Shamrock Rovers ran out 2-1 winners over bitter rivals Bohemians after a second-half comeback inspired by substitutes Dylan Watts and John McGovern as Enda Stevens ends the hero of the night.
Bohemians 1
Shamrock Rovers 2
111 Years later from these clubs first meeting at Dalymount Park, tonight marked the last ever competitive match between great rivals Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers at this iconic North Dublin venue.
And the final game absolutely lived up to it’s billing with a frantic yet passionate display from both teams. Rovers however would win the final encounter at Dalymount Park after a strong fight back with second-half goals from John McGovern and Enda Stevens cancelling out an early strike by Ross Tierney to give the Hoops the valuable three points and extend their lead at the top of the table to five points.
For Bohs, who undisputedly dominated proceedings for long spells throughout the match, they will look back and regret wasted chances when Rovers were hanging on for periods.
As all Dublin Derbies do, this one started frantic with both sides knowing what’s at stake. Shamrock Rovers started in the ascendency early on with multiple Jack Byrne deliveries defended by Bohs in the early exchanges.
The game sprung into life then with the Gypsies pressing high and winning the ball in the Rovers half. Dawson Devoy collected a loose clearance by Lee Grace and stung the hands of his now Irish International teammate Ed McGinty, the Rovers shot-stopper couldn’t hold the initial effort and parried Colm Whelan’s follow up away from danger.
Sobowale, arguably Rovers player of the season set-up the Hoops first chance of the game after he dribbled past Sadou Diallo and slid Aaron Greene through on goal, the veteran striker however from a tight angle couldn’t force a shot-on-goal and Chorazka comfortably smothered the ball.
The games first goal came the way of the hosts after a deep cross from Darragh Power was headed back across goal by Parsons to the feet of Ross Tierney who volleyed in from close range to send the Dalymount faithful mad.
Bohs could’ve extended their lead only minutes later after a flick on from Colm Whelan pinned Parsons one-on-one with Sobowale, the winger cut his man and forced McGinty into another smart stop.
Devoy was given the luxury of space at the top-of-the-box all day long by Rovers, however this time with ten minutes to go in the first interval, the Bohs captain wasn’t able to test McGinty, with the midfielder firing over.
The second-half continued on in the same vain as the first period with constant Bohs pressure and Dawson Devoy allowed space in and around the Rovers final-third.
Colm Whelan had the half’s first effort after he tried the spectacular to chip Ed McGinty from an acute angle, the experienced net-minder watched the attempt fly agonisingly over his crossbar.
Rovers had their first real big chance of the game with 53′ minutes on the clock as Graham Burke found space on the edge of the box for the first time all night, the ex-Ireland international fired low and into the corner forcing Kacper Chorazka to parry the ball although, straight to the feet of Aaron Greene who had his close range effort saved on the follow up.
Finally Rovers seemed to kick into gear with Jack Byrne swinging in a corner met by Hoops captain on the night Lee Grace who narrowly headed wide.
Bohs responded with a huge chance of their own after a poor defensive header by ex-Bohs man Danny Grant fell into the path of Dayle Rooney who raced through on goal down the right-side of the Rovers defence and placed his curling effort just wide of the mark.
Rovers with the size and quality of their squad were always going to have to rely on key men on the bench to inspire them at some point. That is exactly what happened after John McGovern scored only two minutes after coming on, Sobowale sent in a sublime cross for the Down native and McGovern made no mistake heading into the corner.
What followed the Rovers equaliser was more back and forth chaos we associate with this Derby. Ross Tierney had arguably the biggest chance that spawned out of the mayhem after he was set through on goal from a flick by Douglas James-Taylor, the attacking-midfielder elected to take the chance on the volley forcing McGinty to catch comfortably.
Rovers at the death looked like the team to win the game and in the dying embers of the game a delicate delivery by Jack Byrne was met by the head of Enda Stevens who powered a beautiful effort past Chorazka.
Man of the Match: Tunmise Sobowale
The centre-half was yet again faultless for the Hoops tonight in defence and going forward. The flying right sided defender put in the cross for the equaliser and kept the Bohs wingers relatively quiet. Sobowale was also critical in the champions build-up play today.
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Bohemian FC: Kacper Chorazka, Jordan Flores, Patrick Hickey, Cian Byrne, Dylan Power, Dawson Devoy, Sadou Diallo, Dayle Rooney, Ross Tierney, Connor Parsons, Colm Whelan Subs: Sam Todd for Jordan Flores (61′), Harry Vaughan for Connor Parsons (66′) Adam McDonnell for Sadou Diallo (80′)
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty, Enda Stevens, Lee Grace, Tunmise Sobowale, Jake Mulraney, Matt Healy, Jack Byrne, Victor Ozhianvuna, Danny Grant, Aaron Greene, Graham Burke Subs: Dylan Watts for Victor Ozhianvuna (48′), John McGovern for Aaron Greene (66′) John O’Sullivan for Jack Byrne (81′)
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan
Attendance: 4422