Bohemians 3 - 1 Dundalk

• Brendan White
• Fri, Oct 29 2010


Bohemians eventually overcame a stubborn Dundalk side on the final day of the League of Ireland season on Friday night but it was too little too late as Bohs surrendered their Premier Division crown.

Bohs started the game quickest and should have been in front after just three minutes. Paddy Madden raced clear but his shot was too close to Cherrie who pulled off a smart save. Four minutes later, Killian Brennan almost opened the scoring in spectacular fashion as his strike from the halfway line came crashing back off the crossbar.

Twelve minutes in and Bohs deservedly opened the scoring. Gareth McGlynn flicks on Killian Brennan’s cross, the ball bounces to Paddy Madden on the edge of the penalty area and his superbly volleys past Cherrie.

Four minutes later Bohs should have scored again. Jason Byrne superbly flicks the ball through to Madden who races clear at Cherrie but he somehow shot wide. Dean Bennett had Dundalk’s first chance but his strike was well saved by Bohs keeper Barry Murphy.

At this point it was all going well for Bohs as news filtered through that Bray Wanderers had taken the lead against Shamrock Rovers. The game lost its way a bit from that point with Brennan and Byrne wasting opportunities.

Bohs has the first chance of the second half but Cretaro fired over the bar from Brennan’s cross. Wayne Hatswell tried his luck next but his long range effort was saved by Murphy. Brennan found Keegan who raced toward goal, he passed to Cretaro but his cross was poor and was cleared.

Bohs missed opportunities came back to haunt them on 66 minutes. Simon Madden fired in a cross from the right wing and Faz Kuduzovic powered a header into the top corner of Barry Murphy’s goal to level the game.

Ken Oman was lucky not to give away a penalty eight minutes later. Steven Lennon nipped in as Oman attempted to clear but referee Declan Hanney, refereeing his last game before retiring, waved play on.

With eleven minutes later, Jason Byrne missed a great chance to give Bohs the lead again. Just six yards out, Byrne went for power rather than accuracy and his strike went high and wide when it looked easier to score. Three minutes later, Bohs were almost punished. Murphy fails to gather a long ball, Tipton collects and finds Kearns. He looks up and chips the ball toward the top corner but Bohs captain Owen Heary headed the ball off the goal line.

Bohs eventually retook the lead in the last minute of normal time. Quick thinking from Barry Murphy set Madden away down the right, he raced toward the endline before crossing to the back post for substitute Aaron Greene to brilliantly shoot past Cherrie.

Two minutes later Bohs secured the win. Liam Burns was adjudged to have fouled Byrne, and the striker stepped up to beat Cherrie. Bohs made hard work of the win but deserved it on the evidence of their chances. Pat Fenlon’s side did all they could on the night but Shamrock Rovers 2-2 draw in the Carlisle Grounds against Bray Wanderers secured the title for them.

Bohemians: Murphy; Heary, Shelley, Oman, Powell; McGlynn, Keegan, Brennan, Cretaro (Greene 65’); Byrne, Madden.
Subs not used: Traynor, Sexton, Lopex, Higgins.
Booked: Powell.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Madden, Burns, Hatswell, G. Breen; Maher (Lennon 71’), Kearns, Bennett, Miller; Tipton, Kuduzovic.
Subs not used: Murphy, Kelly, Cawley, J. Breen.
Booked: Kearns, Burns.

Referee: D. Hanney