean Williams (Shelbourne), Kris Twardek (Atletico Ottawa), John O'Sullivan (Shelbourne), Kacper Radkowski, Krystian Nowak, Ali Coote, Jonathan Afolabi (Kortrijk), Chris Lotefa (Finn Harps - loan).

extratime.com Key Player: James Clarke.

One of Declan Devine’s key men last season, James Clarke’s all-action displays were often at the heart of some big Bohemians displays.

The midfielder joined the Gypsies midway through the 2022 campaign under former boss Keith Long but was quickly able to establish himself as a key player under new management in 2023.

Once on the books of Bohs’ bitter Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers, Clarke made 39 appearances in all competitions last season and even scored seven goals.

The Meathman, 22, also notched seven assists - with of those coming in the league. 

Keith Buckley is set to be out for most of the season for Bohemians through injury so the tiger-like presence of Clarke will be pivotal in terms of sourcing a replacement.



And if he is able to grow in influence this season in Dublin 7, Clarke will be central to any possible European chase if it comes to pass. 

extratime.com One to Watch: Dayle Rooney. 

Similar to Clarke in terms of joining from Drogheda, Dayle Rooney will be looking to make his mark on Bohs this season.

The former Shelbourne winger thrived at Weavers Park under Kevin Doherty and was going to be a shrewd acquisition for whichever top-flight club signed him during the close-season.

And Bohs will be pleased that they were able to sign the Ballymun native early on in the window.

Rooney’s trickery and eye for a stunning goal could be the difference for the Gypsies this season - and he has already proven himself to be a Premier Division regular at Drogheda.



Now 25, Rooney claimed 10 assists and scored five times in 33 games last season for Drogheda - and if he has a similar impact this term at Dalymount Park, he will quickly become a fan favourite.

What to expect this year: 

There is a lot of scrutiny surrounding Bohemians heading into the 2024 campaign given the extent of their collapse last season.

After the first round of games, Devine’s troops looked destined to qualify for Europe - with talk of a title charge also brewing in the background.

But a dismal mid-season run saw their title hopes fade as quickly as they started, and their European hopes quickly diminished soon after. 

Granted, they still had a chance to make amends with European qualification through the FAI Cup, but they lost the final in front of a record Aviva Stadium crowd to miss out.

That failure has put Bohs in an uncomfortable position, with Shelbourne taking their place in the Europa Conference League adding insult to injury.

At the risk of sounding too obvious, Bohs season is likely to go one of two ways. 

If there is a slow start, tensions will build in Dublin 7 - as will the pressure on Devine. But if they impress early doors and start well, those concerns may fade as quickly as they emerged. 

Although, the reality is that Bohs will be desperately seeking qualification for Europe in 2025. The time for Devine and Co to deliver is now.

First game: Sligo Rovers at home, February 17th at 7.45pm.

 

About Andrew Dempsey

View Full Profile