UEFA Cup First qualifying round, second leg: Fresh from their runaway second-round FAI Cup rampage against Ringmahon Rangers, Bohemians were preparing yesterday for the somewhat more demanding challenge of Levadia Tallinn's visit to Dalymount Park for this evening's second leg of the UEFA Cup first qualifying round.
Stephen Kenny seemed almost surprised to announce he has a full panel to choose from for the game, the winners of which will go into Friday's draw for the second of three preliminary rounds after which the competition will, for the first time, enter a group stage.
"People know what we've been through at various stages of the season so far," said Kenny, "so it's great to finally have everybody fit and available again. It's the first time that it's happened this season and the timing is good because this is going to be a very tough match between two sides that both feel they can go through to the next round."
The Bohemians manager admitted to some disappointment that his side hadn't grabbed the away goal two weeks ago in Estonia.
"We had our chances out there, particularly in the second half, but the ball just wouldn't go in. It's frustrating because when it boils down to it nil-all away isn't really a great result in European football. A score draw pretty much puts you in control but with nil-all you can be one up, playing well and then go out because you concede a late goal against the run of play."
The improved options have, however, come as a bonus to Kenny, who was without Bobby Ryan and Colin Hawkins in Estonia. In Ryan's absence Fergal Harkin has generally played well and the former Finn Harps midfielder may well retain his place despite his rival having come through Thursday's cup game without problems.
Hawkins, meanwhile, wasn't risked against Rangers but is apparently ready to start now and, to judge by Kenny's repeated emphasis on the experience the former under-21 international brings to the team as well as his ability to rise to the big occasions, it seems likely he will come into central defence for either Ken Oman or Thomas Heary - the later could still start at right back or central midfield even if he is displaced by Hawkins.
The Dubliners suffered a few worrying moments in the away leg. Tallinn's Marius Dovydenas fluffed an excellent chance to put the Estonians in front with a close-range header. As the sun set, however, and the heat abated, the Irish came strongly into the game and repeatedly tested goalkeeper Artur Kotenko.
"The scoreboard in the ground showed that it went from about 26 degrees in the first half to 14 in the second," says Kevin Hunt. "You could certainly feel the difference and we played a lot better as a result. When that happened we were able to unsettle them with the pace of our game and the hope is that we'll be able to do that from the start this time."
Hunt, however, like several of his team-mates, concedes that the greatest concern for the home side is that Tallinn might grab an away goal and leave the Dubliners chasing the tie.
"It's much more important that you don't let one in a game like this than in an ordinary league game," says goalkeeper Shay Kelly. "We've simply got to keep things tight at the back because if the other side do get one it means your whole strategy has to change if you suddenly find yourself looking to score twice."
The point is a pertinent one for a team that has kept only three clean sheets at home all season, one of those coming in last week's cup win. Of late, though, the side's form has improved considerably, a run of seven wins and four draws in 13 games helping restore confidence.
