Callaghan: A draw a fair result
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In the hunt for a Setanta Cup place, Bohemians travelled to Oriel Park at the weekend knowing a win was more than likely a must. After coming close to coming away with three points, the Gypsies conceded late and had to settle for a point. Speaking to Extratime.ie after the game, manager Aaron Callaghan conceded that a draw was a fair result.
"I thought it was a fair result. They were better in the first half. A mistake from ourselves to give them the first goal. That was out of character. In the second half we got back into it. Changed system slightly with two lads up front and went in front. Disappointed with how we conceded late on but a draw is fair I think."
Former Dundalk player, Callaghan, is pleased that his side are in mid-table but being in touching distance of a Setanta Cup place puts extra emphasis on the run-in for himself and his players and admitted it would be a tall order for his young Bohs to secure a place in the competition.
"Mid-table position would have been fantastic like where we are now. Before tonight we needed to win the game to maintain our Setanta Cup push. Results went against us tonight. We were getting feeds out onto the bench and knew we had to win the game so we pushed everyone forward to try and take it, we even threw Evan(McMillan) up front for the last five minutes to try and nick that win to keep us in contention. It's a tough ask now but we have six points to play for and you never know."
On the season as a whole, the ex-Longford Town manager believes that they have achieved their objective for the season and feels it is time that the club begin to tie down players for season 2013.
"We are trying to make sure we cement the young lads to contracts for next season. We set out to survive in the league and we've done that. We can begin to look forward to next season now. 10 players from the under-19's have played 12-15 games in the Premier Division this season which is a fantastic achievement. It's all about their development and to try and improve on the performances of this season.
"We've had some highs this year in terms of the Rovers results and some lows in terms of results - the Cup defeat is one - but overall, I am extremely pleased with things, especially with the transitional period in which the club has gone through."
