- Graeme McQueen
- Mon, May 05 2008
Bohemians swept aside First Division leaders Dundalk with a four-star display at Dalymount Park on Monday night to book their place in the quarter finals of the eircom League of Ireland Cup. First half strikes from Jason Byrne, Harpal Singh and Chris Turner put the Gypsies on easy street before substitute Darren Mansaram added a fourth in the dying minutes.
Bohemians, on the back of two consecutive draws in the league, made six changes from the side which drew with UCD at the weekend with Stephen O'Donnell, Jason McGuinness, Michael McGinlay, Chris Turner, Jason Byrne and Harpal Singh all coming in.
Following their six nil thrashing of Kildare County, John Gill also rung the changes with Stefan McKevitt, Shane Grimes, Paul Marney and David O'Connor named in the Dundalk starting line-up. Dundalk comfortably disposed of Monaghan United in the first round and have been in impressive form in the League, winning seven of their opening nine fixtures.
The Gypsies, meanwhile, have struggled at home so far this season, winning just once. However, having reached the final of this competition last year Pat Fenlon will be hoping his side can go one better this time around. They got off to the perfect start when Byrne put them in front after just four minutes. Singh, making a rare start on the left of midfield, crossed precisely from the left corner and Byrne swept home from 12 yards.
The early strike seemed to unsettle Dundalk and some sloppy defending almost allowed Bohs to double their advantage on 12 minutes. Singh was again the orchestrator, flashing a cross along the edge of the six yard box which just eluded the right boot of the in-rushing McGinley.
Bohs were dominating proceedings and grabbed a deserved second goal on 18 minutes. McGinley cut inside from the right and from the corner of the box floated a cross to the back post where Singh was on hand to slide the ball home. Just sixty later it was three nil when the Dundalk defence again caught napping. Owen Heary skipped down the right before picking out Turner unmarked on the penalty spot and the midfielder coolly cushioned the ball past a helpless Bennion. With less than a quarter of the game gone and the match by-passing the Dundalk midfield, it really did look a case of how many for the home side.
Singh passed up a glorious chance to add a fourth on 35 minutes when he fired straight at Bennion from 12 yards. Byrne then almost grabbed his second of the game when he rose highest to meet Conor Powell's cross, but his header was tipped away by Bennion. Seconds later McGinlay shot wide from 12 yards when it looked easier to score.
The one way traffic continued after the break with first O'Donnell and then Byrne going close with long-range efforts. It took Dundalk until the 66th minute to register their first meangful attack, Paul Smyth getting in behind the Bohs defence but chipping wide from just inside the box.
That was to be as good as it got for the Lilywhites on a night when they were simply outclassed by their Premier League opponents. The game threatened to peter out in the final stages as both managers made a string of substitutions, but there was still time for Bohs to add a fourth with Mansaram, on earlier for Byrne, curling the ball home from the corner of the box.
Bohemians: Brian Murphy; Owen Heary, Ken Oman, Jason McGuinness, Conor Powell; Chris Turner, Stephen O'Donnell, Michael McGinlay (Glenn Cronin 70), Harpal Singh; Neale Fenn (Glen Crowe 78), Jason Byrne (Darren Mansaram 65).
Subs not used: Chris Konopka, Liam Burns.
Dundalk: Chris Bennion; Stefan McKevitt (John Flanagan 46), Shane Grimes, Ben Whelehan, Ian Ryan (David Cassidy 58); Jamie Duffy, Paul Crowley, Paul Marney, David O'Connor; Trevor Vaughan, Paul Smyth (Tiarnan Mulvenna 67).
Subs not used: Kevin McArdle, Donal Green.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Man of the match: Harpal Singh (Bohemians).
