- John O'Shea
- Sat, Jul 26 2014
Bohemians have won their first game of the season at Dalymount Park, thanks to a 2-0 win over Cork City courtesy of goals from Steven Beattie and Eoin Wearen.
Bohemians were unchanged from the starting eleven that drew with St Patricks Athletic two weeks ago while Cork made four changes from the side that beat UCD, with Captain John Dunleavy returning from suspension.
The home side started brightly and took the lead after six minutes. The ball was delivered from the right by Anto Murphy and Beattie got in front of his marker to head Bohemians in front.
There was some good link up play from Kevin Devaney and Murphy in the lead up to the goal. Bohemians applied the early pressure and showed they were keen to maintain the good form they are in of late.
Owen Heary’s side looked dangerous on the wings and put pressure on City whenever they had the ball. Tactically, Bohs were getting it right and Devaney went close to doubling the Bohemians lead when his powerful shot rattled the bar.
City were lacking the quality which you might expect of potential league leaders and they created very few chances of note in the first half. Cillian Morrison’s shot, which was tipped over by the Bohemians keeper, was the closest they came to scoring.
The second half started in a similar fashion with Bohs controlling the game and keeping City at bay. John Caulfield changed things around the hour mark when he made all three substitutes in less than 10 minutes, with the hope of turning the game around. But Heary’s tactics seemed to work as they frustrated City as the game went on.
Kevin Devaney, who was very lively all night and a constant danger, nearly went close to getting a goal himself after 65 minutes when he shot over. But the game was disrupted for eight minutes due to the serious injury picked up by Cork’s Brian Lenihan, who picked up a nasty bang off the ground as he went up for a header .
When things got back underway Bohemians went 2-0 up. Anto Murphy set up Eoin Wearen and he finished clinically past Mark McNulty. Bohemians could have added to their lead but they did not take the chances which came their way.
City weren't at their usual best and how they respond to this defeat, with upcoming home games against Dundalk and St Patricks Athletic, will be crucial. But credit must be given to Bohemians who put in a hard shift and finally got their first three points of the season at home.
Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Derek Pender, Daniel Byrne, Aidan Price, Anto Murphy; Roberto Lopes, Eoin Wearen, Paddy Kavanagh (Karl Moore 90+7), Kevin Devaney, Dinny Corcoran; Steven Beattie (Jason Byrne 63).
Subs not used: Gavin Moore (gk), Dave Mulcahy, Jack Memery, Ryan McEvoy, Keith Buckley
Bookings:
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Brian Lenihan, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, Iarfhlaith Davoren (Josh O Shea 55); John Dunleavy, Colin Healy, Billy Dennehy, Cillian Morrison (Liam Kearney 55); John O’Flynn (Danny Morrissey 62), Mark O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien (gk ), John Kavanagh, Gavin Kavanagh, David O’Leary,
Bookings: Davoren (35), D Dennehy (45 +3).
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 1,350
Extratime Man of the Match: Kevin Devaney (Bohemians)
