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@bfcublin Shamrock Rovers recorded a narrow victory at Dalymount Park courtesy of a Dean Kelly header mid-way through the second half, Shane Quinn reports
In a game where chances were seldom created, the importance of set-pieces was again highlighted when the attacker stole in to head past keeper Barry Murphy, although Gary Twigg also claimed he got the final touch. Rovers had entered this derby match recovering from their Champions League third round exit, when they were outclassed by FC Copenhagen in Tallaght. 
Bohs enjoyed 15 days’ rest up until to this game, but that may have been too long a break from playing, as the early signs were not good for Rovers. A bad error by Ronan Finn in the second minute put Christy Fagan through on goal at an acute angle, but he dragged his effort well wide. The first yellow card arrived within 10 minutes for Robert Bayly due to a late tackle from behind. The game’s opening effort belonged to Twigg, but, again, he should have done better than head straight at Murphy from eight yards.
Rovers once more threatened when Enda Stevens’ fabulous pass down the line put Billy Dennehy in behind Owen Heary. Murphy, nevertheless, was quick from his line to knock the ball off the Kerryman for a goal kick.
It was the Copenhagen tie all over again as Rovers rattled the crossbar via a header, this time from Finn in the 26th minute. Dean Kelly’s beautiful cross from the left flank met Finn’s forehead and he smashed the ball off the frame of the goal. Ex-Bohs man Stephen Rice had a gilt-edged opportunity from the rebound but scuffed it over.
Billy Dennehy’s pace down the left wing was causing Bohs serious trouble, and on one instance when he finally produced a good cross, Murphy intervened to negate the danger. As the first half wore on Rovers had shaken off the early sluggishness, and were dominant. 
Still, a shocking incident of poor discipline occurred between two Hoops players close to half-time, as keeper Ryan Thompson and captain Dan Murray went head to head after a mix up in communication. Thompson, in particular, looked to take Murray’s criticism to heart that he did not come from his line quickly enough.
But the visitors were not distracted. Just seconds after that ugly incident, uncertain defending by Bohs saw Dennehy spurn a glorious chance as he turned and shot straight at Murphy from 10 yards.
Meanwhile, the game was being buoyed by the enthralling atmosphere in the ground, no doubt helped by a Des Kelly Stand heaving with away fans.
Twigg again had a clear header at goal in the 51st minute. Conor McCormack’s free kick picked out the unmarked Scottish forward, whose looping header was acrobatically tipped over by Murphy.
Despite Bohs improving after the restart, it was Rovers who took the lead in the 68th minute, and from a set-play. Dennehy delivered and Dean Kelly rose between the Bohs centre-halves to nod down into the net beyond Murphy’s grasp (67).
Bohs did respond quickly, and Ger O’Brien will not want to see himself blazing the ball over from Aidan Downes inviting cut-back again. Rovers had noticeably dropped deeper following their breakthrough, inviting the hosts onto them. And that negativity almost cost them when O’Brien’s close range header flew over the crossbar deep in stoppage time.
Bohemians: Murphy; Heary (C), Burns, Price, Rossiter (Cahill, 60); O’Brien, Buckley, Cronin, Bayly (Downes, 60), Brennan; Fagan (Forrester, 85).
Shamrock Rovers: Thompson; Flynn, Sives, Murray (C), Stevens; Kelly, Finn (O’Neill, 76), Rice, McCormack, Dennehy (Moore, 88); Twigg.
Possession – Bohs: 48%; Rovers: 52%. Attempts on target – Bohs: 0; Rovers: 5.
Attempts off target – Bohs: 5; Rovers: 3.
Corners – Bohs: 4; Rovers: 6.
Yellow Cards – Bohs: Robert Bayly, Mark Rossiter, Ger O’Brien, Keith Buckley. Rovers: Craig Sives, Pat Flynn, Gary Twigg, Dean Kelly. Referee – Damien Hancock (Dublin). |
