The only SSE Airtricity Premier Division this evening threw up a massive encounter at the wrong end of the table as both Bohemians and Sligo Rovers did battle for an enormous three points. A victory that could that could potentially dictate how the remainder of the season would play out for all concerned.
A quite cagey opening finally burst into life with 20 minutes on the clock. Gypsies winger Kevin Devaney rushed out wide to try keey Shane Supples clearance in play, but inadvertently put it behind for a corner. Regan Donelon’s excellent delivery was powered home by the unchallenged Jack Keaney to give the visitors the lead.
This setback ignited a fire in the home side and finally burst into life for the remainder of the half. The lively Keith Ward saw his tremendous 30 yard strike miss the top corner by inches. Keith Buckley saw a “Benjamin Pavard” style volley, direct from a corner, brilliantly tipped over the bar by Mitchell Beeney and Oscar Brennan had a couple of deflected efforts as the Gypsies tried to suffocate their relegation rivals.
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The “Bit O’ Red” dealt a killer blow right before half time, and again, from a set piece. McCabe’s corner to the back post resulted in an almighty goal mouth scramble and as the ball dropped, David Cawley scuffed the ball towards goal which looked to go in off Dinny Corcoran on the line.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side, as just six minutes into the second half Derek Pender saw red for a wild, mistimed lunge on Regan Donelon.
The visitors didn’t take long making the man advantage count and just minutes later Cawley made it three, showing some quick feet in the box to shift the ball onto his right foot and reverse his low effort back into the near post.
Bohs thought they got one back, only for Seamus Sharkey to pull off a miraculous goal line clearance. Kevin Devaney burst through down the left wing from a quickly taken throw in and hammered the ball over Beeney, but somehow, Sharkey running back towards his own goal, managed to head over the bar on the line. The centre half was running at such speed he was unable to stop himself flying into, and ripping, the net in the process.
Keith Long will be bitterly disappointed at not just the manner of conceding the goals but the contrast in performances compared to how they’ve played since the break.
Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Darragh Leahy, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Dinny Corcoran, Keith Ward, Kevin Devaney, Oscar Brennan, Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney
Subs: Jamie Cleary, Daniel Byrne, Karl Moore, Danny Grant, Paddy Kavanagh, Ian Morris, Daniel Kelly
Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney, Regan Donelon, Seamus Sharkey, Rhys McCabe, Mikey Drennan, Lee J Lynch, Kris Twardek, Adam Wixted, Jack Keaney, John Mahon, David, Cawley
Subs: Ed McGinty, Kyle McFadden, Raffaele Cretaro, Liam Kerrigan, Darren Collis, Lewis Morrison
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
