Shamrock Rovers 1 - 1 Bohemians

Ryan McEvoy snatched a late, late equaliser to give Bohemians a share of the points against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

The opening stages of the latest edition of this Dublin derby were characteristically tense with Bohemians perhaps commanding the better part of the first fifteen minutes. But no real chances were created until the fourteenth minute when A Ryan McEvoy corner found Dave Mulcahy unmarked at the back post. His header was blocked and Derek Pender followed up with a volley that flashed across goal and wide.

Moments later Rovers should have taken the lead when Billy Dennehy delivered an accurate cross from the left that Ciaran Kilduff hit weakly into Dean Delaney’s arms. But the home side were beginning to find their rhythm and Thomas Stewart fired over before glancing Dennehy cross wide of the back post just a few minutes later.

Bohemians retaliated within seconds, releasing Andy Mulligan through the inside left channel only for the winger’s low shot to pass beyond Barry Murphy’s left hand post for a goal kick. 

But it was Rovers who were applying the more effective pressure and they came close to breaking the deadlock on 38 minutes when Kilduff met a corner from Dennehy with a close range header but Dean Delany produced a fine reaction save, tipping the ball onto his crossbar and over.

Rovers were also the first to threaten in the second half when Ryan McEvoy directed a clearance straight to Ronan Finn who had the time and space to tee himself up for a 25 yard shot that whistled just over the Bohemians bar.

Moments later Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan was appealing for a penalty when Dave Scully’s shot appeared to com back off the arm of David Elebert. Referee Neil Doyle was impressed with the claim but it signaled a period of pressure from the visitors that saw Scully’s header frantically scrambled away after a brace of well hit corners. 

Both teams made changes with Rovers replacing Billy Dennehy with Sean O’Connor and Derek Foran being forced off after a late challenge by Scully, Ken Oman being sent on in his place. Bohemians added Michael Barker and Karl Moore to the mix as they sought to hold the line against increasing pressure from the Hoops.

Their resistance was finally broken eight minutes from time when Thomas Stewart’s cross from the left appeared to be cradled by the arm of Andy Mulligan at the back post, though replays later showed the contact to be with Mulligan’s face. Ronan Finn stepped forward to drill home the penalty regardless.

That appeared to be that but in Bohemians continued to hunt for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded in added time when a long throw from Luke Byrne was steered home by Ryan McEvoy to the delight of the travelling fans.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Conor McCormack, Derek Foran (Ken Oman 68), Jason McGuinness, David Elebert; Gary McCabe (Karl Sheppard 79), Ronan Finn, Shane Robinson, Billy Dennehy (Sean O’Connor 59); Thomas Stewart, Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Alan Kehoe, Stephen Rice, James Chambers. 

Booked: Foran (39), Finn (54).

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne, Ciaran Nangle (Michael Scott 87); Kevin Devaney (Michael Barker 67), Ryan McEvoy, Keith Buckley, Andy Mulligan; Shane Murray (Karl Moore 67); Dave Scully.
Subs not used: Greg Murray, Kevin O’Leary, Shane Fitzgerald, Dwayne Wilson.

Booked: Mulcahy (33), Scully (64).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 3,800 (estimate).

Extratime Man of the Match: Dave Scully (Bohemians).