Bohemian Football Club Crest

An incredible three-goal blitz toward the end of the first half earned St Patrick’s Athletic a deserved victory against Bohemians.

This was a huge game in the context of the title race. Pats’ defence has been their strongest weapon to date with five league goals conceded in 13 games. Bohemians’ defence had a slightly different look to it here with Steven Gray playing in the left-back position.

St Pats’ stalwart defender, Conor Kenna, temporary left the pitch with a knock in the 10th minute and the visitors took full advantage. Anto Murphy side-footed goalkeeper Gary Rogers kick out into the path of the unmarked Jason Byrne who sprinted through on goal and curled beyond Rogers. Rogers should have done better but Byrne wasn’t complaining. and neither were the travelling supporters sitting close to the former Cagliari boss, Giovanni Trapattoni.

Almost immediately after, Mark Quigley was fortunate to escape with a booking when his challenge forced Gareth Coughlan off injured. That followed a long delay with some handbags ensuing. Quigley was subsequently substituted for Paddy Madden.

Murphy in the Bohemians goal produced a flying save to deny Paul Byrne as St Pats tried to respond after going behind. But the earlier incident involving Quigley had taken much of the sting out of the game with the Setanta Cup champions happy to command possession.

Nobody could have predicted what was to happen next as St Pats scored three goals in four minutes! Firstly, the substitute Derek Doyle slammed beyond Murphy after a scramble in the area on 38 minutes. A scrappy second came through the striker Paul Byrne heading home, literally on the line, after Murphy failed to claim the ball when leaving his goal. But the icing on the cake arrived three minutes from the break. The ball broke out to the captain, Stuart Byrne, who curled a wonderful 25-yard effort into the far corner of the net to stun the Champions heading into the break.

It was a long way back for the visitors, and the impression as the second half rolled on, was that the lead was insurmountable. It was the home side that looked the more likely of finishing the game off as Vinny Faherty’s dipping volley flew half a yard over.

Jason Byrne had a shout for a penalty when he felt he was pushed over in the area but the referee, Damien Hancock, waved it away. Murphy had to be aware when tipping Ryan Guy’s header around his far post. Shortly after, the San Diego native had plenty of time to pick his spot but blazed over.

Madden had an excellent opportunity to pull a goal back on 85 minutes when Rogers spilled under pressure from Paul Keegan, but he hooked his shot over an empty net. Bohemians will need to be much better against Shamrock Rovers in their next league outing.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, Guthrie, Bermingham; Guy, S Byrne (C) (Sinnott, 84), Mulcahy, Coughlan (Doyle 11,); P Byrne, Faherty

Bohemians: B Murphy; Heary (C), Shelley, McGuinness, Gray (Burke, 79); A Murphy, Keegan, Higgins, Brennan; Quigley, J Byrne

Possession: St Pats: 52% Bohs: 48%

Attempts on target: St Pats: 6 Bohs: 3

Attempts off target: St Pats: 6 Bohs: 3

Corners: St Pats: 3 Bohs: 2

Bookings: St Pats: S Byrne Bohs: Mark Quigley, Barry Murphy, Anto Murphy, Jason McGuinness

Sent off: St Pats: None Bohs: None

Referee: Damien Hancock