League Report: Bohemians 0-1 Dundalk

A late Ciaran Kilduff header was the difference between Bohemians and Dundalk as the Lilywhites made it five wins on the spin ahead of next week’s Champions League qualifier with Rosenberg.  

Kilduff latched onto fellow substitute Jamie McGrath’s cross to steal the points in this SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash in Dalymount Park.  

Stephen Kenny opted to make three changes from Friday’s victory at the Carlisle Grounds. Among them was the inclusion of winger Dylan Connolly, who signed from Bray Wanderers last week. John Mountney and Chris Shields were included from the start.

The hosts included teenager Warren O’Hora at centre-half once more, while Ian Morris operated at full-back, with Lorcan Fitzgerald enjoying a midfield berth. Keith Long was without on-loan Dundalk duo of Georgie Poynton and Ciaran O’Connor.

The first half was graced with few openings. On the half-hour mark Keith Ward picked Dane Massey’s pocket but despite speeding in behind, his final ball towards Corcoran lacked conviction.

The first shot of the evening was in the 34^th minute when Massey fired the ball well over the Bohemians goal.

Bohs almost hit the front on 64 minutes when Keith Ward weaved some magic on the right wing and found Corcoran at the back post but the Gypsy's striker failed to direct his header on target.  

At the other end, Ismail Akinade posed problems when he was introduced, but far too often the link between midfield and attack let the home side down.

During the final quarter-hour, Niclas Vemmelund forced a world class save from Supple in the Bohemians goal. The Dane sent Duffy’s corner toward the top corner, only for Supple to get a firm right hand to the effort.

The hosts seemed happy with a point as the clock ticked down, however, the Louth side struck in devastating fashion late on. McGrath found Kilduff with a left-footed dink, and the Dundalk striker directed his header beyond the reach of Supple to secure all three points for the visitors.

The win means Dundalk trail Cork City by nine points but City have three games in hand. Bohemians remain in seventh and face a friendly with FC United of Manchester this weekend, before travelling to Finn Harps the following weekend. 

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender (Dylan Hayes 38), Rob Cornwall, Warren O’Hora, Ian Morris; Paddy Kavanagh, Faud Sule (Ishmail Akinade 65), Phillip Gannon, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Keith Ward (Eoghan Morgan 80); Dinny Corcoran.

Subs not Used: Kian Clarke (gk), Stephen Donnelly, Kaleem Simon, Dean Casey.

Booked: Cornwall (44), Morris (67)

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey; John Mountney (Jamie McGrath 79), Chris Shields, Robbie Benson, Patrick McEleney, Dylan Connolly (Michael Duffy 64), Dave McMillian (Ciaran Kilduff 81).

Subs notused: Gabriel Sava (gk), Paddy Barrett, Sean Hoare, Thomas Stewart.

Booked: Shields (90+1)

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 2,404 (official).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Keith Ward (Bohemians).