Dundalk 0 - 2 Bohemians
Credit:
Bohemians came away from Oriel Park on Friday night with a fully deserved victory as they brushed aside a poor Dundalk. Goals in either half from Ryan McEvoy and a superb strike from Peter McMahon sealed an easy victory for the Gypsies.
It was Bohemians who raced out of the blocks and dominated the opening stages. They forced three corners in a row before Luke Byrne almost got through on goal. Bohemians had the first shot when Peter McMahon shot from 25 yards but it went narrowly wide. The visitors continued to press with former Dundalk midfielder Keith Ward looking dangerous but to no avail.
Dundalk managed their first effort on goal when they won a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Eoghan Osborne rolled it to Michael Rafter but his shot was dragged wide. Robert Waters then had a shot from distance but it was never troubling Andy McNulty in the visiting goal. Within seconds Byrne almost opened the scoring when his vicious drive went narrowly wide. It wasn’t long though until Bohemians did open the scoring when on 26 minutes some wonderful build up play from the visitors led to Ryan McEvoy finding space in the box and he slotted home to give The Gypsies a deserved lead.
Dundalk almost responded immediately when Luke Danville’s header was brilliantly saved by Andy McNulty. Bohemians seemed content with their lead and sat back allowing Dundalk time on the ball. That almost proved to be costly as Rafter found space in the box but he blazed over from 18 yards. Bohemians managed to assume control of the ball once more and saw out the first-half deservedly in front.
The second half began like the first. Bohemians had the opening chance when Stephen Traynor forced Peter Cherrie into a good save from close range. Then Ben McLaughlin’s stray pass was seized upon by Daniel Corcoran but his shot was easily saved by Cherrie. Evan McMillan was next as his header went wide before a rare Dundalk chance when Dan Cunningham blazed over from distance.
Bohemians scored a second goal which was richly deserved. Some wonderful interchanging passing on the edge of the box before a neat back heel found Peter McMahon and he rifled home to give Bohemians a commanding lead. That signalled the end of the game as a contest and little happened apart from the odd break from Bohemians. Dundalk began to lose their discipline with bookings before Derek Pender saw a good effort go just wide.
A wonderful performance from Bohemians as they go back up the M1 with all three points however Lilywhite fans will be wondering how their team have performed this poorly following last week's heroics in Derry.
Dundalk (4-4-2): Peter Cherrie; Ben McLaughlin, Peter Thomas, Luke Danville, Eoghan Osborne; Robert Waters (Dan Cunningham 46), John Mountney, Stephen McDonnell, Gary Shanahan (Chris Reilly 85); Shane O’Neill, Michael Rafter (Gareth Coughlan 78).
Subs: Ger Hanley, Paul Walsh, Nathan Murphy, Michael Osobe.
Yellow cards: McDonnell (54), Cunningham (60), Osborne (74), Thomas (89), Mountney (93).
Bohemians (4-5-1): Andy McNulty; Owen Heary (Derek Pender 61), Evan McMillan, Kevin Feely, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Keith Ward, Stephen Traynor, Peter McMahon (Andy Mulligan 74); Daniel Corcoran (David Scully 85).
Subs: Craig Sexton, Adam Martin, Daniel Joyce, Dan Mahon.
Yellow cards: Buckley (77).
Referee: Richie Winter.
Attendance: 903
Extratime.ie man of the match: Peter McMahon – exceptional all evening.
