Bohemians 0 Cork City 2

Sheppard’s delight as Cork City extend their winning start to nine wins from nine games in this seasons SSE Airtricity League following a hard fought win against a battling Bohs side that dominated much of the game.

Karl Sheppard was the hero for the runaway league leaders hitting a quite incredible volley, with Garry Buckley adding a late second to break Gypsies hearts.

Judging by the opening 15 minutes you would be forgiven that it was the hosts who were flying high at the top of the table, not allowing their illustrious visitors a second on the ball. A rip roaring start saw Oscar Brennan and Georgie Poynton stinging Mark McNulty’s finger tips from 25 and 20 yards out respectively. Roars of B-O-H-S rang around Dalymount with the Bohs faithful appreciating their sides efforts.

With their perfect start to the season on the line, Cork struggled to get a foot hold in the game and eight minutes before half time referee Ben Connolly found himself at the center of huge controversy for both sides.

Firstly, Karl Sheppard looked the favourite to get on to a long ball over the top but was met by the body of the onrushing Shane Supple, with a goal kick being the outcome, leaving the travelling support behind the goal incensed.

The home fans had their turn to vent their outrage moments later when midfielder Poynton raced through showing the City defence a clean pair of heals, only to be hauled down as he approached the 18 yard box. The loose ball spilled to Kaleem Simon, and just as it seemed the front man was about to tuck it away, he was then brought down amidst a tangle of legs. Amazingly, the referee waved away claims for both calls and allowing advantage.

Outrage turned to full on fury just minutes later when the visitors took the lead with their first effort on target, and what a goal it was. A corner was half cleared from Bohs and as the ball came out of the night sky, Sheppard hit a first time volley the flew into the top corner, giving Supple no chance and arguably rivaling Conan Byrne for goal of the season.

The Gypsies continues their high tempo game into the second half and really should have equalized on the 58th minute. Kaleem Simon showed good hold up play and played a delicate little reverse pass to Keith Ward who galloped in on goal only to be denied by McNulty, who stayed big until the last second.

City did well to take the sting out of the game thereafter, restricting Bohs to a couple of set pieces but an honorable mention has to go to Bohs energizer bunny in midfield, Fuad Sule, who worked tirelessly throughout and set the tone for the Gypsies excellent performance and is quickly becoming a fan favourite around Phibsboro.

With just five minutes left the visitors doubled their lead when current player of the month Sean Maguire won the ball back in the corner and delivered a low cross that was bundled home by Garry Buckley to extend their winning run to an incredible nine games and kill the tie off.

Things don’t get any easier for the Gypsies as they face reigning Champions Dundalk next week at Oriel Park whilst league leaders Cork face an exciting battle against a resurgent Bray Wanderers at Turners Cross.

Bohemian fc: Shane Supple, Derek Pender (c), Lorcan Fitzgerald, Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Keith Ward (Jamie Hamilton), Kaleem Simon, Paddy Kavangh, Oscar Brennan, Fuad Sule (Ian Morris), Georgie Poynton (Steven Nolan)

Subs: Greg Murray, Philip Gannon, Eoghan Morgan, Ian Morris, Dylan Hayes, Steven Nolan, Jamie Hamilton

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Alan Bennett (c), Ryan Delaney, Jimmy Keohane (Steven Beattie), Conor McCormack, Stephen Dooley (Shane Griffin), Kevin O’Connor, Geroid Morrissey, Karl Sheppard, Sean Maguire, Garry Buckley (Greg Bolger)

Subs: Alan Smith, John Kavanagh, Greg Bolger, Achille Campion, Steven Beattie, Connor Ellis, Shane Griffin

Referee: Ben Connolly

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