In front of a crowd of over 21,000 Bohemians and St Pats played out they’re third consecutive scoreless draw.
Bohemians 0
St Pats Athletic 0
In a dead heat match between two bitter rivals for the 53rd time, Bohemians and St Pats play out a scoreless draw in a nervy encounter at the Aviva Stadium, with this fixture being the third time that both sides have faced off at the Aviva, with St Pats winning on both occasions.
Both teams start their respective seasons with some inner reflection and soul searching to do as both sides will look for huge improvements in match-week number two.
As Bohemians were the home team, a rousing rendition of well-known Bohemians fan Johhny Logan’s song “Hold me now” was sung at full volume at the Aviva. Followed by tifo and pyrotechnics displays by both teams, with St Pats making their anger towards loud and clear with a tifo stating “You sold your soul for a second time”.
The game was a slow burner from the minute go, with both teams careless with possession and having passing accuracy in the mid 80 percentage. Both teams struggled to make an immediate imprint on the game.
The game came into life with a careless challenge by Bohs full-back Darragh Power. The St Pats faithful were claiming for a red card, however referee Kevin O’Sullivan ended up brandishing a yellow one.
What should have followed as the kick start the game so desperately needed, ended up being a false dawn. Only two shots in the first half came three minutes apart.
For Bohemians a half chance for Ross Tierney, as the former Motherwell and Walsall midfielder produced a tidy save from Pats goalie Joseph Anang.
While the Inchicore side went close on the stroke of the 17th minute as Barry Baggley had a curling effort just over wide of Kacper Chorazka’s right-hand post.
Photographed by Noah McCormick
Tom Grivosti, who was making his 100th appearance for the Saints, saw yellow with an aggressive high tackle on Ross Tierney.
St Pats head coach Steven Kenny will be worried as West Brom academy graduate, Zach Elbouzedi hobbled off injured, with new recruit Ronan Boyce making his Saints debut.
While Bohs had the line share of the ball in the first half, with 67% of the ball, they were unable to capitalize on this as both sides headed to the dressing room goalless.
The start of the second was livelier, with Aidan Keena, who really struggled for form in this game, went down in the Bohemians penalty area, but referee O’Sullivan waved off the complaints.
A few minutes later, the Bohs goalkeeper launched a long ball, which found Connor Parsons who was in one-on-one with Joseph Anang. Yet the former Waterford player was unable to finish, with Anang making a wonderful save to keep the game scoreless.
While the tempo was raised throughout the second half, neither team could make a claim for victory.
Another contentious decision was waved off by referee O’Sullivan, this time against the Gypsies, as former Ireland u19 and u21 international Harry Vaughan had his jersey pulled in the box.
As the subs for both sides rolled of the bench, the game became more back-and-forth, open and exciting, yet a winner for either side felt as though it was never coming. Pats had a small swing in momentum before the final whistle; however, as the rain began to fall in Dublin 4, it was not enough to grab a late winner, with the match ending nil-nil.
Nominated home side Bohemians will have to pick themselves up for a road trip across the country as they face Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds. Meanwhile for St Pats they must go again against Galway at Richmond Park, as both teams will be yearning for better next time out.
Man of the match: Joseph Anang commanded his area today with excellent prowess. His one-on-one save against Connor Parsons was definitely moment of the match and his areal ability was second to none today.
Bohemians (4-2-3-1): Kacper Chorazka, Senan Mullen, Sam Todd, Patrick Hickey, Darragh Power, James McManus, Dawson Devoy (c), Jordan Flores, Ross Tierney, Harry Vaughan, Connor Parsons Subs: Paul Girard Walters (gk), Niall Morahan (77’ for Darragh Power), Colm Whelan (58’ for Sean Mullen), Dayle Rooney (63’ for James McManus), Adam McDonnell (63’ for Harry Vaughan), Leigh Kavanagh, Cian Byrne, Hugh Martin, Markuss Stroods (77’ for Connor Parsons)
St Pats (3-5-2): Joseph Anang, Luke Turner, Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland, Barry Crowe Baggley, Kian Leavy, Jamie Lennon, Zachary Elbouzedi, Aidan Keena, Ryan Edmondson Subs: Daniel Rogers (gk), Anthony Breslin (85’ for Jason McClelland), Chris Forrester, Ronan Boyce (37’ for Zachery Elbouzedi), Darragh Nugent (85’ for Kian Leavy), Romal Palmer (68’ for Ryan Edmondson), Joshua O’Connor, Samuel Rooney, Glory Nzingo (68’ for Aidan Keena)
Attendance: 24,472