DINNY’S GOAL HAS BOHS AVIVA DREAMING

BOHEMIANS  1 – 0  CORK CITY

A priceless first half goal from Dinny Corcoran catapulted brave Bohemians into the last 8 of the FAI Cup on a tense night in Phibsboro. There were no foxhole surprises this time around, but a slick Dalymount surface played host to a pulsating cup tie which saw supreme performances from Bohs goalkeeper Dean Delany and winger Kevin Devaney.

Gypsies manager Owen Heary was forced into two full-back changes from Friday’s end-to-end 2-2 draw in Turner’s Cross. Derek Pender replaced the suspended Steven Beattie at left back, while Roberto Lopes replaced Keith Buckley at right back. The barstools and stormy weather kept many away, but those who came were treated to a high-octane cup tie in the true tradition of the FAI’s blue riband trophy, writes KEVIN FAGAN.

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John Caulfield and Cork must be sick of the sight of Bohs at this stage – the Gypsies have won 2 and drawn 2 of the four games so far this season. Chief among Cork’s tormentors was Kevin Devaney, who was simply superb on the right flank for Bohs. He had the first shot in anger with a stinging effort on 8 minutes that Mark McNulty pushed around the post for a corner. The teams exchanged set pieces before an unfortunate incident mid-way through the first half.

Dan Byrne was unfairly shouldered by Mark O’Sullivan, and twisted his knee awkwardly. The Cabra man tried to play on, but suffered another twist just moments later. It quickly became very clear that Byrne was seriously injured, and the initial reports of a cruciate ligament tear are hopefully wide of the mark. The defender has been one of Bohs’ standout performers of the season. Understandably, Bohs were shaken by the episode, and took a good 1o minutes to gather themselves. Cork could easily have capitalised, but Mark O’Sullivan’s effort was well saved by Delany before Roberto Lopes headed just wide of his own goal under duress.

Devaney sparked into life again on 34 minutes, skinning John Dunleavy before firing a cross/shot that stung McNulty’s palms again. The opener arrived just 5 minutes later, and there was no surprise that it came from the Bohs right side. Devaney slalomed past two before feeding the overlapping Lopes, who cut the ball back to Jason Byrne. Jayo’s shot cannoned off Dan Murray and fell to Dinny Corcoran at the back post – and he added to his brace from Friday by steering / controlling the ball into the far corner.

The second half kept to the end-to-end script – Devaney had another long range effort before Cork had a glorious chance to equalise. Billy Dennehy powered past Aidan Price and found himself one on one with Delany. His initial hot was brilliantly saved by the Bohs keeper, but the ball rebounded back off Dennehy and then struck the post. Bohs breathed a sigh of relief as Dennehy choked back the tears.

Delany still had a big part to play. On 81 minutes, he pulled off a fantastic 1 handed save from a Gearoid Morrissey snapshot. The ball almost fell into the goal after the save, but Delany scrambled to grab it at the second attempt. Then, in injury time, the Bohs keeper had to fly across his goal to stop a Colin Healy free-kick. The relief was palpable, and the joy was clear when referee Neil Doyle blew the final whistle just a minute later.

Bohs are into Tuesday’s quarter final draw. After dispatching Limerick and Cork with two tough away draws, Owen Heary will be hoping for a home tie in the last 8. Just two steps from the Aviva.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Roberto Lopes, Daniel Byrne (Craig Walsh 26), Aidan Price, Derek Pender, Kevin Devaney, David Mulcahy, Eoin Wearen, Karl Moore (Keith Buckley 80), Jason Byrne (Adam Evans 66), Dinny Corcoran. Subs not used: Jake Hyland, Paddy Kavanagh, Stephen Best, Aaron Shanahan.

Cork City: Mark McNulty, John Kavanagh (Liam Kearney, 79), Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, John Dunleavy, Josh O’Shea (Danny Morrissey, 46), Gearoid Morrissey, Colin Healy, Garry Buckley, Billy Dennehy, Mark O’Sullivan (Cillian Morrison, 63). Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien, Gavin Kavanagh, Darren Murphy, David O’Leary.

COULDN’T ASK FOR MOORE

BOHEMIANS 2-1 DROGHEDA UTD

Bohemians waited until July to secure their first league win at Dalymount Park but have now won two at home on the trot in the Premier Division after securing a deserved triumph over Drogheda on Friday evening, writes CONOR HAYES.

