League Report: Dundalk 3 - 2 Bohemians

Dundalk took a huge step towards lifting the Premier Division title for the first time since 1995, overcoming a very bright Bohemians side at Oriel Park on Friday evening.

The hosts trailed by two goals to one at half time and it was the introduction of super-sub David McMillan at half time that really changed the course of the game.

After a bright start and some early dominance, Dundalk took the lead on 22 minutes with a goal from a set piece. Darren Meenan’s corner was flicked on by Pat Hoban into the path of captain Andy Boyle, who directed his header past Delany in the Bohs goal.

Moments later however, the visitors regained parity when Karl Moore picked up the ball on the right wing, cut inside and launched an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Peter Cherrie’s net.

The Lilywhites then enjoyed another period of dominance and possibly should have taken the lead with a couple of half chances from set pieces, however it was the gypsies who went into the half time break ahead when on 42 minutes, Dinny Corcoran replicated the earlier brilliance of Moore, scoring an almost identical goal, guiding the ball into the top corner of the net from 20 yards and knocking the wind out of the sails of the Dundalk fans.

At half time, Stephen Kenny introduced David McMillan to the fray and what an inspired substitution it proved to be; McMillan was on the pitch only nine minutes when he drew the home side level, guiding a beautiful header past the reach of Delany from a superb Daryl Horgan cross.

Bohemians had a chance to get back into the game on the hour mark through Jason Byrne, but the veteran striker failed to convert Devaney’s well hit corner.

The game then suffered a period of disjointedness with both sides looking very cagy until McMillan settled the nerves again on 77 minutes with a fantastic drilled shot past Delany from the edge of the box following great grafting by Hoban, who forced the ‘keeper to punch instead of catch.

Dundalk then saw the game out in less than comfortable fashion, but three points is three points and with Cork only managing a draw in Athlone, it seems very likely that tonight was perhaps the most decisive in dictating where the league title will end up this season. Dundalk now lead the pack by a gap of six points which looks to be insurmountable at this stage.

3-2 it finished at Oriel Park – the Lilywhites march on!

Dundalk:Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey; Darren Meenan (Donal McDermott 67), Richie Towell, Chris Shields (Ruaidhri Higgins 73), Daryl Horgan; Kurtis Byrne (David McMillan 46), Pat Hoban.
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Mark Rossiter, John Mountney, Mark Griffin.

Booked: Donal McDermott (71)

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Aidan Price, Jack Memery (Adam Evans, 81’); Karl Moore, Craig Walsh, Eoin Wearen, Kevin Devaney; Dinny Corcoran, Jason Byrne.
Subs not used:  Aaron Shanahan (gk), Ryan McEvoy, Paddy Kavanagh, Jake Hyland, Keith Buckley, Stephen Best.

Booked: None.

Referee: Derek Tomney

Attendance: 2,614

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:  David McMillan (Dundalk)