Bohemians 1 - 1 Shelbourne

A late Jason McGuinness own goal denied Bohemians victory against Dublin rivals Shelbourne at a windswept Dalymount Park.

A Glenn Cronin strike shortly after the interval looked to have won the game for Bohs, but McGuinness turned a Dave McGill cross into his own net with just four minutes remaining to earn Shelbourne a share of the spoils. The goal was no less than Shelbourne deserved on a night when the first division side held their own against their Premier League opponents. The game was both sides final pre-season friendly ahead of next week’s opening round of league fixtures.

New Gypsies manager Pat Fenlon named a strong side to face his former club. Shelbourne’s former star striker Jason Byrne made his first appearance in Bohs colours, partnering Neale Fenn in attack, while other close season signings Ken Oman and Glenn Cronin also started. Killian Brennan missed out through injury, while Glen Crowe and club captain Kevin Hunt had to make do with a place on the bench.

Shelbourne boss Dermot Keely named no less than seven of his recent signings in the Shels starting line-up, including James Keddy, David Freeman and Damien Brennan. Former Bohs midfielder Mark O’Brien lined out in midfield.

The first real chance of the game fell to the home side after 11 minutes. Neale Fenn’s half-volley over the top of the Shels defence sent debut-man Byrne clean through on goal. One on one with goalkeeper Dean Delany, Byrne fired straight at the goalkeeper’s legs, much to the delight of the 100 or so away fans located behind the goal.

Bohs went close again eight minutes later when Fenn, rejuvenated in pre-season, again linked up well with his strike partner. The ex-Cork City man delivered a measured pass into the path of Byrne in the six yard box, but Shels captain Damien Brennan nipped in first to nick the ball away.

As the first half progressed Bohs continued to dominate, with John Paul Kelly and Conor Powell looking lively on the left. However, the Shels defence, which had only conceded one goal in their five previous pre-season games, stood firm.

On the stroke of half-time, the away side, who had offered little in attack for much of the first half, almost grabbed a surprise opener. The ball broke to Anthony Flood around 25 yards out on the right hand side. His floated cross was caught by the gusting wind and looked to be drifting over the head of Murphy in the Bohs goal, but the former Waterford stopper managed to tip the ball onto the underside of the crossbar and away to safety.

Fenlon introduced Hunt after the break and the Bohs captain was quick to make his mark, picking up a yellow card for a slack challenge in the middle of the park, having only been on the pitch for two minutes.

With the wind at their backs, the home side continued to dominate and with just ten minutes of the second half gone they grabbed a deserved lead. Following some poor defending by the Shelbourne defence, the ball found its way to Cronin who was unmarked just inside the 18-yard box and the midfielder coolly side-footed the ball past Delaney and into the right hand corner of the net from 14 yards.

It was almost two just after the hour mark. Fenn chipped the ball out to Cronin on the right and his driven cross looked destined to find the head of Byrne inside the six yard box, but Robbie Hedderman nipped in to head the ball wide of the post. Bohs continued to drive forward and were denied a penalty on 64 minutes when Heary went down in the box under the challenge of Hedderman. The referee waved the claims of the Bohs players away.

The game soon descended into a midfield battle as both sides struggled with the difficult conditions. Substitute Harpal Singh fired narrowly over with a long range free-kick for the home side, while a long punt up field from Bohs replacement ‘keeper Chris Konopka bounced over the heads of the Shels defence and dipped just inches over Delaney’s cross bar.

With just four minutes left on the clock, Shelbourne grabbed a rather fortunate equaliser. Philly Hughes set McGill free down the right hand side and his sweeping cross was sliced into the net by the unfortunate McGuinness. Bohs looked to hit back straight away. Singh’s flighted free kick caused mayhem in the Shels box, but the men from Tolka Park managed to scramble the ball clear after first Mansaram and then Crowe had fluffed their lines.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy (Chris Konopka 55); Owen Heary, Ken Oman, Jason McGuinness, Conor Powell (Stephen O’Donnell 55); Mark Rossiter (Kevin Hunt 46), Glenn Cronin, Chris Turner (Harpal Singh 66), John Paul Kelly; Jason Byrne (Glen Crowe 66), Neale Fenn (Darren Mansaram 66).
Subs not used: McGinlay.

Bookings: Hunt (48).

Shelbourne: Dean Delany (John McGuinness 70); Dean Lawrence, Alan Keely (Kevin Cornwall 70), Damien Brennan (Mark Rutherford 46), Robbie Hedderman; James Chambers (Alan Byrne 46), David McGill, Mark O’Brien, James Keddy (Alan Mulcahy 46); Anto Flood (Philly Hughes 46), David Freeman (Max Cream 76).
Subs not used: None.

Referee: Declan Hanney.