| Young Bohs Pipped |
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Bohs' Under-20 side were unluckily pipped 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night. 28 Oct 2010 (Thu) - Dr Tony O'Neill Under-20 League finalShamrock Rovers 1, Bohemians 1 After 30 minutes extra-time. The young Gypsies did themselves proud at Tallaght Stadium, only losing out 6-5 in a penalty shoot out where fortunes fluctuated almost as wildly as the wind from the Wicklow mountains. That strong and shifting breeze had a huge influence on the play at times, the teams doing well to play as much football as they did. Bohs started slowly against the elements, but when they settled about ten minutes in they looked the better combination. Stephen Traynor tucked home the neatest of passes from Gary Burke in the 40th minute to give the Gypsies the lead and, though Rovers had two good chances to equalise shortly after, at the interval Bohs looked to be in a strong position.  During the second period however Rovers dominated for long spells, and we then understood that it was in fact easier to play into the breeze than with it. Every time Bohs seemed to have engineered a breakaway the final ball was either too heavy or an extra gust of wind made it so. Rovers went close to an equaliser on too many occasions, but they couldn't find a finish. Ironically Bohs looked to have weathered the worst in all senses when Rovers' equaliser arrived in the 85th minute.In extra-time the Gypsies seemed to find their feet again, playing into the wind once more, Stephen Chambers going close in the 95th minute. Towards the end of the first half of extra time though Bohs suffered a blow when, with all their subs already used, Gary Burke had to retire injured. In the second half of extra-time Bohs completely bucked the trend, a man down and with the breeze to their backs they bravely produced some of their best moments of the night. Shane Keely took a prominent role, narrowly wide with a long range shot, then flying down the right wing to send in a cross that Christy Forrester headed on target but the home keeper saved. Rovers' Keith Kinsella blazed over from what looked a 'must score' position in the 116th minute, but another Keely charge saw keeper Hughes in serious action again to push the ball away, but it was only half cleared and Chambers fired a shot inches over. Rovers looked for a late winner but there was Roberto Lopes to break up their final attack. And so to penalties. Captain Keely saw his effort crash off the bar, Rovers briefly going 2-0 up before Mark O'Reilly settled Bohs' nerves. Now Rovers wobbled, missing the target twice in a row while David Lodola and Kevin Feely put Bohs 3-2 up. Stephen Traynor's effort was saved so on we went, Stephen Chambers and Roberto Lopes scoring and we reached 5-5. Craig Sexton saved the next kick but Declan Brennan's luck was lousy, his shot hitting a post. Christy Forrester's luck was even worse; Bohs had lost the lottery but not an ounce of pride. Shamrock - Robert Hughes; Sean Gannon, Jeff Flood, Donal Brannigah, Jack Mernery; Michael Doyle, Carl Kinnear, Colm Corcoran, Conor Early; Conor Murphy, Daniel McGuinness. Bohemians - Craig Sexton; Mark O'Reilly, Roberto Lopes, Kevin Feely, Anto Corcoran (86 Declan Brennan); Keith Buckley (75 Stephen Chambers), Shane Keely (captain), Stephen Traynor, Lee Dixon (62 Christopher Forrester); Gary Burke (retired injured), David Lodola. Unused subs - Derek Kavanagh, Mark Maher. Referee - Rob Daly. Linesmen - Rob Harvey and Andy Maher. 4th Official - Phil Caschera.
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| Last Updated on Friday, 29 October 2010 04:40 |
