The opening exchanges were particularly cagey, with Callaghan’s side clearly desperate to avoid conceding yet another early goal. Iraqi full back Albehadlie’s positional sense was questioned, but the 19 year old showed some real tenacity and willingness to compete, which is going to be the key to the obvious relegation battle that the Gypsies now find themselves in. The first opportunity fell to Limerick dangerman Bossekota, whose low shot was well saved by the feet of the improving Dean Delany.
Karl Moore was outstanding for Bohs down the right flank, and he linked up well with Shane Murray to set up Bohs’ first real opportunity. Murray’s lovely floated cross found debutant Murphy, but his header from 12 yards was miscued wide. There was a break in play as referee Paul Tuite was informed that Bohs full backs Michael Barker and Albehadlie were both wearing number 22. Albehadlie was given the correct no. 20, and the Jodi Stand collectively shook their heads. Perhaps the confusion was down to the fact that Bohs were bizarrely wearing white against a team in all blue. With the team in such dire form, the iconic red and black jersey is what the players should be playing for, not a generic away strip.
Moore had Shane Tracy haunted all night until he was bizarrely switched to the left side in the second half. He disposessed Tracy and fed a lovely pass through to Murphy who had almost too much time, sliding a tame cross into Barry Ryan’s hands. Derek Pender was playing in a midfield role, and he had a great opportunity from 18 yards. His shot stung Barry Ryan’s palms but no more. Limerick had the last opportunity before the half with Darragh Rainsford forcing another smart stop from Delany.
Moore jinked inside Tracy again on 63 minutes but his shot flew wide. Almost instantly, Galbraith’s long ball caught the Bohs defense at sixes and sevens, and Bossekota was suddenly through on goal. The French-born forward may have handled the ball to control it, but steadied himself to fire expertly past Delany. Just the kind of luck that Bohs didnt deserve.
Kevin Devaney, Dave Mulcahy and Dave Scully were thrown on to try and save the game for Bohs, and the increase in pressure started to yield results. Again, Moore was involved, setting up Murphy for a goalmouth scramble that was cleared at the last moment. Successive corners followed, with Scully and Mulcahy going close before an ill-advised short corner was lost by Keith Buckley, who had an abysmal game.
Bohs still had time for two great chances in stoppage time. First, Dave Scully did brilliantly to head a bouncing ball towards the bottom corner. It was all but in, but Barry Ryan somehow managed to stretch out a claw and deny Scully a first league goal of the season. With almost the last attack, Ryan saved brillantly with his feet as Derek Pender desparately tried to poke home an equaliser.
That’s 10 league games without a win for Bohs, who remain in the relegation play-off spot, 5 points ahead of Shelbourne having played a game more than their North Dublin rivals. Next up is a trip to title chasing Dundalk before a crucial game against Bray Wanderers in the Carlisle Grounds.
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Zein Albehadlie (Kevin Devaney, 63), Roberto Lopes, Michael Barker, Luke Byrne; Karl Moore, Shane Murray (Dave Scully, 70), Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Darragh Reynor Dave Mulcahy, 52); Conor Murphy. Subs not used: Greg Murray; Owen Heary, Chris Lyons, Santiago Miguel Falbo.
Limerick: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy (Shane Costelloe, 52); Stephen Bradley (David O’Leary, 63), Joe Gamble, Danny Galbraith, Craig Curran; Darragh Rainsford, Axel Bossekota. Subs not used: Shane Cusack; Brian O’Callaghan, Barry Sheedy, James McGrath, Val Feeney.
