Bohemians XI 4-3 PFAI XI

Bohemians XI  4 - 3  PFAI XI

New Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan admitted that he has been speaking to a couple of the PFAI players in recent weeks, but it was the Bohemians XI who trumped the out of contract XI 4-3 in Dalymount Park on Tuesday evening.

The PFAI XI featured names like Alan Kirby, Simon Madden and Ian Bermingham, but couldn’t beat the selection of players for Bohemians, who led two nil at half time. The first goal for Bohs came on the 17^th minute from trialist centre half Richardo’s header, after being set up by the impressive Danny Joyce, who crossed the ball in from a free kick on the right. Joyce had been probing the PFAI back-line before the goal, but the warning signs went unnoticed.

The game picked up pace after the goal, with full blooded challenges from opposing centre halves Stephen Last (Bohemians) and Victor Ekanem (PFAI) leaving strikers on both sides knowing they would be in for a tough evening.

The PFAI side, managed by Owen Heary, began to build momentum around the half hour mark, with veteran Alan Kirby’s shot flying wide past the post after good build up work down the right. Shortly after that Shane Dolan set up another seasoned League of Ireland winger Bobby Ryan, but the limerick man pulled his shot past the far post. Right Full back and former Dundalk Captain Simon Madden was also pushing hard down the right flank for the PFAI, but his work often came to nothing, with several good defensive clearances by goal-scorer Richardo.

With the PFAI growing into the game, they were dealt a blow when winger Dave Cawley picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, and his dipping shot caught Keeper Paul Murphy off his line before creeping in under the bar.

Despite the usual raft of changes to be expected at half time in any trial match, the game retained its bit of spark into the second half with players on both sides looking to impress.

It took the PFAI side only six minutes to level the game at 2-2, after goals from Paul Byrne and Substitute John Flood. Flood got the first of the two after Madden’s raiding run on the right saw him bundled over in the box. Flood cooly dispatched the penalty into the both right corner.

The second goal wasn’t long in coming after two former St Pat’s teammates linked up, with Ian Bermingham swinging in a lovely ball met by the head of Paul Byrne on the penalty spot, sending the ball into the roof of the net.

For the next ten minutes the PFAI side passed the ball around nicely, with some nice touches from former Bohs, Shelbourne and Cork City player Ollie Cahill, and another chance for Bobby Ryan, who fired over from a free kick.

The game swung back into Bohs favour on the hour when Eoin Murray slipped John O’Connor in, and he chipped the ball over the on rushing keeper to give Bohs back the lead.

The game remained fairly uneventful for the twenty minutes after the goal, with Karl Moore and Ian Bermingham making notably impressions. Onlookers such as Dundalk boss Sean McCaffrey, UCD chief Martin Russell and new Rovers boss Stephen Kenny were possibly looking towards players like this to bolster their squads. 

Another penalty was awarded to the PFAI side after John Flood was adjudged to be fouled in the box, and he stepped up to convert another penalty, this time high to the keepers left.

With the game poised at 3-3, Shane Dolan had a fantastic swivel and shot in the Bohs box, but the ball narrowly flew over the bar. Powerful central midfielder Dan Mahon also shot wide for Bohemians, before O’Connor pounced again in the box, turning smartly onto his left foot and blasting the ball high into the net to give the Bohs selection the victory right on the final whistle.

Ahead of his unveiling on Thursday, Aaron Callaghan feels his return to management has come at the right time. “It’s been a while I have to say, I think I’ve spent enough time in the number two position and as head coach at clubs, I think the timing is right for me as well.”

Aaron Callaghan also confirmed the signing on Sean Stewart for the 2012 season, a player he worked with at St Pats last year. “pleasure working with Sean at St Pat’s last year, didn’t play as often as maybe he should have, but he is a fantastic young kid and will be a great addition to the squad here.”

Callaghan also mentioned the he had been speaking with players on both sides in tonight’s game. “There is a few that were speaking to, on the PFAI side and there is a couple of trialist we’ve invited in to see how they fare against that opposition. It’s a case of seeing who catches your eye and then we can invite them in for training when we start back next Monday”.

BOHEMIAN FC: Ciaran Bizzel, Ross Flood, Adam Crowther, Richardo, Stephen Last, Danny Joyce, Dave Cawley, Karl Young, Andy Mulligan, Dave Scully, Mark Logan.

SUBS: Eoin Murray, Anto Hewitt, John O’Connor, Dan Mahon, Richard Hanicak, Phil Nolan, Philly McCabe, Luke Byrne.

PFAI: Paul Murphy, Simon Madden, Gareth Whelan, Victor Ekanem, Conor Powell, Keith Ward, Alan Kirby, Bobby Ryan, Derek Doyle, Shane Dolan, Paul Byrne.

SUBS: Shaun O’Donnell, Karl Moore, Ian Bermingham, John Flood, Ollie Cahill, Philly Byrne.