Karl Moore was the hero in an eventful game as he grabbed the first early on and set up Jason Byrne for the winner in the second half. Both sides finished the game a man down as Steven Beattie and Gavin Brennan were given their marching orders for a tussle off the ball.

The home side made three changes from the team that drew with UCD last week with Karl Moore, Jason Byrne and Dave Mulcahy coming in. Beattie deputised for the injured Anto Murphy at full-back.

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The game began quietly with the ever busy Gary O’Neill having the first shot on goal for the away side but it flew over. Bohemians were looking every bit the side who had not scored in their last three games but just before the fifteenth minute they produced a wonderfully worked goal.

A nice ball out of defence by Dan Byrne found its way to Dinny Corcoran in the centre circle who played an inviting through ball past the retreating Drogheda defenders and into the path of Karl Moore. Jason Byrne was calling for it at the far post but the winger had only eyes for goal as he powered it past Michael Schlingermann and to the roof of the net.

After being the provider, Corcoran then set about getting on the scoresheet himself and came agonisingly close on two occasions. First, a Mulcahy pass saw the former UCD man hit a lovely turning volley which beat the keeper but cannoned off the crossbar. Next, a whipped corner from Moore found the striker lurking in the six yard box but his header could only find the frame of the goal.

Bohs would then miss another glorious chance to double their lead a minute into the second half. Some trickery on the right wing saw Kevin Devaney charge into the box, his powerful cross could only be parried by Schlingermann into the path of Moore whose scuffed shot came towards Byrne diving forward with his head not more than two yards from the line. Many in the Jodi Stand were celebrating only to see the Drogheda keeper emerge with the ball in his hands.

The men in red and black then seemed to lose their initiative and United playing in all white seemed to sense their oppostion’s nervousness and looked to take advantage. They did just that after forcing a corner shortly after the hour mark. Gavin Holohan’s ball was punched away but directly into the path of Brennan who coolly finished inside the box.

It seemed that Bohs were doomed to repeat the same story at Dalymount that they have endured all season with missed opportunities in front of goal costing them valuable points. However, Moore wasn’t done for the evening and less than five minutes later the Gypsies would regain the lead.

Dan Byrne brought the ball out from defence and attempted to play in the wide man charging down the left, the pass was slightly over hit and Alan McNally seemed favourite to clear but Moore’s desire won the day as he emerged with the ball after a wonderfully timed tackle. He then had the presence of mind to pick out Jason Byrne at the back post. It’s been a long goal drought for the former Cardiff forward but he reminded us all why he’s one of the best strikers to ever grace our league as he thundered his shot into the far corner.

The game had not been a particularly truculent affair but with seventeen minutes remaining something spilled over between Beattie and Brennan on the right touchline. The Drogheda man went down clutching his face after it appeared the makeshift right back had raised his hands.

Anthony Buttimer’s eyes had been on play but his fourth official had clearly seen the full incident and advised the referee to dish out a red card apiece. The two offenders verbally continued their row as they exited the field and both managers will be furious over losing two valuable players to a long suspension for such indiscipline.

The sending off seemed to disrupt the visitor’s rhythm more than Bohemians’ and while there were a few nervous moments in the penalty area as the game entered its final moments, Byrne’s goal proved to be the decisive one.

So after three games without a win and a goal, Bohs return to form just in time for Monday, when they entertain Shamrock Rovers in Phibsboro for the second time in a fortnight.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Steven Beattie, Dan Byrne, Aidan Price, Derek Pender; Kevin Devaney (Keith Buckley 90+1), Roberto Lopes, Dave Mulcahy, Karl Moore; Dinny Corcoran (Adam Evans 85), Jason Byrne (Ryan McEvoy 78). Subs Not Used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Jack Memery, Jake Hyland, Craig Walsh.

Drogheda United: Micheal Schlingermann; Daire Doyle, Alan McNally, Ciaran McGuigan, Shane Grimes; Peter McGlynn; Cathal Brady (Declan O’Brien 72), Gavan Holohan, Gavin Brennan, Carl Walshe (Gareth Brady 85); Gary O’Neill. Subs Not Used: Paul Andrews, Paul Crowley, Sean O’ Connor, Roy Kireans, Dylan Connolly.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)

Mr Green Man of the Match: Karl Moore

BOHS FAIL TO TAKE CHANCES

UCD 0-0 BOHEMIANS

Bohemians endured a frustrating Friday night in Belfield, as despite a large amount of possession and a host of chances, they could only secure a 0-0 stalemate with UCD, writes CONOR HAYES.

