BOHEMIANS OCTOBER 2002

BOHEMIANS MINI FEATURE


Bohemians, founded in 1962, haven't enjoyed a good winter. Before the bad weather came in, the northside team were one of the top contenders for honours in Murphy's Stout AUL 2B. Now a run of poor mid-season results has seen them sink into the bottom half of the table, a long way behind joint leaders Corkbeg and Carrigtwohill.



Indeed, the team's form is quite puzzling. They have drawn with both Carrigtwohill and The Beg but have regularly frustrated manager Peter Gahan by under-performing against lower ranked outfits.



Take the two most recent results as an example. Gahan though most have been encouraged by the most recent league outing when they outgunned Mallow Celtic 4-2 on Sunday week but then frustrated by the manner in which they threw away a two goal lead against third division Ballyphehane Celtic in last Sunday's City Challenge Cup game.



No frustration though for Bohs in the heady days of 1969 when they brought off a second division league and shield double. In that same season, they enjoyed a thrilling run to the quarter-finals of the Munster Junior Cup.



In 1964, they were runners up in the AUL 3 Shield and three years later lost the Saxone final to Castleview. Second place was also their lot in 1973 (when Castleview beat them off in AUL 1); four years later, they finished second to Crofton Celtic in the same division and, in 1991, were runners up to Southend in 3A. That run of frustration ended in 1995 when they were successful in 3B.



The club has had some great servants over the years. One of them was George Duke who from 1966 to 1998 worked as committee member and treasurer of the club. And they'll also always remember the trojan contribution of Paddy O'Regan, a former secretary and manager of the club up to his premature death in December 1999.



Bohs signed some twenty five players for the current campaign, a significant increase in numbers and an increase designed to strengthen the hand of manager Peter Gahan and his assistants Derek Daniels and Martin O'Connell. That hand has been boosted by the recent return to the Bohs colours of Eddie Chambers.



Bohs have been unlucky in 2B in recent seasons and it is not going their way again this term. Before the start of the season, they lost hot shot Alan Daniels (who moved up to Villa Utd in Premier A). They have looking to the likes of John Cronin and Anthony Goulding have been given the job of getting the goals and have been doing quite well - Cronin got two in that win over Mallow. Gary O'Mahony is doing well in midfield while Lennie Hosford keeps a good goal.



The current committee consists of John Byrne (chairman), Leonard Hosford (vice chairman), Tony Chambers (secretary), Martin O'Connell (assistant secretary), Jim O'Brien (treasurer), Steven Sheehan (assistant treasurer), Darren Hennessy and Derek Daniels. They are grateful to Hally's Bar in Blackpool for their support.



One of their best performances this season came in the FAI Junior Cup against Premier A hot shots St John Bosco's but, despite a defiant show against the higher ranked outfit, Bohs lost 4-2. Bohs, down to ten men from early in the second half, made the Saints fight all the way for their victory.



The league is no longer a realistic target for Bohs and their last chance of cup glory vanished last Sunday when they lost on spotters to lower ranked Ballyphehane Celtic in the City Challenge Cup.



Bohs will quickly need to find their early season form if they are to avoid being drawn into the relegation battle in 2B. Their next league outing is an attractive derby game against Northvilla; kick off at O'Leary's Field next Sunday is 10.45am.



Bohemians have just moved into O'Leary's Field, thanks to the Corporation, but unfortunately, most of their recent home games have been knocked out by the weather. O'Leary's field is also the venue for training, with sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


CONTACT Tony CHAMBERS @ 4308386 UPDATED FEB 2003