DAWSON KEY FOR GYPSIES ADMITS LONG
Bohemians v Longford Tomorrow, 4pm
KEITH LONG is desperate to hold onto teenage sensation Dawson Devoy for at least another few months.
The 19-year-old was outstanding in Bohemians’ 3-0 demolition of Icelandic side Stjarnan at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.
His performance was in keeping with his wonderful progress in the first-team so far this season.
It’s the opportunity to continue playing senior football that Long (left) hopes will keep him at Dalymount beyond the current transfer window.
Asked if he feared losing the attacking midfielder over the coming weeks, he replied: “The honest answer is I hope not but 99.9 per cent of clubs in the world are selling clubs. I hope not and that we can plan with Dawson in the team. He knows that he’s wanted at the club and is at a good place for now in terms of his development.
“I don’t think Dawson is in a rush necessarily to go anywhere.
“Certainly, you don’t want to be going into an under-23 set-up across in the UK. He’s playing men’s football, playing European football, playing at a good level and he’s developing nicely.
“As I said, Dawson is a levelheaded young lad. You can never say never but we hope that Dawson will remain at the club at least until the end of the season.”
As for the cash side of things, Thursday’s win added €300,000 to Bohs’ Euro earnings, taking their total so far this summer to a handsome €550,000.
In order to make European income a regular feature on the Dalymount Park balance sheet, it’s crucial they don’t take their eye off the ball tomorrow.
“It’s great, a brilliant problem to have [balancing domestic and European football]. We’d take this problem all day long,” said Long.
“That’s what we want, we want more nights like Thursday, so we have to ensure that we do our business properly on Sunday.
“Our focus is purely on Longford and recovery to make sure the boys are ready if called upon on Sunday.”