- Andrew Dempsey
- Thu, Oct 12 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl
James Clarke helped fire Bohemians to a much-needed win over UCD on Thursday night – but it was far from a straightforward one.
The Students proved a stiff challenge for the European chasers in the first half before Clarke unlocked them with a 46th minute hit.
And Danny Grant then sealed the deal just over 20 minutes later when he headed home from a Dylan Connolly cross.
But UCD kept battling and scored a late consolation with prospect Matthew Alonge scoring in the 89th – but Bohs held on to move ahead of Shels and into fourth in the table.
Coming into the game following a 6-0 defeat against Derry City in their last league game, the Students were forced to contend without the services of suspended captain Jack Keaney.
Former Sligo Rovers midfielder Keaney was dismissed against the Candystripes – while Ireland under-19 trio Daniel Babb, Luke O’Regan and Jesse Dempsey all missed out due to their international commitments with the Boys in Green.
But the Gypsies created the first opening of the game in the 14th minute through Ali Coote as he latched onto a misplaced Eanna Clancy pass – but his shot was blocked.
Although their first major chance came six minutes later through Jonathan Afolabi.
Played in by James Clarke, the former Celtic striker raced in on goal before blazing his effort over Lorcan Healy’s goal.
Afolabi went close again before the half hour mark but his header was tipped over the bar by Healy after Dylan Connolly created an opening down the right flank.
And while the visitors were enjoying much of the play, they struggled as a coherent attacking threat for large swathes of the first half.
Clarke forced a routine save from Healy with a long range effort on goal but they had another good opportunity to break the deadlock – but they could not convert once again.
Pouncing on a Connolly pullback into the penalty area, Coote danced around two defnders before having a low effort saved by Healy when he should have scored.
But Bohs did not have to wait long before opening the scoring in the second half through Clarke.
The former Drogheda United midfielder latched onto an Afolabi knockdown before dancing around the UCD defence to slot his effort into the bottom corner of the net.
And the Gypsies went close to doubling their lead soon after through in-form Afolabi but he could only miscue his effort wide of goal as Devine’s side went through the gears.
Adam McDonnell then saw his free-kick clip off the crossbar after Clancy gave away a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.
But there was no need for Bohs to worry about a UCD leveller as the Students failed to create anything of note going forward.
In fact, Ciaran Behan’s shot on the edge of the penalty area was their best chance of note until they scored a consolation late on through Alonge.
Yet, Bohs shook off that scare when Grant scored an insurance goal for the Gypsies after he got his head on the end of a Connolly cross into the penalty area.
And that goal may provide the former Huddersfield Town winger with the platform he needs to kick on at Dalymount Park after an inconsistent first few months back at the club.
Coote then forced a good save from Healy when his long-range strike was batted away by the UCD netminder with just over a quarter of an hour to play.
But the Students ensured there would be a nervy finish for the visitors when Alonge found the corner of James Talbot’s net with a strike outside the penalty area.
Dean Williams then shot wide after an incisive counter-attack from the Gypsies – but it mattered little in the end as Bohs held on for an important victory.
UCD: Lorcan Healy; Ciaran Behan (Matthew Alonge 72), Éanna Clancy, Evan Osam, Adam Wells; Seán Brennan (Brendan Barr 72), Harry Curtis (Michael Gallagher 59), Dara Keane, Adam Verdon; Jake Doyle (Danú Kinsella-Bishop 55), Michael Raggett (Daniel Norris 55).
Subs not used: Kian Moore, Harvey O'Brien, Donal Higgins.
Booked: Harry Curtis (37), Éanna Clancy (57).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Cian Byrne, Patrick Kirk, Bartłomiej Kukułowicz, Krystian Nowak; James Clarke (Jordan Flores 70), Alistair Coote (Oluwaseun Akintunde 79), Adam McDonnell; Jonathan Afolabi (Dean Williams 85), Dylan Connolly (Declan McDaid 70), Daniel Grant (John O'Sullivan 79).
Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Louie Holzman, Kacper Radkowski, Keith Buckley.
Booked: Dean Williams (90).
Referee: David Dunne.
Attendance: 1,224.
extratime.com Player of the Match: James Clarke (Bohemians).
