Dundalk 1 - 0 Bohemians

• Emmet Maloney
• Fri, Apr 23 2010


The Dundalk assistant manager Wayne Hatswell was the match winner at Oriel Park as the home team hung on to claim a 1-0 victory. Ross Gaynor’s inswinging corner from the Dundalk right was met by a cavalry charge of just about anybody in the Dundalk team who can muster a jump. It looked like Breen actually met the ball and his goalbound effort was blocked on the line. Unfortunately for Bohs the ball fell into the path of the still onrushing Lilywhite players and Wayne Hatswell thrashed the ball home from close range.

The teams were true to form and didn’t find the net during the first 45’. Bohemians were superior in midfield but had nothing clear cut to show for it. Mark Quigley had Bohs best chance in the first half as he was put into possession in the outside left channel, he cut back inside first Shaun Kelly then Garry Breen with beautiful footwork and balance but fired his 12 yard shot directly at Peter Cherrie who blocked out with his feet.

Bohemians continued to have the upper hand but couldn’t open Dundalk up as the Louth boys maintained their shape and discipline despite barely being able to mount an attack worthy of the name. The deadlock was nearly broken in added time at the end of the half as Glenn Cronin carried the ball through the middle of the park before feeding Quigley wide left who pulled back to Ruaridhri Higgins on the edge of the box. His first time effort with the outside of his right foot just passed the foot of Cherrie’s left hand post.

The second half started in much the same vein with Fenlon’s men probing away without getting behind their opposite numbers. Bohs best chance fell to Cronin on 56 when his ball out to Quigley was returned to him and he took it in his stride bursting into the box, Cherrie just managed to get down and divert the effort wide for a corner.

Around the hour mark the Louth team began to get a grip on the game and Neale Fenn had a decent effort from the edge of the box finger tipped low around his left hand post by Barry Murphy.

The crucial goal arrived on 77 minutes as Hatswell at last notched his first goal of the season after being so close on many occasions and despite plenty of effort from Bohs they still couldn’t break Dundalk down to open them up. Pat Fenlon must be scratching his head and wondering how a team with so much possession can leave with nothing.

Next up for Dundalk are Bray Wanderers at Oriel whilst Bohs face a very tricky trip to Sporting Fingal. When does a blip turn into a problem?

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, Wayne Hatswell, Garry Breen, Liam Burns; JJ Melligan (Johnny Breen 26’), Tom Miller, Stephen Maher; Ross Gaynor, Fahrudin Kudozovic (Michael Synott 90+1), Neale Fenn (Ciaran McGuigan 83).
Subs not used: Matt Gregg, Tiarnan Mulvenna

Bohemians: Barry Murphy; Brian Shelley, Jason McGuinness, Stephen Gray, Mark Rossiter; Glenn Cronin, Stephen Gray ; Gareth McGlynn, Killian Brennan 71), Paul Keegan, Ruaidhri Higgins (Paddy Madden 64), Mark Quigley (Aaron Greene 80); Jason Byrne />Subs not used: Chris O’Connor, Conor Powell

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Keegan.

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin)

Attendance: 3500 (estimate).