- Tom Clancy
- Sat, May 13 2017
There was a crowd of 3,622 at Dalymount Park to witness Shamrock Rovers make it back-to-back victories, while completing a 2017 hat-trick over bitter rivals Bohemians. Flares were seen in both stands as the teams entered the field – for what is set to be the last clash between the sides at the current ground. Trevor Clarke added to Brandon Miele’s early strike in the latest instalment of a derby which was first played in 1915.
The Hoops started with greater impetus and struck the front after just six minutes. Miele, the only addition to the side from last week’s victory over Dundalk, smashed home, after a wonderful right wing cross from Graham Burke.
Bohemians had their first chance shortly after; a curling Lorcan Fitzgerald free-kick saw Ian Morris send a header wide. Roberto Lopes went close to doubling the lead when he met Burke lob. His effort was wide of Shane Supple’s goal – Lopes scored the winner for Bohemians in the last meeting of the sides in Phibsboro.
Patrick Kavanagh mishit a volley when he looked like to equalise, a miss which would haunt his side. The Gypsies turned over the ball inside their own half and Trevor Clarke was released down the right. He was patient and cut back onto his left foot to curl an unstoppable shot into the top corner to double his team’s advantage. Clarke tormented veteran Lorcan Fitzgerald throughout.
Kavanagh and Mile brought the game’s first real flash point. Kevin McLaughlin and his assistant deemed Kavanagh in the wrong and cautioned the winger for his tackle that left Miele in a heap on the wet Dalymount Park surface. McLaughlin was to have a busy evening, but appeared to control an often fiery tie well throughout.
Gary Shaw went close just before the break, as Rovers enjoyed good possession to see out the half.
Keith Long’s side did enjoy the larger share of possession in the second half, but for all of their endeavour, failed to test Tomer Chencinski during the whole game.
Dan Byrne sent his volley over in the early moments of the second half while the lively Oscar Breenan had a shot deflected just wide as the pressure mounted. But Stephen Bradley’s side were able to deal with any set-pieces and the frequent Ian Morris long-throws, with ease. The lack of ammunition for Dinny Corcoran will worry Long, as the Hoops strolled to victory.
The game had eight yellow cards, but in truth the tension in the game had been taken from the game by Clarke’s wonder strike.
Shane Supple was under-employed during the second-half but the damage had been done by a lightning quick start from the Hoops, who move up to fifth, ahead of a trip to Donegal to face Derry City, while Bohemians drop to tenth and will look to improve against second-placed Bray Wanderers next weekend.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender © (Dylan Hayes 70), Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Kaleem Simon (Jamie Doyle 70), Oscar Brennan, Faud Sule, Ian Morris, Patrick Kavanagh; Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not Used: Greg Murray (gk), Philip Gannon, Keith Ward, Dean Casey, Georgie Poynton.
Booked: Kavanagh (30), Cornwall (53), Sule (58), Hayes (83), Byrne (86)
Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski; Simon Madden, Roberto Lopes, Dave Webster, Luke Byrne; Trevor Clarke, Ronan Finn ©, David McAllister, Brandon Miele (Sean Boyd 76); Graham Burke, Gary Shaw (Michael O’Connor 90+3).
Subs not Used: Kevin Horgan (gk), Daniel Devine, James Doona, Sean Heaney, Sam Bone.
Booked: Finn (40), Byrne (60), Burke (90+3)
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan)
Attendance: 3,622
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers)
