Keith Long all praise for "proven-goalscorer" Dinny Corcoran

Bohemians manager Keith Long came out in unreserved praise for striker Dinny Corcoran following his side’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Bray Wanderers on Friday night, reversing a two goal deficit to earn a first victory of the season.

 

Corcoran, who endured limited playing time under Liam Buckley at St. Patrick’s Athletic last season which resulted in a handful of appearances yielding just one goal, admitted he was glad to return to the Phibsborough club after stints in both 2012 and 2013.

 

He capped a man of the match performance against Harry Kenny’s side with two goals and an assist in the second period, turning what seemed destined to be a third successive defeat into a first win of the 2017 campaign.

 

Manager Keith Long admitted he was glad to have the 28-year-old back in red and black stripes, noting that despite his limited minutes at Richmond Park last season that he was still one of the league’s top forwards.

 

“Dinny Corcoran is a proven goalscorer at this level and is very clinical”, Long said after the victory.

 



“We're delighted to have him back at the club because he is a proven goalscorer at this level.

 

“Provided he keeps fit he is going to be invaluable to us throughout the course of the season. He doesn't panic in front of goal and he showed good composure finishing like he did tonight.”

 

Following a promising opening period Bohemians found themselves two goals behind in the space of two minutes when John Sullivan’s opener was added to by winger Dylan Connolly to make it 2-0 to the visitors after just 48 minutes.

 



Facing into a third successive defeat from their opening three games, manager Long knew how important points on the board were at the early stages of the season, in which three sides will face automatic relegation to the First Division.

 

Striker Corcoran began a revival, slipping past defender Conor Kenna and Tim Clancy to slot a cool finish beyond goalkeeper Peter Cherrie, later setting up Keith Ward’s equalizer before scoring a dramatic winner with just 10 minutes remaining.

 

“We're pleased to win and get our season up and running”, said the Bohemians manager.

 

“I think it's an important three points, but more importantly the players showed great character and resolve to come back from 2-0 down. We were the better side in the first half.

 

“In a crazy 90 seconds we go 2-0 down and we gifted a couple of goals. But I can't praise the players enough tonight, they've come back from 2-0 down to win the game 3-2 and scored some good goals along the way. They showed great resolve and great character.”

 

Now in eighth spot in the Premier Division following their first win of the season, he said his side do not plan to be involved in a relegation dogfight this season.

 

"There's three teams going down and that's been well documented. We've got to get on with the season now and we've got to do our best in every single game.

 

“We're three games into the season and we've three points from those three games. Our mindset is to not be anywhere near (relegation) if we possibly can.

 

“We're a work in progress, we've a lot of improvement to do because we need to improve. Hopefully we can build on tonight.”