Ex-Shelbourne midfielder Stuart Byrne believes a young crop of players has given Bohemians a new lease of life this season.

The Dublin club are fifth in this season's Premier Division and have enjoyed wins recently over heavyweights Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers in the league. 

Stuey highlighted the importance of youth in the blend that manager Keith Long is building.

"He's brought in young, hungry player," he said on Off The Ball tonight. "I was there myself. Whatever name I made for myself, there was a couple of seasons where you were a nobody and had a point to prove. If you want to progress as a footballer, you've got to prove it week in, week out. There's plenty of scope for young, hungry players in any team and there's plenty of teams that can do with them."   

However, Waterford United manager Roddy Collins doubts that Bohs can kick on.

"In the overall picture of it, Bohs have beaten two top teams but it doesn't make them a top team. They've done it on the day, but can they do it consistently? I don't think so due to the fact that they have young players who don't know how to cope with it. But if you can keep them there and build on it, maybe next year or the year after, you might look at a top three team. But for the moment, it's a good, energetic, exuberant, young team with a couple of very good experienced players like Mulcahy and Jason Byrne."