The highest league finish since the days of the title was taken away, but it was time for the Dolima County Club to win a trophy, a testament to their progress on and off the field – and the thirst for silverware leads Keith Long to the FIII Cup quarter-finals against Dantalk tonight.

The path to the finals became clear yesterday: the FAI has confirmed the schedule of the remaining matches with the semi-finals scheduled for Sunday, November 29 and the semi-finals scheduled for Sunday, December 6 at the Aviva Stadium.

When Bose was knocked out in the semi – finals in the last two seasons, the Co Lawood club reached the cup final five years ago, so Dandalk is on the verge of experience. Talbot asserts that there is hunger at Dalimount to end the 10-year wait for honors.

“We want to do well, we need to get the silverware. We were disappointed to reach the semi – finals against Rovers last year. We didn’t really perform in the FII Cup last year, so it’s important that we put on a show tonight,” said Talbot, a native of Finglas.

“Outside of football, there is a lot of good work going on at Bose. It’s a credit to everyone at the club, but as players we have to get it on the field. We’m already happy to have won Europe. , Playing for the Dandalion team, which has been the best team in the country for a few years.

“Dandalk has had an incredible year. They have not beaten us this season but they are still very strong. We can not carry any passengers in this game. Dandalk can beat us if we are not there.”

Talbot aims for a strong finish in a season that has been severely hampered. He suffered an injury in the first game of the year, eventually losing to defending champions Shamrock Rovers, and then watching Kovid pick up the 19-season pick, and when he was fit again at the start of the season, Talbot was unable to oust substitute Stephen until his return to the team after a humiliating defeat at Waterford. It was disappointing to see their Europa League action from the bench.

“The lockdown helped me in some way because I was able to focus on getting fit, but when I got back Stephen had a great performance, and I had to spend time before I got in, and I took it when my chance came,” Talbot says, currently talking about a new deal. “I learned a lot during the lockdown.”

The 23-year-old admits it was a whirlwind of his career as he teamed up with Bose at the start of the 2019 season. Launched by Sunderland in the summer of 2018 away from soccer through the GAA commitments at Balimun Kickham, he made great strides in Boaz last year under Mick McCarthy, who qualified for an international call-up.

Darren Randolph remains Ireland’s owner, but Talbot hopes to open the door again when back-up keepers Cavomhen Keller and Mark Travers starve in first team action.

“I did not expect Ireland to call me last year, but my performances got me there, so I can not think right now which Ireland keepers are injured or not playing. All I can do is perform well for the club and the rest will take care of themselves.

Dandalc will assess the condition of their team before today’s game. Patrick Hobben is the latest injury concern with Patrick McLenny, with Filippo Giovagnoli planning for the game and next week’s Europa League Test in Rapid Vienna.

Dundalk won this week because midfielder Sean Murray was selected by the SSE Aerity Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland as his October Player of the Year.

Shamrock Rovers will face Finn Harps (5.45) in the quarterfinals tonight. Hope’s boss Stephen Bradley says the international team of Jack Byrne, Aaron McNeff, Abraham Burke, Roberto Lopez and Liam Scales have returned without problems.

• Bohemians v Dandalk, Live, RTÉ 2, 7.45

Irish Independent