Bohemians defeat Shamrock Rovers to mark Dalymount’s final Friday night Dublin Derby despite late Hoops’ rally.
Bohemian FC 3
Shamrock Rovers 2
Sporting events in Ireland don’t come much bigger then the Dublin Derby between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians and with the backdrop of tonight being the last Friday night derby between the two rivals in Dalymount Park the stakes were set higher than usual for a round four fixture.
The hosts motivated by their unbeaten start to this seasons campaign looked to continue on from last years home domination over the Hoops’, winning both home games albeit one of them played in the Aviva Stadium. For the champions winning in Dayler has been some what of a stumbling block for Stephen Bradley’s men with no wins in the last six meetings.
With the news headline of pyro being banned across the League of Ireland it was only fitting red and black smoke set the tone for a fiery atmosphere between these two Dublin sides.
The match began as many expected it too with a frantic period of both sides trying to build early momentum and develop their passing game. An early yellow card for Bohemians captain Dawson Devoy showcased that the passion in the stands had ignited on the pitch.
After a first ten minutes which ebbed and flowed, Adam Brennan the hero from the Hoops’ last Dublin derby had the first sighting on goal after a long ball from Ed McGinty found the teenager in space down the left flank, Brennan cut inside and fired his shot over the crossbar.
Alan Reynolds hinted in his pre match conference that he expected Rovers to lean more towards a direct style of play and this was the case for both sides with Bohs using Dayle Rooney as a channel runner and the champions likewise with Michael Noonan.
The aforementioned Brennan continued to impress and midway through the first half his first time volley from the edge of the box forced Kacper Chorazka in the Bohs goal to produce a fine stop.
Minutes later Bohemians struck first when Colm Whelan expertly nutmegged Roberto Lopes with a pass to Connor Parsons who in turn rolled the ball through McGinty’s legs to cap off an impressive passing play from the hosts.
Rovers looked to respond with lovely combination play on the left hand side by the two Irish underage internationals, Brennan and Ozhianvuna, the latter would have a shot deflected in the box after Brennan slipped him in behind the Bohs defence.
The hosts ended the first half the stronger team, playing flowing football through the Shamrock Rovers press with Dawson Devoy finding space in the middle of the park and dictating play. Devoy would set the goal scorer Parsons down the left wing who squared to Ross Tierney, his shot was hounded down by Roberto Lopes.
Ed McGinty who made a mistake leading to Dundalk’s equaliser last week struggled with his kicking to start the second half, the Rovers netminder had his clearance intercepted on the halfway line by Dawson Devoy, Devoy then played a one-two with Whelan before firing a deflected effort just 0ver.
Bohemians who started the second half on top were awarded a penalty when Dan Cleary clumsiley put a hand on the back of Ross Tierney who went to ground. Colm Whelan was calm and composed from the spot, passing the ball into the bottom left corner past McGinty.
Photo By: Vihaan Mohan
The hosts had a glorious opportunity to make it three nil shortly after, Ross Tierney nutmegged Ozhianvuna and made a piercing run through the middle of the Rovers defence spotted by Niall Morahan, Tierney looked to cut back before being smothered by McGinty. Bohs wide play had caused Rovers trouble all night and in particular Parsons who fired a cross shot that nearly found it’s way into the top corner.
The Gypsies who have had first contact on a majority of corners nearly made it three nil with twenty minutes to go, Sam Todd rose highest to control his header to the back post towards Ross Tierney who had his flicked effort cleared off the line by Cory O’Sullivan.
The hosts third goal inevitably came five minutes from time when Dawson Devoy was released in acres of space down the right side of the Rovers defence, the Gypsies captain got his head up and spotted Ross Tierney at the edge of the box who placed a left footed shot into the bottom right corner in off the post.
Rovers would respond with two quick fire goals from Roberto Lopes and Aaron Greene in injury time which caused a nervy end to a somewhat comfortable collective performance from the Gypsies.
Bohemians navigated the chaos dealing with an all out barrage of Rovers pressure in the dying embers of the match. Bohs have now won four of the last five meetings between these two great rivals.
Man of the Match: Dawson Devoy
Bohemians captain Dawson Devoy was crucial to winning the midfield battle against Rovers, his ability to mix creativity and hard working tackling proved to be too much for the Hoops’. Dawson Devoy played a part in all three goals for Bohs and in particular was registered with an assist for Ross Tierney’s game winning goal.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty, Cory O’Sullivan, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary, Adam Brennan, Dylan Watts, Matt Healy, Victor Ozhianvuna, Danny Grant, Graham Burke, Michael Noonan Subs: Jack Byrne for Dylan Watts (65′), Tunmise Sobowale for Dan Cleary (65′), Tunmise Sobowale for Danny Grant (65′), John McGovern for Victor Ozhianvuna (73′), Aaron Greene for Michael Noonan (79′)
Bohemian FC: Kacper Chorazka, Jordan Flores, Patrick Hickey, Sam Todd, Niall Morahan, Adam McDonnell, Dawson Devoy, Conor Parsons, Ross Tierney, Dayle Rooney, Colm Whelan Subs: Cian Byrne for Connor Parsons (84′)
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 4,442