League Report: Bohemians 2 - 1 Dundalk

• Rónán MacNamara
• Fri, Feb 24 2023




A sensational free kick from Jordan Flores and a well worked second from Declan McDaid gave Bohemians a momentum building win over Dundalk at a carnival Dalymount Park.

The largest crowd for a competitive game packed into Dalymount Park as Bohs survived a late scare through Dundalk newbie Johannes Yli-Kokko to pick up their first win over the visitors in seven attempts and third in eleven.

A fervent Bohemians put Dundalk to the sword with their enthusiasm, grit and aggression and deservedly led at the break when Flores rifled a free kick into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Devine wants his troops to be aggressive and front up and that was epitomized in their second goal after Paddy Kirk won the ball up the pitch before Afolabi laid off for Declan McDaid to turn home neatly.

Dundalk announced three new signings on the eve of their trip to the capital and it was Finnish recruit Yli-Kokko who gave the visitors a glimmer of hope with a low drive from outside the area in the 90.

The match unfolded against a backdrop of uncertainty with Dundalk reportedly set to be bought out by EFL Championship side Hull City whose owners were seen at Richmond Park as they potentially eye other ventures - little did they think their former Tiger, Flores would be opening the scoring just down the road.



Seemingly not opposed to any takeover talk, the Dundalk fans put that behind them and passionately backed their team in the new Mono Stand which more than looked the part in what was a crackling atmosphere in Phibsborough.

Stephen O’Donnell drafted in Paul Doyle for last week’s goalscorer John Martin while Declan Devine gave a start to Declan McDaid with James Akintunde only fit for the bench.

Dundalk entered the game unbeaten in their last six outings against Bohemians with the hosts only winning just two of the last ten games between the sides.

It was indeed the Lilywhites who started the brighter, dominating possession in the first five minutes before a storming Dylan Connolly run on his home debut sparked the hosts into life.

From there there was a flurry of Flores corners which Nathan Shepperd did well to deal with. Connolly’s attempt at the spectacular moments later typified the bubbling atmosphere in the early stages.

The Gypsies soon wrestled control of the first half with Afolabi having a half-hearted penalty appeal waved away by referee Rob Harvey before the former Celtic man saw a left footed effort flash wide of Shepperd’s post.

Bohs were deservedly in the ascendency at half time. After Connolly was hauled to the floor on the edge of the area by Louie Annesley, Flores stepped up and powered the ball into the top corner on Shepperd’s side who could only get fingertips to it.

Connolly almost made it two just minutes after the restart, Bohs nicked the ball in midfield and pounced through Ali Coote who set up the former but he dragged his shot wide.

Moments later Coote pinched the ball high up the field and unleashed a low effort that was well parried clear by Shepperd.



Dundalk lost their discipline during the first period of the second half with Paul Doyle, and Hayden Muller going in the referee’s book. Moments later a wicked ball was whipped into the box from Connolly and Muller redeemed himself by somehow denying Afolabi in a goalmouth scramble.

The Oriel side struck a purple patch with the changes of Daniel Kelly and new man Johannes Yli-Kokko proving fruitful as Hoban went close before Yli-Kokko had a penalty appeal turned down having seemingly beaten James Talbot to the ball but centre half Kacper Radkowski was adjudged to have got the last touch.

Immediately, Bohs struck a killer blow as Kirk won the ball and set Afolabi away who showed a cool head to pick out McDaid who made no mistake with the finish.

Shepperd was busy all night and he had to be alert to deny the industrious Adam McDonnell from making it 3-0.

It proved a timely intervention as substitute Yli-Kokko halved the deficit with a low daisycutter as six minutes of added time was announced.

The nervy Bohemians fans need not have worried despite a fear of de ja vu having conceded several leads late on in games as Devine’s men maintained their aggression and shape to see out the game with Dundalk unable to muster another shot on goal.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Keith Buckley, Grant Horton, Patrick Kirk, Kacper Radkowski; Ali Coote, Jordan Flores, Adam McDonnell; Jonathan Afolabi (Dean Williams 83), Dylan Connolly (James Akintunde 83), Declan McDaid (Krystian Nowak 76).

Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Drew Baker, John O'Sullivan, James Clarke, James McManus, Kris Twardek.

Booked: Jonathan Afolabi (37), Keith Buckley (55), James Talbot (66), Adam McDonnell (88), Jordan Flores (90).

Sent off: None.

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Louie Annesley, Andy Boyle, Archie Davies (Rayhaan Tulloch 79), Hayden Muller; Paul Doyle (Cameron Elliott 75), Alfie Lewis (Johannes Yli-Kokko 36), Connor Malley (John Martin 75), Ryan O'Kane (Daniel Kelly 54), Greg Sloggett; Patrick Hoban.

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie, Keith Ward.

Booked: Louie Annesley (45), Paul Doyle (55), Hayden Muller (58), Daniel Kelly (61).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Robert Harvey.

Attendance: 4432

extratime.com Player of the Match: Jonathan Afolabi