Bohemians 0 Rovers 2

************* Eircom League *************
Bohemians 0

Shamrock Rovers 2
O'Connor 5' Purcell 55'

Dalymount Park - Monday 17th Sep 2007

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The Hoops got off to a fine start when after just five minutes a Ger O'Brien free kick was flicked on by Myler to Dan O'Connor who saw his shot fumbled by Bohs 'keeper Blaney and hit the back of the net. The goal ensured an open game played on a fine surface on a windy and cold night. Bohs hit back immediately with Kelly hitting a volley just over the bar.

The home side were playing with a strong breeze and a corner in the 19th minute was met by Byrnes and Murphy produced a fine one-handed stop before O'Brien bravely completed the clearance. John Martin was getting into good positions down the right but the final ball didn't hurt the Bohs defence. O'Brien had to race to get back to make a fine interception tackle in the 22nd minute. Bohs gradually took control and Turner burst past Lawrence into the box and squared the ball across goal but a Bohs attacker missed the ball completely in front of a gaping goal.

A harsh free kick given against Lawrence in the 30th minute was taken quickly and went narrowly over Murphys goal. On 37 minutes Turner then fired a free kick inches wide after Myler was adjudged to have fouled. Ferguson was on hand to make a fine defensive header in the 39th minute before the Hoops hit back with Cassidy finding Purcell in the box but the finish was weak. Bohs pushed on for a goal just before the break with a couple of inswinging corners but Murphy made a great catch on 45 mins. and was clattered by Jason McGuinness, who received a yellow card, Murphy then had to retire injured at half-time.

Bohs started the second half well and Ferguson made a good clearance from a dangerous cross. Ten minutes into the second period John Martin turned his marker in midfield and sprayed the ball out to O'Brien who delivered a cross to the back post where the outstretched leg of Purcell guided the ball into the net. Bohs were shell shocked but Hunt dragged a dangerous ball across John McGuinness's goal four minutes later. Dean Lawrence broke from defence in the 63rd minute and he almost found Purcell with a ball over the top.

Dave Cassidy picked up a Myler header on 69 minutes and fired in a shot from 25 yards that Matthews did well to hold. A minute later Myler poked the ball home from close range but Ref. Kelly ruled the goal out for a foul by O'Connor. Bohs began to drag themselves back into the game and Crowe fired a shot just over the bar on 73 minutes. A fabulous header from Dan O'Connor from directly under his own cross bar cleared the danger from a Singh cross.

As Bohs pushed on in the 78th minute Purcell broke into the Bohs area but was stopped by the last defender who could only knock the ball to Andy Myler and the Hoops recent prolific goalscorer bore down on goal but Blaney pushed away his shot for a corner. Bohs saw a lot of the ball after that but found no way past a resolute Hoops defence. McGuinness got down low to save a Turner long range effort on 89 minutes and then deep into injury time he blocked Kellys shot from inside the area. The final whistle was greeted with joy by the Hoops faithful on the Connaught Street side and they acclaimed a sweet victory.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O’Brien
3 Robbie Clarke
4 Dean Lawrence
5 Barry Ferguson
6 Danny O’Connor

7 John Martin
8 Paul Shields
9 Tadhg Purcell
10 Andy Myler
11 David Cassidy


Substitutes :

13 Alan Reynolds
14 Eric McGill for Martin 64'
15 Ger Rowe
16 John McGuinness for Murphy ht
17 Padraig Amond for Myler 82'