- Christine Allen
- Sun, Apr 28 2024
Bohemians have found their pizzazz once again this season, defeating a tenacious Treaty United 2-1 at Dalymount Park with goals from Sarah Power and Savannah Kane.
The teams sauntered onto the pitch on what was a bright but cold day, accompanied by Whigfield’s 1995 smash hit ‘Saturday Night.’
A lone Irish tricolour swayed imperceptibly as a minute's silence blanketed Dalymount Park, a warm ripple of applause following suit from the Jodi stand as the players bounced energetically in preparation for kick-off.
The home side were quick out the traps, intent on making a statement as bold as the BFC graffiti that decorates the Dalymount Park box; its red, black and white contrasting sharply with the Mono stand.
Sarah McKevitt dinked the ball over the visitors' heads to find Alannah McEvoy who beat Talia White - McKevitt delivering a swirling ball into the danger zone only for Orlagh Fitzpatrick to miscue as the offside whistle blew.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the opening twenty minutes, the home fans jovially circling through the letters of the club's name in an attempt to rustle up some momentum.
Bohs then began to turn the screw with lively link-up play at the edge of Treaty’s box, winning several set pieces that they threatened to convert, while at the other end, Lisa Murphy and Tiegan Ruddy closed ranks, frustrating Katie Lawlee and Erin Van Dolder who sought to find an opening.
Savannah Kane had the best chance to break the deadlock in the 24th minute, Anne-Marie Ulliac blocking the former Reds poke from close range.
Then with a touch of verve, Lisa Murphy played a long ball to McKevitt who turned Ayaka Ikeza for dust on the right flank, and you sensed that a goal was imminent as the deflections mounted.
Sarah Power drew first blood for Ken Kiernan's side in the 29th minute, the defender nestling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with a glancing header from a well-executed corner by Orlagh Fitzpatrick.
The echoes of Spandau Ballets ‘Gold’ still hung in the air when the women in red and black created two further chances to score.
A slick transition of play between Kane, McEvoy and McKevitt found Aoibhe Brennan in the penalty box, the number 7 mistiming her attempt by a hair's breadth.
The home side would come to rue those missed opportunities, the lively Lawlee mopping up a half clearance by goalscorer Power just shy of half-time in the 40th minute to make it one a piece at the break.
After the restart, Bohs had an early chance to retake the lead when Brennan triggered a move straight out of the training ground, a short pass at the edge of the box to McKevitt who shot high and over the crossbar.
McKevitt was once again involved in another attempt on target for the home side, crossing the ball low to Kane who had time and space to wind up and place the ball with her left boot - Ulliac stretching to tip the ball wide and to the left.
Despite Bohs greater chances on goal, Treaty still posed a threat, Power forced to mark Lawlee tightly, the Under 17s Ireland skipper buzzing around the Bohs backline in a tireless effort to penetrate any chink in their defense.
The number 19 came close in the 63rd minute when a visionary ball from Van Dolder (who made an impact for the Garryowen women throughout the 90+minutes) landed at her feet.
Lawlee did well to control the ball, dinking it cleverly across Power before skipping over Fiona Donnellys outstretched leg.
Yet the finish let her down, Lawlee snapping at the strike with her right foot and dragging the ball left of Ulliacs post.
Bohemians always looked to have another goal up their sleeve and it came in the 64th minute, Kane awarded for her marauding play in the fixture when a long ball from Murphy found McEvoy on the right flank, the 23-year-old stretching to toe poke it across to Kane who buried it in the back of the net.
Dominic Foley's side were far from out of the contest however and almost caught Bohs napping in the 65th minute, Delana Friesen cutting inside the box and firing inches over the crossbar.
Yet Kiernans eleven were determined to see their victory through.
McEvoy tracked back as needed, muscling the blue and white shirts off the ball, while Murphy cleared as if her very life depended on it.
Substitute Hannah Saidi had half a chance to equalise in the 88th minute but the Bohs backline broke Garryowen's hearts and closed her down, while Lawlee was unable to control a Fiana Bradley cross as it ricocheted off her right foot.
The contest ended with Bohs taking the spoils, the Dalymount Diamonds showing that they can still shine bright.
Bohemians: Rachael Kelly; Sarah Duke Power, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy; Aoibhe Brennan (Abbie O'Hara 90), Shauna Carroll, Fiona Donnelly, Orlagh Fitzpatrick (Lynn Craven 46), Savannah Kane (Katie Lovely 69), Sarah McKevitt (Aoibhe Fleming 85); Alannah McEvoy.
Subs not used: Medbh Ryan, Ciara Smith, Eimear Quinn, Rachel McGrath, Katie Malone.
Treaty United: Anne-Marie Ulliac; Ayaka Ikeza, Kayla Kyle, Grace McInerney (Hannah (Yasmine) Saidi 86), Talia White; Caleigh Boeckx, Delana Friesen, Katie Lawlee, Kate O'Donovan (Grace Gleeson 65), Erin Van Dolder; Cara Griffin (Fiana Bradley 65).
Subs not used: Katie Irwin, Leah Martin.
Booked: Grace McInerney (70).
