Keith Long eyes summer recruitment as 'gulf in class' shows between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians manager Keith Long admitted that there was a "gulf in class" between his side and Shamrock Rovers after a 3-1 defeat to the reigning SSE Airtricity League champions at Dalymount Park.

Ex-Bohs defender Andy Lyons gave the Hoops an early lead against his former side before a Max Murphy own-goal provided another hammer blow.

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe pulled a goal back for the hosts in the second half but that was quickly wiped out by another former Bohs man, Danny Mandroiu, scoring Rovers' third.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game, Long detailed the work that will be needed in the transfer market when it opens this summer to close the gap to their derby rivals.

"We'll try and bring some players in if we can. Recruitment is going to be very key in the summer, like it will be for a lot of teams," he said.

"There's a gulf in class tonight between the two sides for sure but we have to try and work with this group and worry about our own performances and not worry about what other teams do. We have to get our own house in order and try and get quality players in if we possibly can - to try and strengthen the group - and work with the team that we've got to improve the group."

Long felt Shamrock Rovers were "sharper and hungrier" than his side at the start of the game and was particularly disappointed with the way Bohs defended and dealt with set-pieces.

"We were just second best and we were beaten by a better team and we've got to take our medicine tonight. It's not nice to hear, it's disappointing for us but we carried too many players tonight, and we didn't really test Shamrock Rovers enough," he said.

"The first half was really disappointing. We were second best and we didn't win our headers, we didn't defend the back post