Their control of this fixture was set in motion from the opening whistle but the visitors will be disappointed with the final pass which so often deserted them on a evening where they owned the ball.

Bohs made five changes from the disappointing League Cup semi on Monday starting with the team which had secured excellent home results against St Pat’s and Cork. They began by pressurising the Students in their own half and the away side created numerous early chances.

First a UCD kick out was cleared right into the path of Dinny Corcoran but he couldn’t find the ball to Steven Beattie who was waiting unmarked in the box.

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With just over ten minutes gone, Eoin Wearen, making a trademark late run into the box, latched on to Kavangh’s pass but struggled to get the ball out of his feet and the UCD defence eventually cleared.

It seemed at this point that a Bohs goal was a certainty as Pender spurned their best chance of the half. Wearen released the Bohs skipper marauding from full back but his shot was half stopped by Students’ net minder Niall Corbett before Gareth Matthews mopped up on the line and completed the job.

Next, an Anto Murphy long throw found it’s way to Roberto Lopes at the edge of the area but he fired over. Devaney, who looked a constant danger throughout, then found Wearen inside the area, who had Corbett stretching, but it crept just wide.

The game then entered a lull as UCD seemed to have dealt with the early Bohs barrage. But just as half time approached a scuffed shot deflected wide for a Bohs corner. From the delivery, Murphy jumped at the back post but his header was pushed wide. The defender seemed to suffer a nasty fall and was stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle.

The second period began just as the first, with Bohs in the ascendancy. Devaney, ever a menace to the UCD defence, robbed possession just outside of the danger zone, he cut inside and found Kavanagh who slotted it wide from eight yards. In truth, it was a sitter.

The former Sligo man was involved again as his low driven cross found Lopes, now playing at right back, but his shot deflected wide. Subsitute Dave Mulcahy then nodded wide from a Kavanagh corner. Lopes was still willing to attack despite his position change and won the ball high up the pitch but UCD again got a blocker just in time to divert it away from goal.

Devaney then took centre stage once more. He collected the ball inside his own half on the right-hand side, drove past four of the home side’s defenders and into the area but when it came time to shoot his effort lacked the necessary conviction and it was cleared away before the ‘keeper even had to intervene.

Bohs defenders were constantly trying to involve themselves in the effort to break the deadlock and it was Price this time whose headed effort from a wonderful Kavanagh cross forced a great save from Corbett.

As we entered the last twenty minutes, UCD must have expected another onslaught to begin but instead the men in red and black seemed to lose their initiative at a crucial moment. Just though, as it seemed that the game would peter out for a draw, UCD would have a chance to win it in injury time and Bohs would have no fewer than three as the clock ran past ninety.

In what would have been the smash and grab of the season Chris Mulhall had a glorious chance ten yards from goal but shot directly at Dean Delaney after a mix-up in the Bohs defence. Up the other end, Wearen’s pass from the right was just behind substitute Karl Moore who hooked it over the bar.

There was still time for the best chance of the half. A long punt from Price found Mulcahy whose lovely cushioned header fell right into the path of Corcoran, some Bohs fans were already celebrating, but they didn’t count on Ian Ryan, who produced a superb block just as Dinny got his shot away. Beattie, acting now as a winger, then found Wearen but his shot deflected into the wrong side of the netting.

There would be no time for the corner and Bohs will be cursing a game where they dominated but lacked a killer instinct against a determined UCD side who defended stoutly.

The Gypsies will try get back to winning ways against Drogheda at Dalymount on Friday night.

UCD: Niall Corbett; Gareth Matthews, Hugh Douglas, James Kavanagh, Ian Ryan, Tom O’Halloran (Aymen Ben Mohamed 67), Colm Crowe, Robbie Benson, Robbie Creevy, Timmy Molloy (Samir Belhout 70), Conor Cannon (Chris Mulhall 84). Subs Not Used: Conor O’Donnell (GK), Gregory Sloggett, Gary Burke, Sean Coyne.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Aidan Price, Dan Byrne,Anto Murphy (Dave Mulcahy 45+1), Patrick Kavanagh (Karl Moore 70), Roberto Lopes, Eoin Wearen, Kevin Devaney (Jason Byrne 79), Dinny Corcoran, Stephen Beattie. Subs Not Used: Jack Memery, Keith Buckley, Craig Walsh, Aaron Shanahan (GK).

Referee: Kevin O’Regan

Man of the match: Kevin Devaney.

 

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