Report: Bohemians 0 – Dundalk 1
September 15, 2012
Kevin Fagan @ Dalymount Park – Friday, September 14th 2012
Bohemians crashed out of the FAI Cup at the quarter final stage following a disappointing defeat to the Airtricity League’s bottom side Dundalk in Dalymount Park. It was a classic case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ for Bohs, who put in a surprisingly flat display following Monday night’s heroics in Tallaght.
A spectacular Mark Griffin free kick put paid to the Gysies Aviva dreams, with his curling 25 yard screamer proving the difference between the sides. Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan made just one change from the side that humbled Shamrock Rovers, with skipper Owen Heary making a surprising return to right back…
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Before the game, Aaron Callaghan praised Dundalk manager Darius Kierans for making the Lilywhites a team that were ‘hard to beat’, and the away side lived up to that billing – Liam Burns and Derek Foran were rock solid at centre back.
Following a toothless 45 minutes for Bohs, Evan McMillan was shifted up front for the second period. He offered a better outlet for the home side, but the spark just wasnt there for Bohs. Dundalk slowly started to come into the game, taking control around the hour mark. Mark Griffin looked particularly skillful and dangerous – his goal against Drogheda last month is widely regarded as the leading contender for Goal of the Season.
Griffin’s delivery from a left-sided free kick should have yielded the opener for Chris Shields, but the Dundalk captain completely missed his header. With 15 minutes to go, it was looking like a replay – unless a moment of magic was to settle matters. That moment arrived when Dave Mulcahy’s clumsy challenge felled Michael Rafter 25 yards out from Greg Murray’s goal.
Griffin stepped up, and let fly with an unstoppable right-footed effort that soared into the top corner. The travelling fans in the Des Kelly Stand went ballistic, and Bohs found themselves backed into a corner.
Callaghan threw on Andy Mulligan and John O’Connor for a hectic last ten minutes. Mulligan provided some much-needed penetration down the left flank. and with 5 minutes to go, his pullback agonizingly avoided everyone in the box as Bohs grew more and more desperate. A Keith Ward cross was headed down to Dave Mulcahy as the game entered injury time – but Mulcahy’s twisting volley clipped the top of the bar and went over. The last throw of the dice was a Ryan McEvoy corner which goalkeeper Murray went up for. Fittingly, Liam Burns headed away – and Bohs FAI Cup dreams were left in tatters.
Five league games remain for Callaghan’s young side. With a top-half finish absolutely within reach, that would be a truly admirable achievement considering the position the club were in when he took over. As for trophys, they’ll have to wait for another year to come back to the home of Irish football.
Bohemians: Greg Murray, Dave Mulcahy, Owen Heary (John O’Connor, 82), Kevin Feely, Roberto Lopes, Karl Moore (Ryan McEvoy, 69), Keith Buckley, Keith Ward, Derek Pender, Evan McMillan, Kevin Devaney (Andy Mulligan 82). Subs not used: Andy McNulty, Michael Barker, Dave Scully, Ken Carr.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Derek Foran, Liam Burns, Chris Shields, Nathan Murphy (Eoghan Osbourne, 90), Mark O’Brien, John Mountney, Stephen McDonnell, Mark Griffin, Gary Shanahan, Michael Rafter (Paul Walsh, 86).Subs not used: Chris Reilly, Lorcan Shannon, Bob McKenna, Conor McDonnell, William Woods.