League Report: Dundalk FC 2 - 0 Bohemians

Second half goals from substitutes Paul Doyle and Dan Kelly proved the difference as Dundalk recorded a two nil victory against Bohemians and keep their hopes of fourth place alive.

It was a meeting of two European chasing teams as Dundalk hosted Bohemians in front of a home crowd watching Dundalk play at Oriel Park for the last time this season.

With home Head Coach Stephen O’Donnell sticking with the same starting XI who defeated Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds, Bohs boss Declan Devine made a pair of changes following last weekend’s 2-0 reverse at the hands of St Patrick’s Athletic. Out went Ali Coote and Keith Buckley- who  suffered a season ending injury after 38 minutes at Dalymount Park. His replacement on the night James Clarke started at Oriel, as did ex Lilywhite Jordan Flores who had missed the Richmond Park fixture.

 The first half was a drab affair, only sparking into life in the closing ten minutes as Dundalk forced a succession of corners which ultimately left James Talbot untroubled. However, the netminder was thrust into action in the opening moments of the second half, throwing out a hand to thwart Ryan O’Kane’s thumping effort from just inside the box.

His opposite number, Welshman Shepperd, wasn’t to be outdone as former Lilywhite Dylan Connolly’s cheeky chip was clawed out and over the crossbar. The first time he was troubled since Jonathan Afolabi broke through the defence with two minutes on the clock and was denied by a combination of shins and then sprawling gloves.

With Talbot continuing to remain a relative spectator, the ever animated O’Donnell made his fourth and fifth substitutions respectively of the evening as Pat Hoban and Sam Durrant replaced Cameron Elliott and Daryl Horgan. Dundalk’s record goalscorer Hoban wasted no time in getting in on the act as his headed flick from a corner on was crashed to the net from close range by the onrushing Paul Doyle- who had replaced the unfortunate Louis Annesley after five minutes- to break the deadlock and leave home fans hopeful of that coveted fourth place.

Declan Devine’s troops never let the home side settle and almost pinched an equaliser as James Akintunde cleared the crossbar following a right wing cross, the former Derry City forward was only on the pitch a matter of moments beforehand.

However, the home side wrapped up all three points as another replacement, this time for the Lilywhites, Dan Kelly slotted a composed angled finish low beyond Talbot after being found by a clever Paul Doyle pass. The Mayoman grabbing a second goal contribution of the night.

With Shelbourne recording a 3-2 victory over UCD, Dundalk need the Reds to slip up next week away to Drogheda United to hold any hope of fourth. While Bohemians, for their part, still remain in the hunt as they are level on points with Dundalk and could clinch a European spot with victory in the FAI Cup Final.

Onto next weekend, where Bohemians host a Cork City side already condemned to the play offs while Dundalk travel to Belfield. The title race may be over but the battle for Europe continues for both Bohemians and Dundalk, though tonight’s set of results mean Shelbourne now hold the box seat for fourth. 

 Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Andrew Boyle, Louie Annesley (Paul Doyle 5), Hayden Muller; Gregory Sloggett, Senan Mullen (Connor Malley 46), Ryan O'Kane (Daniel Kelly 66), Robert Benson, Daryl Horgan (Samuel Durrant 77); Cameron Elliott (Patrick Hoban 77).

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie, Darragh Leahy, Darren Brownlie, Keith Ward.

Booked: Hayden Muller (44), Stephen O'Donnell (45), Cameron Elliott (56), Robert Benson (90).

Sent off: None.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Bartłomiej Kukułowicz, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Patrick Kirk (Oluwaseun Akintunde 82); Adam McDonnell, James Clarke (Alistair Coote 70), Jordan Flores (James McManus 63), Dylan Connolly, Jonathan Afolabi, Daniel Grant (Declan McDaid 70);

Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Cian Byrne, Louie Holzman, John O'Sullivan, Dean Williams.

Booked: Krystian Nowak (33), Kacper Radkowski (36), Bartłomiej Kukułowicz (87).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

extratime.com Player of the Match: Paul Doyle