League Report: Shelbourne 1 - 2 Bohemians

View match gallery by Paul Dolan

Rory Merriman reports from Tolka Park

A penalty and a headed goal from Gypsies captain, Jordan Flores proved decisive for Bohemians on Friday night as they clinched their fourth victory of the season in the Premier Division with a 2-1 victory over a lacklustre Shelbourne.

Delayed by five minutes, action got underway at Tolka Park at 7:50 following a protest by match officials across the League of Ireland aimed at the FAI’s league department.

Billed as an opportunity for Bohemians to remodel their 2024 league campaign, the Gypsies did exactly that, overcoming bad form and delivering a commanding performance to take home all three points in Dublin 9.

Shelbourne got off to an enterprising start, with relentless offensive pressure for the opening quarter as Bohs struggled to find their feet in the hostile fortress that is Tolka Park.

Squandered efforts from Mark Coyle and Liam Burt certainly put the visitors’ defense to the test, but contrary to form, it was Alan Reynolds' men who broke the deadlock.

Against the run of play, a hit-and-hope ball over the Shelbourne defense was chased in by Bohemians' Oluwaseun Akintunde, who stumbled to the floor following contact from Conor Kearns in the home box.

The outstretched arm of referee Paul McLaughlin and the roar of the Gypsy fans behind the goal signified one thing: a penalty for the visitors.

Captain Jordan Flores stepped up to the task and made no mistake, powerfully placing the ball in the bottom right corner past an outstretched Kearns to make it 1-0 to Bohs.

On the brink of halftime, in an excellent passage of play, Flores once again hit the target when his head met the end of a deft cross, leaping uncontested to slot a second home past Kearns.

Buoyed with confidence entering the second half, a goal-saving slide tackle from center half Aboubacar Keita kept Bohemians on top of the Shelbourne forwards as Will Jarvis and Sean Boyd's offensive prowess kept the unwavering defense on their toes.

A dangerous challenge from Dayle Rooney was the straw that broke the Bohemians' defense as the Reds were awarded a penalty early in the second half, converted by LOI player of the month, Will Jarvis.

From there, a once despondent Damian Duff sprung to life into the animated manager he is, firing up the crowd and urging his side on to find an equaliser.

Resolute, the visitors held onto their lead, steady and unwavering as the final whistle echoed around Tolka Park.

In what should have been a habitual victory on home soil for Shelbourne, Bohs took home with them all three points in what can only be described as a perfect night for Alan Reynolds’ men and the traveling support.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Shelbourne FC: Conor Kearns GK; Sean Gannon; Tyreke Wilson; Johnathan Lunney (Jad Hakik 90); Mark Coyle (C)(John O’Sullivan 65); Sean Boyd; John Martin (Dean Williams 76); Gavin Molloy; Patrick Barret (Shane Farrell 74); William Jarvis; Liam Burt

Subs:; Jad Hakiki; John O’Sullivan; Shane Farrell; Keith Ward; Dean Williams;

Subs not used: Lorcan Healy; Kameron Ledwidge; Shane Griffin; Evan Caffrey

Booked: Patrick Barret (64)

Bohemians FC: Kacper Chorazka GK; Patrick Kirk; Aboubacar Keita; Jordan Flores; Declan McDaid (Dylan Connelly 70); Dayle Rooney; Oluwaseun Akintunde (Daniel Grant 83); James Clarke; Adam McDonnell; Jevon Mills; Luke Matheson

Subs: Dylan Connelly; Daniel Grant

Subs not used: James Talbot; James McManus; Brian McManus; Martin Miller; Sten Reinkort; Cian Byrne; Michael Lilander

Booked: Jevon Mills (25); Declan McDaid (44); James Clarke(54); Jordan Flores (79)

Attendance: 4,855

Extra-time Man of the Match: Jordan Flores (Bohemians)