Welcome to the Interviews Section. Here we eventally hope to have interviews with all the current players and backroom staff. So far you will find interviews we have conducted with Manager Joe McGrath and Kiwis, Raff DeGregorio and Dean Doods. If you have any questions you would like us to have put to any players please mail us.
Players :
| Raff DeGregorio | Dean Dodds | Jason Batty | Harry N'gata | Michael Dempsey |
| Donal Broughan | Robbie Best | Maurice O'Driscoll | Tony O'Connor | Robbie Brunton |
| Tommy Byrne | Derek McGrath | Paul Doolin | Derek Swan | Graham O'Hanlon |
| Graham Lawlor | Methembe Ndlovu | Brian Mooney | Fergal Harkin | Eoin Mullen |
Backroom Staff :
| Joe McGrath | Eamon Collins | Gerry Reddy |
INTERVIEW WITH RAFF De GREGORIO - 20/8/98
How does it feel to be playing in Ireland after playing the earlier part of your career in New Zealand?
Well I spent some time in Italy two years ago, so Europe isn't new to me, but the transfer to Ireland is a big cultural change. The Dublin people are very friendly and on the football side the support is good. There's a good atmosphere here.
Are you aware of the major rivalry between Bohs and Shamrock Rovers and has that effected you in any way?
Well I was warned about it! The boys told me what goes on and that helped out. "Stay calm" was the advice. But it was terrific to get the goal. I felt it was a good performance.
You must know at this stage that it's 21 years since Bohs last won the League title. Do you feel that you can contribute to bringing the title to Dalymount this year?
I hope so. I think we've got a good squad and a good mix of different players….. Irish, English, New Zealanders. I'm hopeful that it will gel, but we need luck. We need everyone to contribute; it will all come down to team performance.
How have you adjusted to life in Dublin as opposed to Wellington, New Zealand and how do the football facilities differ in both places?
Well it's quite similar. The people in Dublin are very easy going. They're brilliant. Itr's very easy to make friends, not much different from New Zealand in that respect. The people there are very friendly too. Bohemians is a great club, the people here, the bars and the supporters are superb. They get on your back and help out.
What are your aspirations after Bohs? Do you want to play in England or do you see a move back to New Zealand.
Well, I've got a one year contract so that will keep me here until next May. But if we win the League? You never know, maybe three to four years. Sure I'd like to play in England, but who knows?
Do you think that the experience you are gaining over here will enable you to break into the New Zealand international side and hopefully take them to a place in the World Cup in 2002, but more importantly beat local rivals Australia?
Well we always want to beat Australia! I'd like to be a regular in the team and do well; but that's the aspiration of every footballer - to play for his national side.
Are you aware of the new found support that Bohs have established in New Zealand since Joe McGrath has brought over Dean Dodds, Jason Batty, Harry Ngata and yourself; and what do you think of it?
Yeah. All the New Zealand fans have been checking out Bohs on the web pages. There's a lot of stuff about Bohs on the radio and in the newspapers. It's all contributing to a firm Bohemians support over there. I'm enjoying it, it's good to get involved in a different culture like this.
On a lighter note, how does it feel to be the sex symbol of the club and how are your responding to that???
What????? I don't know about being a sex symbol. (At this point, the "Highlander" link was explained to Raff - "There Can Be Only One") That's funny. Yeah, I'll talk to anyone!
Have you any message for the Bohs fans for this season and are you the man to bring the league title home to Dalymount?
Well I hope to contribute. The fact that we've got a good side should get us results, but it's early days yet. I'd like to see the supporters stick by the team in harder times as well as good ones. From what I've seen of them so far, they're superb.
© There Can Be Only One 1998
INTERVIEW WITH DEAN DODDS - 20/8/98
How does it feel to be playing in Ireland after playing the earlier part of your career in New Zealand?
It's a great experience. I look on this as a great chance to work my way through the ranks as a footballer. After New Zealand, the football in Ireland is of a very high standard and I hope to work upwards. It's a great opportunity for me.
What do you think of the rivalry between the Dublin Clubs?
