Bohemians won’t go down the same road as Shelbourne, insists Fenlon

PAT FENLON is convinced Bohemians’ dreams will not result in the same financial catastrophe that befell Shelbourne.

Already at the Eircom League summit, Bohs began their Intertoto Cup campaign in superb fashion against Rhyl last week, overcoming a half-time deficit to clinch a 5-1 first-leg success.

Barring a major upset today the Dublin outfit will book a second round trip to either Latvia or Iceland, when victory would leave them just one win away from a place in the UEFA Cup.

It would represent the biggest impact an Irish club has made in Europe since Shelbourne reached the Champions League third qualifying round in 2004.

As manager of both the present-day Bohemians and the Shelbourne club beset by financial problems after over-reaching themselves in 2006, Fenlon is perfectly placed to assess the differences.

And he feels Bohemians are not at the same risk.

“Whenever a team in Ireland does well now a degree of scepticism comes with it and people worry about whether it will last. That is understandable I suppose,” said Fenlon.

“But the major difference is Shelbourne was just one man – Ollie Byrne, who has since died of a brain tumour – whereas Bohemians – and other clubs – have brought investors to the club. In our case, the sale of the ground has helped as well.”

It is estimated disposing of their current home at Dalymount Park and relocating to a 10,000-seat stadium on land close to Dublin airport will net Bohemians a €60 million windfall.

Little wonder a feelgood factor around the club will see 600 fans make the trip to north Wales today.

“In the early 90s, Bohemians were one of the biggest clubs in Ireland but they were not able to sustain it,” said Fenlon.

“They would win a league or a cup, then nothing for five or six years. It was a cycle that needed changing.

“Now we look like a different club.”

The smart money would be on a meeting with Iceland’s Fylkir next week given they won the away leg against FK Riga last week, with Scottish opposition potentially lying in wait at the third round stage if Hibernian can get past Sweden’s IF Elfsborg.

That would hold no fears given Bohemians’ finest hour on the European front with a UEFA Cup win over Aberdeen eight years ago.

“We looked at the Intertoto at the start of the year and felt we could win a place in the UEFA Cup,” said Fenlon. “In order to do that, we have to handle a lot of things, including the number of fixtures and the way they fall. But problems like that are what we want.”