Last weekend was a busy one for sports desks around the country with an All- Ireland football semi final, the All-Ireland hurling final, Ireland versus England in the eggball and one that might have gone under the radar in some quarters, the third and (until the draw for the Leinster Senior Cup was made) last Bohemian FC versus Shamrock Rovers derby of the season. The weekend also marked the 125th Anniversary of the foundation of Bohs and fan group ‘The Notorious Boo Boys’ started proceedings off on the Friday night in style.
Refugees Welcome/ Our Bohemian City. Credit: Paul Reynolds
Around thirty members of the group made their way to the Ha’penny Bridge at 1:25 AM on Saturday morning to mark the occasion, unveiling a banner first saying “Refugees Welcome” and a second saying “Our Bohemian City,” no doubt a nod to the game the following day. The banner drop didn’t go unnoticed on the night, with one Twitter user posting “Just witnessed a bunch of football hooligans stage a protest for refugees on the Ha’Penny Bridge. Bizaare but lovely.” I’m not sure the NBB would describe themselves as ‘football hooligans’ but the sentiment was there! The above image was also shared hundreds of times across social media platforms, with Panti Bliss herself getting in on the act.
125 Not Out. Credit: Extratime.ie
The game the next day was always going to have something relating to the historic weekend, and the NBB started each half with a display. As the players came out for the first half, a crowd cover showing the ever aggravating Hooperman having his head knocked off by Dennis the Menace with a cricket bat was unveiled with a message saying “125 not out.” The second half saw a return of the “Our Bohemian City” message banner, with some accompanying “atmosphere enhancers…”
Our Bohemian City. Credit: Extratime.ie
Credit: Paul Reynolds
Credit: Paul Reynolds
Credit: Paul Reynolds
Venezuelan Bohs (!!) Credit ©INPHO/Colm O’Neill
The game itself could have gone either way, with the crowd suffering a bit due to the kick off time (15:00 on a Saturday afternoon) and the clash of so many other sporting events, as well as the Electric Picnic being on. Despite that, both sides played host to visiting from as far away as Venezuela; the Copa90 video covering the last derby inspired a group of Toulouse fans to come to the game with their own Bohs banner! A goal apiece was probably a fair result, with one of the moments of the day coming after the game from Bohs midfielder Keith Buckley who, when picking up his bike from where he had locked it, encountered a Luas rammed full of Bohs fans who serenaded him with his own chant. He responded by posting the selfie below on Twitter, with the caption “Gettin’ me bike at the luas and see these nuts singing my name ! selfie of the year that’s why I love this club.”
Keith Keith Buckley, he will tackle you… Credit: Keith Buckley.
The weekend finished off on the Sunday with a Family Day in Dalymount Park, with a Bohemians Legends team taking on an Irish Legends team. Plenty of old faces were to be seen on and off the pitch, with Glen Crowe proving to be Bohs hero once more, slotting the ball home to make it one nil. The anniversary programme isn’t over yet, with two more events to come.
On Thursday 1 October, a History Ireland Hedge School will take place at Dalymount Park with the title, Dublin in 1890 – when Bohemians were born.This will be a panel discussion with historians on the social, cultural and political conditions of Dublin in 1890 when a group of students met to found Bohemian Football Club and will feature, amongst others, our very own Donal Fallon. Tickets available here for a paltry €5. Two days later, on Saturday 3 October, Bohemians will lead a Tour of Bohemian Graves at Glasnevin Cemetery. This will leave at 11 am from the Finglas Road entrance of the cemetery and end at the Prospect Square entrance. Tickets available here for €4.
