League Report: Bohemians 1 - 1 St Pat's

Bohemians and Saint Patricks Athletic played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at Dalymount Park on Friday night. Mark Quigley's early goal was cancelled out by a stunning strike from Eoin Wearen.

After starting slowly Bohemians created their first chance in the fifth minute. Kevin Devaney skillfully made his way into the visitor's penalty area and played it back to Paddy Kavanagh who was unmarked. Kavanagh got his shot away but it was too high.

However Bohs were undone by a bit of quality form the defending champions in the 11th minute. Conan Byrne played a one-two with Lee Lynch who had just come on for the injured Conor McCormack. Byrne crossed from the right and picked out Mark Quigley who finished coolly to the net from inside the six yard box.

The visitors could have doubled their lead midway through the half. Byrne picked out Quigley again with an excellent cross to the back post but this time the Pats striker headed straight at Dean Delany.

Bohemians got back into the game on the half hour mark with a brilliant equalizer. A neat passing movement involving Roberto Lopes and Steven Beattie ended with Eoin Wearen letting fly with his left foot from about 25 yards out and the midfielder's shot went into the corner of the net. Brendan Clarke could only look on in admiration at what was one of the best goals that you are likely to see this season.

Bohs had a chance to take the lead on the stroke of half time. Paddy Kavanagh's corner from the right picked out Anto Murphy who had a free header in the area about 12 yards out. It was on target but straight at Clarke.

Dinny Corcoran should have put his side ahead at the start of the second half. After Pats failed to deal with a long ball Corcoran played a one-two with Kevin Devaney before being played in by his team mate. Corcoran was one on one with Clarke and looked certain to score but shot over from six yards out.

Devaney was involved again in the 50th minute for the Gypsies who were the better team in the early stages of the second half. The Bohs winger got the better of Lorcan Fitzgerald before cutting in to shoot on his left foot but the ball went across the goal and wide.

In the 11th minute of the second half Saint Patricks Athletic did manage to create an opportunity. James Chambers played a one-two with Chris Forrester before crossing for Mark Quigley. Quigley had time and space to shoot but his effort was well off target and he held his head in his hands in disappointment at that effort.

Liam Buckley's team had an even better chance to win it 14 minutes from the end of normal time. Lee Lynch and Ger O'Brien combined on the right before the Pats captain played in Conan Byrne. Byrne gathered possession just outside the six yard box but his right foot shot ended up just the wrong side of the post though.

Owen Heary's side had a chance of their own to take all three points a couple of minutes from the end of normal time. A fine passing movement began when Daniel Byrne played it to Craig Walsh. Walsh picked out Kavanagh who set up Eoin Wearen with a shooting opportunity. Wearen's shot was on target but was brilliantly blocked by Brendan Clarke which meant that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Bohemians; Dean Delany; Anto Murphy, Daniel Byrne, Aidan Price, Derek Pender (c); Roberto Lopes, Eoin Wearen; Kevin Devaney (Craig Walsh 79), Steven Beattie, Paddy Kavanagh; Dinny Corcoran (Jason Byrne 83).
Subs not used; Jack Memery, Dave Mulchay, Karl Moore, Keith Buckley, Gavin Moore.

Booked: None.

Saint Patrick's Athletic; Brendan Clarke; Ger O' Brien (c), Ken Oman, Kenny Browne, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Greg Bolger; Conan Byrne, Conor McCormack (Lee Lynch 9), James Chambers, Chris Forrester (Christy Fagan 68); Mark Quigley.
Subs not used; Rene Gilmartin, Ian Bermingham, Derek Foran, Sam Verdon, Daryl Kavanagh.

Booked: Chris Forrester (24), Ger O' Brien (65),

Referee; Derek Tomney.

Attendance; 1,590.

Extratime.ie Man of the match; Conan Byrne (Saint Patricks Athletic).