- Dave Donnelly
- Mon, Oct 19 2020
Dave Donnelly reports from Dalymount Park
History was made as Dalymount Park hosted its first ever Women’s National League game but there were no goals to toast the occasion as Bohemians were held by DLR Waves.
The first game of the league’s second phase saw the home side move from their Oscar Traynor base but there was no change on the field as the pair played out their second scoreless draw of the season.
Like their first meeting at the UCD Bowl last month, two well-organised sides largely cancelled one another out and, again, the away side just about edged the game on chances created.
Nadine Clare, Rachel Doyle and Katie Malone all had good chances take all three points for the visitors, who remain one point clear of now bottom-placed Bohs.
Waves had the better of a slow start to the game, Kerri Letmon calling Courtney Maguire into action with an inviting cross before Niamh Prior hit the side netting with a free kick.
Bohs had their first chance just before the midway point in the first half as Chloe Darby attempted an ambitious free kick from 25 yards that sailed into the arms of Eve Badana.
Former Ireland international Badana was rarely troubled but she was forced into an excellent save on the half-hour, tipping Bronagh Kane’s shot over the bar after the winger broke through.
Midfielder Clare had a brief chance to put her side in front as she wriggled free to meet Prior’s inswinging corner at the back post but she couldn’t get a proper connection on the ball.
A minute before the break, the slickest move of the game saw Doyle get free on the right and cross. Malone couldn’t reach but Shauna Carroll arrived late to shoot over from a tight angle.
Waves continued to press into the second period, but Bohs centre halves Chloe Flynn and Niamh Kenna, who spent pre-season with Waves, repelled anything that came their way.
The visitors should have taken the lead just before the hour as Letmon burst free and cut back for Doyle but, after doing well to find space for a shot, she blazed over from close range.
Bohs were restricted to chances on the break but almost got lucky when a loose pass put Kane within shooting range, but there wasn’t enough on her effort to unduly trouble Badana.
Substitute Carla McManus, making her second Waves appearance since recovering from an ACL injury, was lively and she outmuscled Sinead O’Farrelly before flashing a shot inches wide.
Ally O’Keeffe had a glorious chance to snatch the win for Waves seven minutes from time, but she couldn’t steer her header on target.
A fiercely-struck free kick from all of 40 yards had hearts in Waves mouths late on, but O’Farrelly’s hopeful effort landed on the roof of the net.
There was a comic moment in injury time as Prior was booked after three times being asked to move the ball back for a free kick three times, before returning it back to the same spot, and it ended 0-0.
Bohemians: Courtney Maguire; Sinead O’Farrelly, Chloe Flynn, Niamh Kenna, Annmarie Byrne; Shaunagh Newman, Chloe Darby (Georgia Monks 89), Sophie Watters; Abbie Brophy (Rebecca Creagh 77), Bronagh Kane (Alannah Maxwell 68), Aoife Robinson (Katie Lovely 89).
Subs not used: Rugila Auskalnyte (gk), Chelsee Snell, Ciara Mulligan.
Booked: Bronagh Kane (52).
DLR Waves: Eve Badana; Nicole Keogh, Ally O’Keeffe, Niamh Prior, Katie Burdis; Fiona Donnelly, Nadine Clare (Sinead Gaynor 83), Rachel Doyle (Caroline Healy 83); Kerri Letmon (Mel Clarke 83), Shauna Carroll, Katie Malone (Carla McManus 66).
Subs not used: Oleta Griffin, Aimee Maher, Orla Casey.
Booked: Ally O’Keeffe (53), Niamh Prior (90+2).
Referee: TBC
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Rachel Doyle (DLR Waves).
