League Report: Bohemians 2 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic

Two goals were the difference although it could have been much more for Bohemians as Anto Murphy and Karl Moore’s efforts came either side of a red card for Jason McGuinness as St Pats’ rollercoaster season splutters towards the end.

The opening play saw Bohs have much of the ball but the Saints were asking all the questions on the counter-attack. Christy Fagan twice had goal-bound shots blocked away by defenders, while suppliers Ian Bermingham and Ger O’Brien were having great joy down wings.

However, it was all to change when a middle of the pitch freekick was given away in the fourteenth minute. Lorcan Fitzgerald swung the ball into the box although it was cleared away. The clearance fell to Eoin Wearen and the former Sligo player stroked a cross all the way to the back post, where an unmarked Anto Murphy was on hand to turn the ball home.

St Pats did try to find equalizer soon after but crosses were overhit too often as their play in the final third faltered. In the twenty-seventh minute, Bohs could have doubled their lead as Karl Moore found himself on the ball after good build-up play from Ismahil Akinade and Keith Buckley. However, his tame shot didn’t trouble Conor O’Malley in the Pats goal.

Chances were exchanged before the half-time whistle blew as Fagan nearly got on the end of the two crosses but Dave Mulcahy and then Dean Delany were there to prevent an easy goal for the former Bohs frontman.

The Gypsies should have doubled their lead in the forty-second minute as a diving Dave Mulcahy was inches away from connecting with another Fitzgerald freekick.

St Pats raced up the other end and Jamie McGrath’s clever lay-off to Conan Byrne saw the winger hit a thumping drive at goal. Delany stood up strong and batted the ball out as the first half drew to a close.

The second half started much the same with both sides trying to get on top of the play. Yet, the game swung in Bohs favour as Jason McGuinness picked up two yellow cards in the space of two minutes.

The first was for unfairly contesting with Mulcahy at a corner, which saw the Bohs player stay on the ground after an aerial battle. The freekick was hit long with Moore gaining possession in midfield. He played the ball into Akinade’s feet and the tall striker’s first touch got him past McGuinness, although the defender decided to lunge for him anyway.

The referee showed the second yellow and Pats were down to ten. Ten minutes later and they were also two-nil down as Karl Moore scored a controversial goal.

Another long kickout from Delany was knocked down by Akinade to Jake Kelly. The attacking player pushed towards the box but, upon seeing Moore’s run, layed the ball off. Moore struck a fierce shot that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and down and out. With no-one knowing what to do, the referee awarded the goal after consultation.

Bohs attempted to add to their tally with Jake Kelly and Lorcan Fitzgerald shooting straight at O’Malley while Akinade headed over in between. Pats did have chances to get back into the game themselves as Byrne and Fagan both narrowly missed the target before James Chambers curled a freekick just wide.

There was time enough for Jason Byrne to miss two gilt edged chances before the referee blew up on Bohemians’ first league win over the Saints since October 2010.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Dylan Hayes, Dave Mulcahy, Anto Murphy, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Keith Buckley (Dan Byrne 90+1mins), Roberto Lopes © (Jason Byrne 81mins), Eoin Wearen, Jake Kelly (Aaron Ashe 88mins); Karl Moore; Ismahil Akinade.

Subs not used: Kealan Dillon, Adam Evans, Robbie Creevy, Lee Steacy.

Booked: Wearen (25), Roberto Lopes (34).

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Conor O’Malley; Ger O’Brien © (Ian Morris 37mins), Jason McGuinness, Shane McEleney, Ian Bermingham; Conan Byrne, Jamie McGrath (Jack Bayly 78mins), James Chambers, Sam Verdon (Morgan Langley 68mins), Aaron Greene; Christy Fagan.

Subs not used: Michael Hannigan, Darragh Markey, Paul Rooney, Pat Jennings.

Booked: Verdon (18), Jason McGuinness (49, 52), Fagan (63), Greene (84).

Sent Off: Jason McGuinness (52).

Referee: Robert Harvey

Attendance: 2,055.

Extratime Man of the Match: Karl Moore (Bohemians).