Bohemians 3 - 1 St. Patrick's Athletic

• Jody Moylan
• Wed, Oct 21 2009


It has run like a soap opera, and so yet again, the plot thickens. We’ll remain glued, because for all its’ troubles the League of Ireland has the continuing capacity to enthral, by virtue of its’ sheer drama and downright unpredictability.

Bohemians won here at Dalymount, 3-1, against a St Patrick’s Athletic side lacking in any sort of lustre. Results elsewhere on the night may well have the most staggering effect on the season’s outright fortunes for both sides. Shamrock Rovers defeat to Cork City in Tallaght has now opened the door for the Gypsies to mount a high noon assault on the title while Sligo Rovers’ second win of the season in Derry sees St Pats slip further into the relegation zone.

Bohemians went for it from the start, commanding the early play and in the 10th Conor Powell picked up possession on the left, just inside the Pats’ half. One of the passes of the season was met by Jason Byrne but the precision seemed to startle the striker and he sent his header just over. The expression on his face told everyone that he knew better was expected.

With Bohs dominating, their cross-town rivals found the early going tough and it wasn’t until the 21st minute that The Saints got their first chance of real note. Bobby Ryan took the pass off Mark Quigley and from 25 yards struck with decent power but Brian Murphy was perfectly placed to catch the shot first time and without trouble.

Even at this early juncture there was an inevitability about where this tie was heading, such was the composure and comfort on the ball of the home side.

After 24 minutes the deadlock was broken. Jason Byrne found himself in an ocean of space in what at first glance looked a mile offside. Byrne held his nerve and lobbed Brendan Clarke but the lineswoman raised the flag much to the chagrin of the home support. Byrne had received the ball from a Bobby Ryan back-pass and so the strikers positioning was legitimate. After a quick consultation between lineswoman and referee the goal stood, perhaps saving the blushes of the official after what was an understandable mistake.

Such decisions might have a bearing on the tightest of games but this one was never hanging in the balance. Only ten minutes after the opener Ken Oman, making a habit of finding the net lately did so again after he met a Killian Brennan free kick square on the forehead to give Clarke in the Saints goal no chance.

Bohs continued to lay siege on Pats defence and after 36 minutes Glen Cronin picked up the ball after good work from Joseph Ndo. Cronin let fly from thirty yards and Clarke was again tested but dealt with it with assurance. The break could not come soon enough for Pats’ but any plans to calm the storm were scuppered in the 50th minute when Glen Cronin, having a robust game at the heart of things, dispossessed Alan Cawley in the middle. The ball eventually found Killian Brennan 25 yards from goal.

Brilliantly, he changed his run and skipped onto his left, deceiving Dave Partridge and the former Derry City man placed the ball from distance beyond Brendan Clarke.

With the result a done deal the game slowed to a canter but to Pats credit, they never gave up and with two minutes left on the clock they capitalized on a half paced back-pass from Anto Murphy to his namesake Brian in the Gypsy goal. After Stephen Maher pounced on the half chance the ball eventually found its’ way to Mark Quigley who finished well under the circumstances. It wasn’t to matter and the loudest cheer of the night came when word filtered through that Cork City had taken the lead out in Tallaght.

The Gypsies faithful went into the night in celebratory mood after regaining the coveted top spot as the seasons’ end draws ever closer. But who would dare suggest the twists and turns are over? The good part is just about to come.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy, Anto Murphy, Conor Powell, Glenn Cronin, Brian Shelley, Ken Oman (Gary Deegan 72‘), Paul Keegan©, Joseph Ndo, Paddy Madden (Glen Crowe 72‘), Jason Byrne, Killian Brennan (Neale Fenn 77’)

St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke, Mark Quigley, Stephen Maher, Darragh Ryan, Stuart Byrne, Jamie Harris, Gary Dempsey(John Lester 57‘), Bobby Ryan, David Partridge, Damian Lynch, Alan Cawley(Declan O’Brien 57’)(Glenn Fitzpatrick 69’))

Referee: Declan Hanney

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ken Oman