‘Best fans in the world' – Dawson Devoy vows to use ‘Dalymount Park effect' in Bohemians' crunch clash versus Derry City

The Irish Sun

a day ago

DAWSON DEVOY believes that Dalymount Park is now Bohemians' not-so-secret weapon.
Alan Reynolds' men welcome Derry City to Dublin 7 on Friday night looking for a victory that would send the Gypsies into the top three in the table, at least, at the season's halfway point.
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Bohemians face Derry City on Friday night
Credit: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
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Bohemians will go into the Premier Division top three if they win
Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Victory would also make it seven wins in nine games — after losing six of their opening nine — and their fifth win in six home matches as Dalymount has become something of a fortress.
That had not always been the case.
The stat led Reynolds to acknowledge that some of his players found it difficult to perform at home where expectations are high.
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Patience wore thin during that time.
But Devoy believes that the flip side is there is no more daunting venue for opponents when Bohs are flying high.
The 23-year-old said: 'We're in Dalymount, we're going to take the game to Derry and use Dalymount . . . the fans get behind us from the start.
'It's not an easy place for away teams to come so we're going to use that.
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'When we were struggling at the start of the year, the fans are probably understandably frustrated and that's normal. Every club is probably like that. But when things are going well, they're the best fans in the country. It's important we use that to our advantage.'
When Bohs were labouring earlier this year, Devoy could understand the supporters' exasperation.
Colm Whelan shakes fourth official's hand during Bohemians clash against Shamrock Rovers
The Ashbourne native said: 'Where I am from, there are a few Bohs fans. When I do be walking my dog, there are a few fans. That's just part of it.
'The fans have every right to be annoyed when we're not getting results, that's what it is about.
'I think we were all hurting, we've got a few good results and we've got to keep pushing on.
'When we do get beaten, it probably affects the players, it affects your weekend and stuff like that. It's obviously a lot better when you win.
'When results are going your way, it's great, the atmosphere . . . things like that.
'But we're also not stupid, we're only a few results away from struggling again. We've got to continue the good form.'
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The past series of games has seen some big moments — boss Reynolds reckons their only losses to Waterford and Drogheda were undeserved.
And Devoy points to Easter Monday against Shamrock Rovers when, having trailed 2-0 at the break, the Gypsies rose from the dead as the midfielder scored the opener and
That was followed by a comeback win over St Pat's, with two late, late goals wrapping up all three points.
Devoy said: 'Something started to click, sometimes all it takes is one or two games. The game in Tallaght was massive for us, it gave us belief coming from two goals down.
'And that following Friday, beating Pat's when we're 1-0 down. So it gives you massive belief and since then we've been playing with a lot of confidence.
'We know what we're capable of as a group and we want to get the best out of everyone. We just want to keep going and pushing up the table.'
Devoy, who returned to Bohemians from MK Dons last July, is also keen to live up to Reynolds' claim that he is one of the best in the country.
He said: 'I think most players will tell you that they want to be spoken about. I believe I'm good enough to be like that.
'Once I just let my football do the talking on the pitch, I'll let other people speak like that. Of course I want to be good, but once we're winning, that's the most important thing.'