Leinster Senior Cup Report: Bohemians 4 - 3 Dundalk

A second-half hat trick from former Dundalk star Kurtis Byrne ensured Bohemians progressed to the semi-finals of the 2016 Leinster Senior Cup at Dalymount on Monday evening. 

In front of a vocal home crowd, Bohs started the brighter of the two sides and Byrne almost opened the scoring on six minutes, but the forward failed to get an outstretched toe to Jake Kelly’s cross.

Less than 30 seconds later, the host had another great opportunity to take the lead but Kelly’s effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Gabriel Sava in the visiting goal.

Despite two great chances, the hosts found themselves behind soon after when Michael O’Connor latched onto a lovely through ball, before dispatching low past the onrushing Lee Steacy.

As the visitors began to grow into the game, Robbie Benson was allowed to waltz through the Bohs defence, but the ex-UCD player failed to find the target from the edge of the box.

Moments later, Benson was again involved when he was dispossessed by Byrne before the former Dundalk man’s cross found Keith Buckley who could only blaze over from the edge of the box.

With half an hour on the clock, the hosts grabbed an equaliser when Anton Reilly failed to clear possession inside the Dundalk box and Anto Murphy nipped in to rob possession from the defender before coolly dispatching a curling effort past Sava.

As first-half stoppage time fast approached, Dundalk had two brilliant opportunities to take the lead heading into the break. First a last ditch challenge from Dave Mulcahey denied Benson on the edge of the box before Shane Grimes’ low cross from the left wing caused confusion inside the Bohs penalty area. However neither Ciaran O’Connor nor Michael O’Connor could connect with the delivery.

When the side’s emerged from the break, Dundalk had the half’s first chance through Paddy Barrett, but the defender's header was easily gathered by Steacy.

With 20 minutes remaining the hosts took the lead for the first time when Byrne raced onto a ball over the top before his sublime effort sailed over the head of Sava who was standing ten yards off his goal-line.

Less than five minutes later the visitors equalised when Michael O’Connor found himself in space outside the penalty area and his lovely looping effort caught Steacy flat footed before sailing into the top corner.

As the clock continued to wind down Mulcahy thought he’d given the Gypsies the lead for the second time but his headed attempt from a Lorcan Fitzgerald corner was cleared off the goal line.

However, the home crowd didn’t have to wait long for their sides third goal as less than 90 seconds later Byrne popped up again with a beautiful free-kick from 25 yards that sailed over the wall and into the top corner despite the best efforts of Sava.

Moments later, Byrne was at it again from a dead ball situation, this time Sava produced an excellent save to deny the 25 year old a hat-trick against his former club.

With just two minutes remaining, however, the forward did complete his hat-trick with another mesmerising finish after his looping effort caught Sava off his line for the second time.

Despite the holders trailing by two goals Jordan Kelly ensured the 297 fans in attendance were treated to an enthralling climax when he headed home from close range as we headed into additional time. However, it turned out not to be for Stephen Kenny’s side as they excited the Leinster Senior Cup for 2016.

Bohemians FC: Lee Steacy; Stephen Best (Lorcan Fitzgerald 60), Anto Murphy, Dylan Hayes, Paul Rooney; Jake Kelly, Keith Buckley (Paddy Kavanagh 72), Dave Mulcahy, James Kavanagh; Kurtis Byrne, Adam Evans

Subs Not Used: Luca Gratzer, Roberto Lopes, Derek Prendergast, Dan Byrne, Patrick Kavanagh, Ayman Ben Mohamed

Booked: Dave Mulcahy (19).

Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; Jake O’Connor, Anton Reilly (Carlton Ubaezuono  53), Shane Grimes, Keith Dalton (Jordan Kelly 87); George Poynton, Chris Shield ,Robbie Benson, Paddy Barrett,; Ciaran O’Connor, Michael O’Connor

Subs Not Used: B Emmet Hughes, Eric Whelan, James Rice, Gareth Craven, Jordan Kelly,

Booked: Michael O’Connor (36). Jake O’Connor (66), George Poynton (80), Carlton Ubaezuono (83)

Referee: Michael O’Connor

Attendance: 297

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kurtis Byrne (Bohemians FC)

See pictures from the games as taken by Eddie Lennon, Tom Beary and Eoin Smith here.