DALYMOUNT DESPAIR CONTINUES – DROGS DUMP BOHS OUT

BOHEMIANS 0 – 3 DROGHEDA UNITED

Outclassed, outfought and out of the FAI Cup – Bohemians are a team flirting dangerously close to a crisis.  Three unanswered goals from visitors Drogheda United saw the Gypsies limp out of the cup at the first time of asking in front of a disappointingly small crowd at Dalymount Park.

Aaron Callaghan’s men were without the suspended Dave Scully and worryingly enough really struggled without the big front man.  Chris Lyons was deployed as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation that struggled to create chances and rarely got in behind the Drogheda defence, writes KEVIN FAGAN.

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Bohs have had the unhealthy habit of conceding early goals this season, and tonight the trend continued.  A Jason Marks corner was knocked down to right back Stephen Quigley who unleashed a powerful half-volleyed shot from the edge of the area.  Not for the first time this season, Dean Delany will be disappointed with his role, as the ball seemed to go right through his out stretched arms.  On the bench – Greg Murray watches and waits.

Bohs only real spell of dominance came during the middle of the first half.  First, a Ryan McEvoy swirling cross slipped through Gabriel Sava’s hands and hit the post. Then, Bohs only clear cut chances were created. Unfortunately for the home side, they fell to the less prolific Keith Buckley.   He created the first for himself, jinking inside and floating a shot too close to Sava. The second chance was the key one. Good work from Lyons down the left led to Buckley in acres of space, 14 yards out in the centre of the goal. His right-footed shot was somewhat scuffed, and bobbled off the post. It was a stroke of luck that has summed up Bohs last few performances at Dalymount Park.

Drogheda’s second goal came from a simple move down the left. Michael Barker was tortured by Jason Marks all night, and the left winger’s 38th minute cross found Declan O’Brien in acres of space in the six yard box. A striker of Fabio’s quality doesn’t need to be asked twice, and his header doubled the Drogs’ lead. The half-time whistle was greeted with a kind of glum silence.

Fair play to Bohs, they tried to gee themselves up in the second period. Buckley was especially busy, buzzing around the midfield areas. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any real cutting edge. The watching Pat Fenlon would have been puzzled to see the strike force that ended the game. Kevin O’Leary and Adam Kelly are not household names, but their inclusion in such an important game underlines the standard of Bohs squad at the moment.

Drogheda’s third goal fully killed the game. After Bohs failed to properly clear their lines, Philip Hand unleashed a powerful shot from a truly outrageous angle. Delany will again be disappointed to be beaten at his near post, but the finish was very good.

Bohs return to league action next week with a daunting trip to Sligo before a crunch relegation clash against Shelbourne.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne, Andy Mulligan (Karl Moore, 75), Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Michael Barker, Dwayne Wilson (Kevin O’Leary, 46), Chris Lyons (Adam Kelly, 70). Subs not used: Greg Murray, Stephen Traynor, Michael Scott, Darragh Reynor.

Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava, Stephen Quigley, Paul O’Conor, Alan McNally, Cathal Brady, Ryan Brennan (Michael Daly, 86), Peter Hynes, Shane Grimes, Jason Marks (Philip Hand, 58), Alan Byrne, Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien (David Cassidy, 64). Subs not used: Michael Schlingermann, Gary O’Neill, Brian Gannon, Dean Gaynor.

Bohs Man of the Match: Luke Byrne

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