League Report: Bohemians 3 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Three second half goals in 17 minutes from Derek Prendergast and a Dean Kelly double off the bench ensured Bohemians inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park on Friday evening.

It was Shamrock Rovers who started this Dublin derby the brightest, with Simon Madden producing two dangerous crosses from the right wing early but no teammates gambled on the bouncing ball, allowing the Gypsies clear the danger.

Spectators in Dalymount did not have long to wait for the game’s opening goal though after a dangerous free kick from the right edge of the box by Stephen McPhail was met by the head of Marty Waters. The winger’s header left Dean Delaney in the Bohs goal rooted to the spot as Rovers went 1-0 up on nine minutes.

Moments later, the Hoops had a gilt edge chance to double their lead when David Webster met a delivery from left back Luke Byrne but the centre back could not guide his free header on target.

The Gypsies’ best chances of the half arrived shortly after when Ismahil Akinade headed over from an Anto Murphy long throw.

Gary McCabe and Lorcan Fitzgerald then exchanged opportunities for each side. First McCabe fired over from 25 yards for Rovers before Fitzgerald's long range free kick sailed wide. Soon after McCabe had a second opportunity for the visitors from outside the Bohs box but the midfielder failed to trouble Delaney.

When the sides emerged from the dressing rooms after half time, it was the home side who started the brightest.

After a great delivery into the box by Keith Buckley, which was well controlled by the Akinade, the striker advanced towards goal but a heavy touch allowed Craig Hyland to race of his line and smother the opportunity.

Despite all the Bohs early pressure, it was Shamrock Rovers who had the first chance on goal in the second period. Gareth McCaffrey was sent racing through on goal but the striker’s well struck effort was saved by Delaney in the home side’s goal.

As the Gypsies continued to push for an equaliser, they thought they had found a goal with 25 minutes remaining. After a brilliant delivery from a freekick by Fitzgerald was headed towards goal by Derek Prendergast, Hyland failed to control the ball and Lopes smashed the ball into an empty net. However referee David McKeown adjudged that the Hoops keeper had been fouled as he attempted to gather possession.

Despite having a goal disallowed Keith Long's side got their reward minutes later. Prendergast rose highest in the Rovers box after Fitzgerald put the ball on a plate for the centre half whose header sailed past Hyland and the two defenders on the goal line.

Eight minutes later the comeback was complete when substitute Dean Kelly got his head onto another Fitzgerald free kick to head the Gypsies into the lead in front of 3,385 people at Dalymount Park.

Deep in injury time, as Shamrock Rovers pushed for an equaliser, it was the home side who would break again to score.

After some great play by Akinade down the left wing, he rounded an onrushing Hyland before his cross found an unmarked Kelly on the six yard line. The former Hoops forward made no mistake to score his second goal of the game and give Bohs a 3-1 Dublin derby win .

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Lorcan Fitzgerald, Roberto Lopes (c), Derek Prendergast, Anto Murphy; Karl Moore, Keith Buckley (Kealan Dillon 85), Dave Mulcahy, Jake Hyland (Dean Kelly 72), Adam Evans; Ismahil Akinade.

Subs Not Used: Lee steacy, Jason Caffrey, Robert Duggan, James O’Brien, Kealan Dillon, Adam Wixted.

Booked: Kelly (85).

Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna (Tim Clancy 46), David Webster, Luke Byrne; Marty Waters, Pat Cregg, Gary McCabe, Stephen McPhail, Brandon Miele (Ryan Brennan 81); Gareth McCaffrey (Gavin Brennan 70).

Subs Not Used: Barry Murphy, David O’Connor, Cian Kavanagh, Dylan Kavanagh.

Booked: McPhail(39), Clancy (64), Cregg (87).

Match Referee: David McKeown.

Attendance: 3,385.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:   Lorcan Fitzgerald (Bohemians).