Keith Long on Cork City defeat: 'If you landed from the moon, you wouldn't know who the full-time team was'

Keith Long thought Bohemians were unfortunate not to become the first side to take points of this season's runaway league leaders Cork City at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

 

The Gypsies boss reflected on a positive performance from his young team that, with a bit more luck and more firepower up front, could have seen City's 100% record crash to a halt.

 

Bohemians, who were under a little bit of pressure after successive defeats had pulled them back down the table, rarely looked cowed by their fully professional opponents.

 

The teams were set to go in at half time all square when, moments after Bohs had a good penalty shout turned down, City striker Karl Sheppard scored a wondergoal from an inadequately-cleared corner.

 

If that suckerpunch knocked the Gypsies' confidence, it didn't show in their second-half performance as they looked the more threatening side until Garry Buckley finished the job on the counter-attack in the dying moments.

 



“We were a match for Cork tonight. We switched off. Well, not switched off, we didn't defend the set-play in the first half and Sheppard puts it into the top corner.

 

“We don't clear the ball. The first phase, the second phase, we didn't do our jobs. And then we go again the second half and we're on the front foot.

 

“We've gone in 1-0 at half time having played quite well in my opinion, and we've come out second half strongly and played a lot of the game in their half and unfortunately we get done at the end.

 



“It would have been nice to have a grandstand finish if we possibly could, by pushing and keeping searching for the equaliser, but it wasn't to be.”

 

Long was greatly impressed with the performance of his midfield trio – the oldest of whom recently turned 21 – vindicated his decision to place his faith in youth.

 

Sule, in particular, stood out in both defence and attack, while Brennan and Poynton combined for the counter-attacking chance that could have earned Bohemians the point they warranted.

 

“They were great. Fuad Sule, Oscar Brennan, Georgie Poynton – all young lads, all kids, playing in there against a full-time professional team.

 

“If you landed from the moon and you came in, you wouldn't necessarily know who the full-time team was.”

 

And Long's investment in youth will be tested further this evening with the trip to Tallaght Stadium to take on Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup second round.

 

With key names including Dinny Corcoran, Ismael Akinade and Jamie Doyle still sidelined with injury, and a league game with Dundalk on Friday, Long will be forced to make changes.

 

And with winger Jamie Hamilton also impressing from the bench against Cork, the squad's fringe players will be aware that, like Sule, they're only a strong cup showing away from a first-team spot.

 

“We've got to make changes. Yes, of course, it's against Rovers and we're in Tallaght, and it's a derby, but I'm sure they'll make changes and we'll have a look at it and see what we do come Monday.”