Bohemians - 2009 League Champions
Credit:
Bohemians officially sealed their eleventh League of Ireland title after they drew 1-1 with Bray Wanderers and gained the point that guaranteed the 2009 Premier Division honours . Former Seagull Jason Byrne put Bohs ahead before debutant Alejandro Reyes levelled for the hosts.
Conor Powell had the first chance for the champions in the ninth minute. Killian Brennan fed him the ball and the left-back shot from 35-yards. His effort left Brian Kane looking worried in the Bray goal but it sailed wide of the far post.
In the 29th minute, a long ball by Bray landed in the box for Paul Byrne. He somehow pulled the ball away from the Bohs defenders but his final shot was blocked by Brian Shelley inside the box.
Five minutes later, a cross from the right by Killian Brennan found Paddy Madden in the box and the youngster hit the ball first time. His side-footed half-volley had plenty of power but no direction and it flew over the Bray crossbar.
In the 38th minute, Bray had a close chance themselves. Brian Kane's long ball was flicked on by Dane Massey for Dave O'Neill. O'Neill controlled on the edge of the box before trying to lob Brian Murphy. His effort went over the Bohs keeper but also sailed over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Massey was involved once more. This time Ian Tuohy's cross from the right landed in between two Bohemians defenders where Massey dove in to head the ball. However, he couldn't direct it and his effort failed to trouble Murphy.
About fifteen minutes into the second half, the game was delayed for a period of five minutes for currently unspecified reasons.
Once the match resumed, it was the Gypsies who took the lead in comical fashion on 65 minutes. A long ball forward by the visitors caused confusion in the Wanderers defence. Alejandro Reyes opted not to attack the ball and then Brian Kane rushed off the line to head it but he missed it. Kane and Reyes then collided and Jason Byrne was able to shoot from the edge of the area into an empty net.
Bohs only held the lead for five minutes as Bray equalised in the 70th minute with Alejandro Reyes making up for his role in the Bohs goal. A Gareth Coughlan corner wasn't cleared properly by the Gypsies defence. The ball eventually dropped for Reyes outside the box and he volleyed past Brian Murphy for a goal on his league debut.
Bohemians forced Brian Kane into a fine double save in the 79th minute when Brian Shelley and Paul Keegan had chances. Killian Brennan's corner from the rght was met by Shelley eight-yards out and his downward header was pushed out by Kane. The ball fell to Keegan two- yards out and he fired at goal but Kane got down again and denied a Bohs winner.
Bohemians gained the point they needed to secure the title, although in the end it didn't matter as Shamrock Rovers lost to St. Patrick's Athletic. Bray Wanderers season has ended on a high with a point against the champions and the news that, if Derry City are demoted by the FAI in Saturday's meeting, relegation can still be avoided.
Bray Wanderers (4-5-1): Brian Kane; Derek Pender, Alejandro Reyes, Dave Mulcahy, Gary Cronin (Phillip Knight, 82); Gareth Coughlan, Dave O'Neill, Ian Tuohy, Stephen Brennan, Dane Massey; Paul Byrne (John Mulroy, 72).
Subs not used: Chris Deans, Shane O'Neill, Chris O'Connor.
Bookings: Ian Tuohy (28).
Bohemians (4-4-2): Brian Murphy; Glen Cronin, Gary Deegan, Brian Shelley (Owen Heary, 82), Conor Powell; Anto Murphy, Paul Keegan, Joseph Ndo, Killian Brennan (Mark Rossiter, 82); Jason Byrne, Paddy Madden (Glen Crowe, 68).
Subs not used: Neale Fenn, Matt Gregg.
Bookings: None.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Killian Brennan (Bohemians) - not a stand-out player but one of the best out there tonight.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 3500 (estimate).
Conor Powell had the first chance for the champions in the ninth minute. Killian Brennan fed him the ball and the left-back shot from 35-yards. His effort left Brian Kane looking worried in the Bray goal but it sailed wide of the far post.
In the 29th minute, a long ball by Bray landed in the box for Paul Byrne. He somehow pulled the ball away from the Bohs defenders but his final shot was blocked by Brian Shelley inside the box.
Five minutes later, a cross from the right by Killian Brennan found Paddy Madden in the box and the youngster hit the ball first time. His side-footed half-volley had plenty of power but no direction and it flew over the Bray crossbar.
In the 38th minute, Bray had a close chance themselves. Brian Kane's long ball was flicked on by Dane Massey for Dave O'Neill. O'Neill controlled on the edge of the box before trying to lob Brian Murphy. His effort went over the Bohs keeper but also sailed over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Massey was involved once more. This time Ian Tuohy's cross from the right landed in between two Bohemians defenders where Massey dove in to head the ball. However, he couldn't direct it and his effort failed to trouble Murphy.
About fifteen minutes into the second half, the game was delayed for a period of five minutes for currently unspecified reasons.
Once the match resumed, it was the Gypsies who took the lead in comical fashion on 65 minutes. A long ball forward by the visitors caused confusion in the Wanderers defence. Alejandro Reyes opted not to attack the ball and then Brian Kane rushed off the line to head it but he missed it. Kane and Reyes then collided and Jason Byrne was able to shoot from the edge of the area into an empty net.
Bohs only held the lead for five minutes as Bray equalised in the 70th minute with Alejandro Reyes making up for his role in the Bohs goal. A Gareth Coughlan corner wasn't cleared properly by the Gypsies defence. The ball eventually dropped for Reyes outside the box and he volleyed past Brian Murphy for a goal on his league debut.
Bohemians forced Brian Kane into a fine double save in the 79th minute when Brian Shelley and Paul Keegan had chances. Killian Brennan's corner from the rght was met by Shelley eight-yards out and his downward header was pushed out by Kane. The ball fell to Keegan two- yards out and he fired at goal but Kane got down again and denied a Bohs winner.
Bohemians gained the point they needed to secure the title, although in the end it didn't matter as Shamrock Rovers lost to St. Patrick's Athletic. Bray Wanderers season has ended on a high with a point against the champions and the news that, if Derry City are demoted by the FAI in Saturday's meeting, relegation can still be avoided.
Bray Wanderers (4-5-1): Brian Kane; Derek Pender, Alejandro Reyes, Dave Mulcahy, Gary Cronin (Phillip Knight, 82); Gareth Coughlan, Dave O'Neill, Ian Tuohy, Stephen Brennan, Dane Massey; Paul Byrne (John Mulroy, 72).
Subs not used: Chris Deans, Shane O'Neill, Chris O'Connor.
Bookings: Ian Tuohy (28).
Bohemians (4-4-2): Brian Murphy; Glen Cronin, Gary Deegan, Brian Shelley (Owen Heary, 82), Conor Powell; Anto Murphy, Paul Keegan, Joseph Ndo, Killian Brennan (Mark Rossiter, 82); Jason Byrne, Paddy Madden (Glen Crowe, 68).
Subs not used: Neale Fenn, Matt Gregg.
Bookings: None.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Killian Brennan (Bohemians) - not a stand-out player but one of the best out there tonight.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 3500 (estimate).
About Finbarr O'Sullivan
Currently working in Brazil, Finbarr will be giving his take on Brazilian football in his regular Extratime.ie column. Finbarr peviously studied in Spain and worked in the Czech Republic and had regular column pieces on … View Full Profile