League Report: St Patrick's Athletic 3 - 0 Bohemians

St Patrick’s Athletic grabbed the bragging rights in the opening Dublin derby at Richmond Park. First-half goal from Mark Timlin and Christy Fagan, along with a late header from Billy Dennehy saw the Saints attain their first home victory of the season.

The first Dublin derby began at a frantic pace with both side’s exchanging early opportunities inside the opening minutes. First Mark Quigley lobbed cross was easily gathered by Brendan Clarke before Ian Bermingham raced down the flank, driving his effort into the visitors’ side netting.

With less than five minutes on the clock, the Saints took an early lead through Mark Timlin. A knockdown from Billy Dennehy found Bermingham whose cross was headed home by Timlin from inside the small rectangle.

Minutes later, Bohs had an opportunity to test Clarke in the host goal when Quigley disposed Keith Tracey, however, his shot failed to trouble the Pats shot-stopper. As the Gypsies continued to look for a way back into the game, Roberto Lopes was next to try his look from a headed effort, but he failed to trouble Clarke who easily gathered the looping headed effort.

With less than fifteen minutes played, St Pats doubled their advantage when Christy Fagan headed home a cross from Bermingham from close range to grab his third goal in as many games. Soon after the Saints should have extended their lead. Fagan raced onto a great pass from Billy Dennehy, however, Delaney stood up tall to deny the forward a second goal.

Bohs shooting into Shed end in front of their faithful fan base continued to struggle to create clear cut opportunities, however, Kurtis Byrne the hero from Friday’s win against Sligo had his side’s best chance of the half when he struck from outside the penalty area from a Paddy Kavanagh cross. His effort forced a good low save from Clarke.

Despite the Saints controlling possession for the majority of the opening period, neither Liam Buckley’s men nor the opposition could test either keeper in the final twenty minutes with both Graham Kelly and Quigley firing wide for their respective sides.

When the side’s emerged from the break it was Bohs, who began brightest with Ismahil Akinade causing problems up top for the Gypsies.

Minutes after the restart, Bohs had a shout for a penalty after Eoin Wearen played a one-two with Akinade before going down while attempting to race onto a through ball, however referee Padraig Sutton waved play on.

As the game began to open up, Bohs were almost caught on the break by Fagan after the visitors broke before playing the ball back towards their own goal and the forward attempted to nip in and seize possession, however, Delaney was quick off his line to deny the forward who was chasing a hat-trick.

With 20 minutes played in the second-half, Bohs task was made a lot harder after Akinade was dismissed for a second bookable offence for a late foul on Fagan just inside the Bohs half.

After Akindele's dismissal, the Saints had two great opportunities to extend their advantage, David Cawley flashed a dangerous ball across the box before Keith Tracey forced a save from Delany with a dangerous free-kick.

With chances for Bohs being limited, Darren Dennehy was forced to block a shot from Kurtis Byrne before the Saints broke from deep and a cross from Billy Dennehy almost found Fagan at the front post, but the defender nipped the ball off Fagan’s toe.

From the resulting corner, Cawley found himself free at the back post, but the centre midfielder failed to control possession and the ball ran away for a throw in.

As Injury-time approached, Pats grabbed a third thanks to Billy Dennehy, who latched on to a Conan Byrne cross to head home from close range.

Things almost got better for the Saints on full-time after they counter attacked from inside their own half, however, Lopes nipped possession off Billy Dennehy as he was about to let fly as the game ended with a comfortable win for Liam Buckley’s men.

St Patrick’s Athletic FC: Brendan Clarke (GK): Ger O’Brien, Darren Dennehy, Shane McEleney, Ian Bermingham: Mark Timlin (Conan Byrne 79), Keith Tracey (Sam Verdon 75), David Cawley, Graham Kelly, Billy Dennehy: Christy Fagan

Subs Not Used: Patrick Jennings (GK), Jason McGuinness, Darragh Markey, Dinny Corcoran, Dylan McGlade,

Booking: Cawley (81), Dennehy (90+3)

Red Cards: None.

Bohemians FC: Dean Delaney (GK): Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Derek Prendergast (Ayman Ben Mohamed 75), Stephen Best: Paddy Kavanagh, Eoin Wearen, Keith Buckley, Kurtis Byrne: Mark Quigley (Jake Kelly 75), Ismahil Akinade

Subs Not Used: Lee Steacy (GK), Daniel Byrne, David Mulcahy, Adam Evans, Dylan Hayes

Yellow Cards: Akinade (14, 66), Kavanagh (34), Wearen (90+1)

Red Cards: Akinade (66)

Referee: Padraig Sutton

Attendance:  1,718

Extratime Man of the Match: Christy Fagan (St Patrick's Athletic) 

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