- Dan Dalton
- Fri, Jan 26 2018
First-half goals from Philip Gannon and Darragh Leahy saw Bohemians run out convincing winners over Finn Harps in a game they dominated from start to finish at Dalymount Park.
Midfielder Gannon opened the scoring for the Gypsies in the ninth minute as he smartly finished from a tight angle after the Finn Harps defence failed to deal with Paddy Kavanagh's set-piece delivery.
Bohemians were in the ascendancy from the start and much themore threatening side as they looked visibly sharper in possession than Ollie Horgan's Harps, who relied on Mark Timlin to provide some spark.
New signing Kevin Devaney went close to adding a 2nd but the pacey wingers effort failed to hit the target. The Ex-Galway winger was a thorn in a struggling Harps defence all night
The Gypsies doubled their lead in the 20th minute as Leahy headed home Kavanagh's delivery. After Peter Burke failed to meet the cross it was the teenager who calmly placed his effort over the helpless Harps keeper.
Bohs were now playing with greater confidence and moving the ball quickly through their midfield with Devaney, Gannon and Buckley impressing. The former Galway winger was next to try his luck but a 30 yard drive failed to trouble Harps keeper Peter Burke.
Harps went down the other end a minute later but Lee Tolands's effort failed to trouble Supple in the Bohs goal.
Harps' best chance of the half fell to Timlin but his left footed effort failed to trouble Bohs shotstopper Shane Supple.
Kavanagh continued to impress for Bohs and his rasping shot in the 35th minute was inches away from adding a third for Keith Long's side.
Bohs were now playing with greater confidence and moving the ball quickly through their midfield with Devaney Gannon and Buckley impressing.
The former Galway winger was next to try his luck but a 30 yard drive failed to trouble Burke.
Harps did show greater urgency in the 2nd half with the introduction of Liam Walsh and Jessie Devers adding greater urgency to their efforts.
The first chance of the half fell to Ciaran O'Connor but his headed effort was expertly saved by Shane Supple after great work by Timlin on the left wing.
Gannon went close to doubling his goal tally in the 56th minute, but his powerful drive was well saved by Burke, who remained busy throughout.
Youngster Paddy Kirk went close to adding a third in the 65th minute but he dragged his left-footed effort wide after showing neat footwork to evade Harps defender Aidan Friel.
Tommy McBride went closest for Harps in the second half with the midfielder's powerful right footed drive just flying inches past the right hand post of the Bohemian goal.
Keith Ward thought he had added a third in the 77th minute but his tidy finish was ruled out for offside.
And last season's top scorer Dinny Cocoran was guilty of missing a guilt edge chance in the remaining minutes as Bohs saw out proceedings having looked impressive throughout.
Next up for Bohemians is an encounter against Longford on Tuesday evening, while Harps meet Derry City in their next scheduled game as both sides build fitness ahead of the upcoming season.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; (Colin McCabe 66), Derek Pender (John Ross Wilson 66), Rob Cornwall (Dan Byrne 66), Dan Casey, Daragh Leahy (Paddy Kirk 66); Paddy Kavanagh (Karl Moore 66), Phillip Gannon (JJ Lunney 66), Keith Buckley (Keith Ward 66), Oscar Brennan (Ian Morris 66), Kevin Devaney (Dinny Corcoran 66); Cristian Mageruson (Rob Manley 66).
Finn Harps: Peter Burke; Eric Whelan, Raul De Silva (Shea Porter 83), Keith Cowan (Sam Todd 62), Lee Toland (BJ Banda 62), Aidan Friel, Tommy McBride,Mark Coyle (Liam Walsh 52) Gareth Harkin (Jessie Devers 46), Mark Timlin (Mark Hannon 69), Ciaran O'Connor.
Referee: Tomás Connolly.
Attendance: 350 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Paddy Kavanagh (Bohemians).
