- Aaron Gallagher
- Sat, Mar 28 2015
The spoils were shared between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night in a frustrating game for Pat Fenlon's home side. His team will feel that they should have got the full three points from this Dublin derby.
Rovers went into the game undefeated from their opening four league fixtures of the new season, and this form continued against Keith Long's Bohemians side. Bohs looked questionably nervous in the opening stages of the game, with basic errors being committed right across the pitch, in particular along the right flank.
The Hoops took full advantage of this and proceeded to attack the visitors relentlessly along both wings. Gary McCabe put in a routinely active display in the middle of the park, looping passes and through balls in to cut the Bohemians defence open time after time.
In a largely inactive first half Pat Felon's side, looking enthusiastic and full of positive play, could not take advantage of their periods of dominance in the opening 45 minutes. David O'Connor provided sparks of inventiveness along the left wing for Rovers, linking up with forward Michael Drennan to expose Bohs' evident nervousness at the back.
That said, Bohs' main threat going forward came from right-back and Derek Pender, with the Bohs captain offering the only shot of the opening half an hour. Pender found himself with some space just outside the Rovers penalty area and shot only to find the side netting from a threatening attempt on Craig Hyland's goal.
The major chances of the first half all came in a floury of activity in the dying embers of the opening period. A free-kick curled in by McCabe after a foul committed by Stephen Best was met by the head of an unmarked David Webster whose attempt passed over the crossbar.
Rovers continued their run of close chances when Keith Fahey found himself in space in the middle of the pitch. The former Ireland international danced past numerous challenges from the Bohemians' defence before a heavy touch brought him to collide with goalkeeper Dean Delaney. The netminder’s outstretched leg cleared the danger from a chance that would have surely ended in a goal if not for the save.
Bohemians came back at the hosts through captain and star-performer on the night Derek Pender. His curling cross fell to striker Dean Kelly with the forward's half-volleyed effort being blocked down by centre-back Webster.
Fahey took a more prominent role in the affair as the game progressed into the second half. The midfielder pulled teammates wide before releasing through balls repeatedly, before he created with an opportunity for himself to put his side ahead.
He found some in space in front on the Bohemians' defence before a Drennan touch set him up for a half-volley. However the midfielder's effort was tame and saved by a low diving save by Delaney.
The closest of all chances coming Rovers way came in the 76th minute when initial good play from Simon Madden found Kieran Marty Waters on the left flank. Waters swung in an inviting cross that was met by a thunderous header from substitute Gavin Brennan. Not for the last time, Delaney saved brilliantly.
Chaos reigned in the Gypsy penalty area as shots from Conor Kenna and Waters forced a string of multiple, jaw-dropping saves from Bohemians goalkeeper who undoubtedly earned Keith Long's side a point in this affair.
The Hoops will rue not taking the opportunities afforded to them in the second half. Bohemians threatened rarely and provided little when doing so and it will Rovers that will feel hard done by with the result.
The last chance of the game fell to late substitute Danny North in a frantic final ten minutes. As the ball was crossed and bobbled around the Bohemians penalty area, the ball finally came to the far post to find an unmarked North. His looping header rose too high and ultimately brushed off the top of the crossbar.
However it will ultimately be the absence of any clinicalness when presented with opportunities they did well to create that cost Pat Felon's side the full three points at Tallaght Stadium.
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Dave Webster, Conor Kenna, David O'Connor; Sean O'Connor (Kieran Marty Waters 70), Pat Cregg, Stephen McPhail (Ryan Brennan 60), Keith Fahey, Gary McCabe (Danny North 84); Michael Drennan.
Subs not used: Barry Murphy (gk), Maxime Blanchard, Gavin Brennan, Gareth McCaffrey.
Booked: Webster (5), Drennan (42), D O'Connor (67)
Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Derek Pender, Stephen Best, Derek Prendergast, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Patrick Kavanagh, Roberto Lopes, Keith Buckley (Kealan Dillon 60), Robbie Creevy, Adam Evans (Karl Moore 74); Dean Kelly (Jason Byrne 78).
Subs not used: Lee Stacey (gk), Marc Griffin, Dylan Hayes, Adam Wixted.
Booked: Lopes (15), Best (72), Creevy (91).
Referee: Paul Tuite.
Attendance: 4,500 (estimate)
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Dean Delaney (Bohemians).
