Bohemians 1-0 Sporting Fingal

• Frankie Lally
• Fri, Mar 05 2010


Bohemians got the defence of their league trophy off to the perfect start as they defeated a plucky Sporting Fingal side by a single goal to nil. Killian Brennan won the game for the home side in the 78th minute with a well taken penalty after winger Anto Murphy was fouled in the box.

Bohs had their first opening of the game in the seventh minute after some good work down the left hand side by Killian Brennan which led to a cross to the front post that was just missed by the on-rushing Mark Quigley.

Fingal’s first thrust forward came in the 11th minute when Conan Byrne forced a good save from Barry Murphy in the Bohs goal following a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Bohs started to dominate the game for the following quarter hour with a succession of corners and long throw-ins from Anto Murphy which caused the Fingal defence plenty of problems.

Moments later Stephen Gray tried a speculative effort but didn’t do enough to worry Brendan Clarke in the Fingal goal as the shot sailed high and wide to his left.

The Gypsies then had the best chance of the first half when Brennan’s corner was met by the head of Paddy Madden but his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line.

As the first half wore on the game was beginning to turn into a midfield battle as the both teams failed to create any real chances. The teams went in at the break locked at 0-0 after a rather dull first half of football.

Gary O'Neill should have put Fingal in front just a minute into the second half when he latched onto a clearance from the Fingal defence. However his shot failed to hit the target and dragged wide. Conan Byrne was becoming a nuisance for Brian Shelley at the heart of the Gypsies defence. Brennan had Bohs first chance of the second half when they were awarded a free-kick in a promising position however the winger drove his shot straight into the Fingal wall.

Bohs got their opportunity to open the scoring in the 77th minute after Keith Quinn was adjudged to have fouled Murphy inside the box for what looked a very soft penalty. Brennan stepped up to take the spot kick for the reigning champions and coolly slotted the ball home from 12 yards. The goal may have been a bit harsh on a Fingal side who had just began to take the initiative in the game.

Liam Buckley then sent ex-Bohs player Glen Crowe into the game as Fingal pushed hard for an equaliser, but to no avail against a resilient Bohs defence.

Fingal again came close to an equaliser when a scramble in the box led to a shot from Gary O’Neill being heroically blocked by Bohs centre- back Stephen Gray.

Fingal pressed hard for an equaliser as the game drew to a conclusion and maybe should have had one. Shaun Williams drew a save from Murphy after a fantastic drive from 25 yards.

Crowe nearly grabbed an equaliser for Fingal at the death following a cross from Gary O’Neill but his shot went narrowly wide, much to the relief of the Bohs faithful.

The Gypsies will be delighted with the result if not the performance as they prepare for next week’s home game against Glentoran. Fingal on the other hand will be disappointed, but can take many positives from the game.

Bohemians: Murphy; Shelley, Gray, Heary (C), Powell; Murphy (McGlynn 90), Cronin Keegan, Brennan; Quigley (Cretaro 66), Madden.
Subs not used: O’Connor, Rossiter, Higgins.

Sporting Fingal: Clarke; O’Brien, Williams, Maher (C), Browne; Fitzgerald, McFaul, Byrne (Paisley 85), Quinn (Crowe 85), Finn; O’Neill.
Subs not used: James, Quigley, Kirby.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Conan Byrne

Referee: Derek Tomney