BOHEMIANS 4 CORK CITY 2

Bohemians put one nail at least in the coffin of Cork’s title hopes with a deserved 4-2 victory at a raucous Dalymount Park.

After a long six weeks away from “The Home of Irish Football”, Bohs made it seven wis in a row for the first time in 10 years, with a Daniel Kelly double sandwiched between a Delaney own goal and Derek Pender strike.

The in-form home side looked comfortable in possession and smothered the illustrious visitors right from the off. And it was from this intense pressure they took the lead, pressing the experienced Damien Delaney in his own corner, forcing a rushed back pass straight into his own net.

The Gypsies deservedly went onto double their lead with just 22 minutes played. The hugely impressive Daniel Kelly won the ball in the middle of the park and decided to go himself blitzing past every defender in sight with his lightning pace and cooly slotted under the helpless Peter Cherrie.

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ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC U19s 1 BOHEMIANS U19s 2

Craig Sexton hailed the professionalism of the Bohemians U19s after they came from behind to win the Enda McGuill Cup at Richmond Park.

The Gypsies, champions last year but currently trailing tonight’s opponents in the Northern Division by six points, got off to the worst possible start, conceding a header from a corner after just two minutes.

Goalkeeper Seán Bohan got a touch to Neill Byrne’s effort but not enough to keep it out as hosts St Patrick’s Athletic took an early lead.

But after a below-par first-half performance, Bohs came back out after the break refocused and reenergised.

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They took the game by the scruff of the neck and took their chances when it mattered too with Ali Reghba scoring twice in quick succession on 61 and 63 minutes to turn the game on its head.

A delighted Sexton said: “They showed the togetherness of the group in how they reacted to going behind. They’re a great bunch and they pulled together to make sure we came away with the win.

“We had spoken about the ‘what ifs’ during the week, ‘what if we went one down and how do we react as a group?’

“That’s a big part of how players need to develop – learning how to win in different ways and different circumstances. They found a way to do just that tonight.

“It was a game of mixed emotions really. The first half we weren’t at it, we were poor.

“But we changed a couple of things at half-time and the second half was much better. We came out and stamped our authority on the game a bit more.

“We dominated possession at times and we looked like we were the only team who were going to win it in the second half.”

Reghba’s brace was what ultimately proved the difference between the sides and as well as his winner’s medal, he also went home with a deserved man-of-the-match award.

Sexton said: “Ali is turning into a very good player. He still has a lot to learn but he knows that himself.

“He’s only 17 so he has another year with us at this level. He’s a lot of great attributes and he’s a fantastic fella too.

“You can see that with how hard he worked tonight. His finishes were fantastic.

“He could have had a couple more too though and we’ll let him know that to keep his feet on the ground!”

In the run-up to the game, Sexton spoke of his efforts to keep the players’ minds on the job at hand with this afternoon’s draw for the UEFA Youth League an obvious potential distraction, particularly for players so young.

Sexton said: “We needed to make sure the draw for Europe didn’t take over. We’d a cup final to win.

“To be fair, they didn’t let it interfere in any way. I didn’t get any texts about the draw or anything… unless they were all talking about it themselves without me!

“But they were fantastic in the lead-up – fantastic the last 10-12 weeks too – absolutely brilliant.”

The draw sees Bohs’ budding stars pit their wits against FC Midtjylland of Denmark. The Gypsies are due to be away first on Wednesday October 3 with the return leg at Dalymount Park three weeks later on Wednesday October 24, although both games are yet to be confirmed.

The winner of the tie will play the winners of Basel (Switzerland) v Hamilton (Scotland).

Sexton added: “It’s an interesting draw. It’s will be great for the boys to experience something different.

“Obviously there would have been big interest if we’d drawn Chelsea who were in our pool but our players are used to traveling to the UK for academy games, so it’s nice to get something further afield.

“This will be more of a proper European tie for them to experience a different culture and a maybe a different style of play.

“They get to travel and experience all that goes with that. Hopefully in future years the club will be back in Europe with the first team and these players will be on the first team and this will stand to them. That’s what we’re all striving towards as a club.”[/readmore]

BOHEMIANS 5 LIMERICK 0

As close to a relegation six-pointer you can get at this stage of the season prior to kick off, an understandable and tetchy opening was to be expected as neither side wanted to give up too much, too early.

But it was the visitors who looked more assured in possession and had the better e to take the lead. The combative Conor Ellis looked a constant threat and should have put his side in front following Karl O’Sullivans trickery down the right wing. The pacey wingers cross was only half dealt with and the ball fell invitingly to the left foot of the Limerick front man who took a wild swipe with his left foot and sent the ball over the bar.

This miss was to prove costly as the home side settled into the game taking the lead just before the half hour mark. Following some smart play down the left, the always impressive Darragh Leahy, cleverly cut the ball back to Keith Ward from the end line. The creative midfielder then saw his chipped cross blocked which in turn sent the ball looping in the air. Leahy reacted quickest and headed across the face of the goal to the grateful Kevin Devaney to nod home from point blank range.

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