Rhys Brennan delivered the knockout blow to Shamrock Rovers as Bohemians completed a sensational comeback to win the Dublin Derby 2-3 in Tallaght.
Bohs had started the game brightly, creating chances in the first five minutes. However, slowly Rovers grew into the game, and created an excellent non-scoring chance 23 minutes in when Josh Honahan’s long range effort from the left hit the crossbar, a real let off for the Gypsies.
One interesting tactic was defender John Mountney moving forward a lot in the first half, as Bohs were playing with no recognised striker. This created an aerial presence, however, Bohemians couldn’t capitalise and this would prove to cost them.
In the 38th minute, Honahan would banish the demons of his miss 15 minutes earlier, with a fantastic run through an albeit fragile Bohs defence, as captain Dawson Devoy pulled out of a certain foul-drawing challenge and Mountney back-pedalling.
The Carragaline-man was cool with his low driven effort which glided past Kacper Chorazka’s right hand side to give the Hoops a 1-0 lead.
Rovers wouldn’t have to wait long for their second goal either, as Michael Noonan got on the end of a second ball lost by Bohemians defender Sean Grehan.
The 18-year-old, sitting his Leaving Cert in June, took the ball on a solo run, winning the two on two battle and driving it low to Chorazka’s left, to give Shamrock Rovers a two goal cushion heading into half time as Noonan celebrated in the flare smoke.
In the second half, Bohs thought it went from bad to worse, as winger Connor Parsons, who was one of their more threatening and creative players, was forced off through injury just six minutes in.
In his place came 18-year-old Rhys Brennan, who came on for just his fifth appearance in the Premier Division this season.
With just over 20 minutes to go, Bohs finally found their goal, as Roberto Lopes headed clear a cross only as far as Ross Tierney, whose header towards Dayle Rooney was picket up by Dawson Devoy.
The captain wasted no time in firing a shot away with his right-foot to Ed McGinty’s left, hitting the correct side of the side-netting.
Bohs continued with their progressive play which eventually paid its dividends with ten minutes to go, as Niall Morahan’s long low pass found substitute Colm Whelan, who dinked the ball into the path of Ross Tierney to fire home into the bottom left corner.
At this stage, many Bohemians supporters would have been happy with a 2-2 draw, especially considering the circumstances.
However, Bohs continued to push for the winner. Eventually, deep into added time, Leigh Kavanagh’s header from a poor Shamrock Roverd clearance found its way to Colm Whelan, who held up play before playing the ball into the path of Rhys Brennan.
Despite the substitute’s first effort being well stopped by McGinty, the rebound fell straight to Brennan, and this time there was nothing the former Sligo ‘keeper could have done about it, and the forced substitute won it in the sixth of six minutes of stoppage time.
It’s the first time since 2019 that Bohemians have won back-to-back league games over Shamrock Rovers. It’s also the first time since then that Bohs have won in Tallaght.
It’s also the first time since April 2024 that the Gypsies have won back-to-back league fixtures.
Bohs’ next fixture is another Dublin Derby, this time at home to St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night.
As for Shamrock Rovers, they also await the reception of another Dublin side as they contest the Ringsend Derby against Shelbourne.
Featured Image: Darren O’Hanlon (@YourDailyDOHs on X, Instagram)