Well, Joe told us all about Rovers, Pats and Shels. We kind of knew what to expect. And it's great to see all the fans behind us.
You must know at this stage that it's 21 years since Bohs last won the League title. Do you feel that you can contribute to bringing the title to Dalymount this year?
I hope to. It's 21 years since I was born, maybe that's an omen! I feel that we have a real good chance. I've seen Shels play and they look like a good side. From what I've seen of Pats and experienced against Rovers, they seem to be two very physical sides.
How have you adjusted to life in Dublin as opposed to Wellington, New Zealand and how do the football facilities differ in both places?
The stadiums are much bigger here in Ireland. You wouldn't get a thousand people at a match in New Zealand. The overall setup at Bohemians is very professional. However, the medical facilities in New Zealand are far more advanced. Fitness is of a high standard as we play in summer and the pace is much faster.
What are your aspirations after Bohs? Do you want to play in England or do you see a move back to New Zealand.
Not back to New Zealand, yet. Maybe when I'm about 35! England? Maybe. I want to keep progressing as a professional footballer. I'd like to stay here if things work out. I've got a one year contract anyway.
Do you think that the experience you are gaining over here will enable you to break into the New Zealand international side and hopefully take them to a place in the World Cup in 2002, but more importantly beat local rivals Australia?
We'd love to beat Oz! The chances are slim, though. The financial backup is not there for international soccer in New Zealand, not like the Australians have anyway. I'd be looking towards the Olympics in 2000. We'd be grouped with Fiji, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, etc., so I hope we'll do well.
Are you aware of the new found support that Bohs have established in New Zealand since Joe McGrath has brought over Dean Dodds, Jason Batty, Harry Ngata and yourself; and what do you think of it?
Everyone at home uses the internet to get news on what's happening. There's a lot of Bohs fans in New Zealand now. I think it's great. By the way, Harry's name is pronounced "NATA", the "G" is silent!
Yeah, when the news broke about us moving to Ireland, everyone took a huge interest in what was going on. It's been in the papers, on the internet. Our folks use the internet to keep up with what's happening in Bohemians.
What do you think of our chances of winning the League this season?
I'm sure the team is capable. We'll all give 100%. I'm hopeful that we can do it.
© There Can Be Only One 1998
INTERVIEW WITH JOE MCGRATH - 20/8/98
First of all, welcome. The burning question, Joe; why Bohs and why now?
I think that Bohs are a sleeping giant. It's a big club which hasn't filled its potential over the last few years. I think that we can do well.
What is the back-room support like compared with what you must have experienced as national team coach in New Zealand?
Eamonn Collins is superb and he's a good friend. He's worked hard, we're working hard together. Gerry Reddy knows all the young players around - he's our youth development officer. I feel that we have what it takes to make things happen.
Comparisons are already being drawn between your partnership with Eamonn Collins and the Eamonn Gregg/Maurice Price partnership that brought us the FAI cup and almost won us the League some years back.
Well, I have a confession to make at this point. I'm afraid that I was personally responsible for poaching Maurie Price away from Bohemians. I offered him the job with the FAI at the time!
What are your ambitions for this season and what do you think Bohs are capable of achieving?
Firstly, I want to get this club into Europe, and not just to get there - I want us to be capable of competing at that level. I'm trying to build a team that can play in Europe and win. See Raff, Dean, Harrry, etc., we'll build a strong team this season and if we don't win the National League then we'll come very close. We'll still need some luck on our side.
Who do you expect will be the toughest opponents?
Probably Shels and Pats. Mind you, I don't mind if they beat us three times this season as long as we still win the League!
Any more new signings on the horizon?
Hopefully Methembe Ndlovu, the Zimbabwean player. He's gone back there to play for his national side, but I hope to sign him yet. And unfortunately Ross Nicholson and Gareth Roe couldn't get their work permits so they won't be joining us.
What are your thoughts on the overall fitness of the squad
We're getting there. I want this team to be capable of playing at the very highest level. That means working them hard. Fitness is an ongoing thing, and it's important if we want to compete and win.
Thanks, Joe. Best of luck for the forthcoming season.
© There Can Be Only One 1998