Report: St Patricks Athletic 0 - 1 Bohemians
Credit:
Bohemians pulled off a shock win at Richmond Park on Friday night as they beat local rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0.
It was a bitter battle between Ireland’s top two sides and it took one goal from Killian Brennan in the 51st minute to separate them. Glen Crowe got the better of Stephen Brennan and sent a low ball across a box which found Brennan who had the easy task of tapping the ball into the back of the net in front of the away fans. The goal came against the run of play, Pat’s had the best of the possession throughout the game, but Bohemians were tough and resilient and even though the found it hard to hold on to the ball they still had the better of the chances.
In fact Pat’s hardly troubled Brian Murphy in the Bohemians goal, the one major chance that John McDonnell’s side had was when Jamie Harris connected with Keith Fahey’s free kick, but his header went just wide of the post.
Bohemians had a great chance to double their lead when Neale Fenn was put through one on one with Barry Ryan in the 71st minute. Ryan saved excellently from Fenn first shot, but as the ball spilled loose Fenn picked it up again, but the on form striker smashed his rebound wide from five yards. Pat’s had decided it was time to go all out and they sent on Glen Fitzpatrick and Joseph Ndo. The Cameroon international was making his come back from injury and the Saints fans will be delighted to see him back. Ndo had glimpses of his excellent passing and vision, but even though he had great help from Ryan Guy and Keith Fahey they just couldn’t find a goal.
The result sends the Gypsies one point clear at the top of the league and it promises to be the closest battle at the top of the league for years. John McDonnell said that Brian Kerr’s absence at the club wouldn’t effect the teams performance, by looking at tonight’s display Pat’s have to be careful that they bounce back straight away from this defeat and don’t let it effect them too much.
The night belongs to Bohemians and this is a great result for them, Pat Fenlon and his players are the toast of Dublin City, if only for a few days.
St Patrick's Athletic: Barry Ryan; Stephen Brennan, Damien Lynch, Jamie Harris, Dessie Byrne; Alan Kirby (Joseph Ndo 59), Gary Dempsey, Keith Fahey (Bobby Ryan 89), Ryan Guy; Mark Quigley (Glen Fitzpatrick 59), Gary O'Neill.
Subs not used: Brendan Clarke, Stephen Paisley.
Bohemians: Brian Murphy; Mark Rossiter, Owen Heary, Ken Oman, Liam Burns; Glenn Cronin, Stephen O'Donnell, Killian Brennan, Jason Byrne (Chris Turner 89), Neale Fenn (John Paul Kelly 86), Glen Crowe (Darren Mansaram 80).
Subs not used: Chris Konopka, Jason McGuinness.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
Attendance: 2,580
Man of the Match: Owen Heary (Bohemians) - Was strong in the tackle and brave in the air, stood up to every single Pat’s attack.
