FAI Cup Report: Bohemians 2 - 0 Cabinteely

Andrew Dempsey reports from Dalymount Park

Cabinteely exited the FAI Cup at the expense of a Dawson Devoy inspired Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Devoy set up the two goals as both Promise Omochere and Dinny Corcoran netted for Keith Long’s charges in the 2-0 win over Pat Devlin’s men.

The result ensures that Cabinteely’s wretched form against top-flight opposition in domestic cup competitions goes on.

Since entering the League of Ireland, the Green and Whites have lost each of their cup ties against Premier Division opponents – but they have gone close in recent years.

None more so than last season’s FAI Cup clash against Cork City – with Cabo bringing the Leesiders to a dramatic penalty shootout, where they eventually succumbed to defeat.

Bohemians on the other hand came into the clash off some European heartbreak of their own however, losing a penalty shootout against Hungarian giants MOL Fehervar.

From their European odyssey, manager Keith Long opted to ring the changes – with only JJ Lunney and Kris Twardek remaining in the starting eleven from Thursday’s agonizing defeat.

Cabinteely began the game in a 4-5-1 shape, with former Shamrock Rovers attacker Kieran Marty Waters leading the line for Devlin’s charges.

But it was Bohemians who had the first effort on goal of the game, with Promise Omochere seeing his curling effort saved by ex-Wexford keeper Corey Chambers.

The Gypsies began the game the better of the two sides, and they ought to have taken the lead through the returning Dinny Corcoran.

Corcoran was found by JJ Lunney’s great ball over the top of the Cabo defence, but the ex-St Patrick’s Athletic  man could not convert with a tame volley.

Ex- St Pat's forward Corcoran went close midway through the opening period again – but this time he was denied by a Lloyd Buckley goal-line clearance.

Lunney once again found the 31-year-old but former Athlone Town defender Buckley scrambled the ball away in the nick of time.

Bohemians continued to dominate the play and troubled Cabo’s Chambers with a spectacular header from stand-in skipper Michael Barker.

And in the 32^nd minute, the hosts pressure finally told with Promise Omochere netting his first goal of the season for Keith Long’s side.

Omochere – who had impressed early on – turned home Dawson Devoy’s cross into the box after Devoy was found by an excellent diagonal ball from James Finnerty.

The visitors reacted well however, and they nearly levelled through midfielder Alex Aspil, but James Talbot was on hand to beat away the danger.  

Despite threatening for a leveller, Cabo saw their deficit doubled five minutes from the break as Corcoran finally found the back of the net.

He was set up by Devoy’s cross, making no mistake with his finish on the stretch as Devlin’s side looked in all sorts of trouble at the break.

The visitors produced a reaction of sorts early on in the second-half, but Zak O’Neill’s weak effort could not trouble Talbot in the Bohs goal.

However, Bohs went close with a chance of their own just before the hour mark, but Omochere could not score his second of the night as he blazed his curling effort over the bar.

And on the hour mark, Cabo sub and top scorer Shane Barnes should have halved the deficit, but he could only direct his shot straight at the Bohs keeper.

Bohemians sub Glen McAuley almost added a third for the hosts, but his driven shot just skewed wide of goal as the clock began to tick on Cabo’s FAI Cup campaign.

Cabinteely pressed well and looked threatening at times going forward, but they often lacked a cutting edge in front of goal when it mattered most.

It was a much-improved second half display from Cabinteely who will be left ruing their first-half performance against a much-changed Bohemians.

The hosts had a great chance to make it three at the death, but former Liverpool trainee McAuley could not find the back of the Cabinteely net.

Next up for Cabinteely is an East Coast Derby against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds, while Bohemians face the tantalising prospect of a Dublin Derby away to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Patrick Kirk, Ciaran Kelly, James Finnerty, Michael Barker; JJ Lunney (Ross Tierney, 61), Conor Levingston, Dawson Devoy (Keith Ward, 77 ); Dinny Corcoran, Promise Omochere (Luke Wade-Slater, 77), Kris Twardek (Glen McAuley, 61).

Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Andy Lyons, Andre Wright.

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

Cabinteely: Corey Chambers; Lloyd Buckley (Luke Clucas, 52), Jonny Carlin, Conor Keeley, Paul Fox (Christian Lotefa, 65); Vilius Labutis (Shane Barnes, 52), Zak O'Neill (Dean Casey, 65), Mitchell Byrne, Alex Aspil, Keith Dalton;  Kieran Marty Waters (Jack Connolly, 65).

Subs not used: Benjamin Clark, Eoin Massey.

Booked: Paul Fox (21), Alex Aspil (55).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Robert Harvey

Attendance: 0.

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Dawson Devoy (Bohemians).