Bohemians stormed to an emphatic win against Dundalk on Monday night. The Gypsies smashed five past the visitors, who looked tame and totally devoid of a confidence after going two goals down in the opening ten minutes. Georgie Kelly doubled his tally for the season with a superb hat-rick, after Tyreke Wilsons outstanding free kick. Promise came off the bench and picked up his first goal of 2021 to put the cherry on top for Keith Long’s side.
Coming into Monday’s game, both sides had endured tricky starts to 2021.
In previous seasons one might have called it a top of the league clash, but with Bohemians’ loss of Daniel Mandroiu and Danny Grant, coupled with Dundalk’s boardroom trouble and loss of captain Brian Gartland, both sides have struggled to put a good run of results together.
Bohemians, with just four wins in their opening twelve games had looked like they were putting their season back on track, with back-to-back wins against Finn Harps and Longford. However, after missing an early penalty and conceding a last-minute winner against St. Patrick’s Athletic last Friday, they left Richmond Park empty handed after dominating for large spells. Dundalk on the other hand have endured their worst league start since 2012, winning just of their opening 12 games. Recent fan protests against owners Peak6 have also raised concerns, while the club are still searching for a permanent manager.
Bohemians got off to an ideal start less than 5 minutes in. A terrific, driving run down the left-wing by Liam Burt allowed the winger to square across to Georgie Kelly, who slotted past Abibi from 6 yards for his first goal from open play this season.
A good start turned into an awesome start for The Gypsies on 10 minutes. Tyreke Wilson found himself standing over a 25-yard free kick. After hitting the crossbar last Friday from a similar area, Wilson made no mistake this time and curled his effort into the top corner. After needing 89 minutes to hit the net at St Pat’s last Friday, Bohs were now cruising with a 2-0 lead.
Bohemians almost put the game to bed on the half hour mark, as Abibi tipped Ross Tierney’s superb header over the crossbar. Dundalk had a brief spell of possession before the half ended, McMillan and Zahibo toiling in what was a torrid half for the visitors.
Any slim hope Dundalk had of getting back into the game evaporated five minutes after the restart. Burt burst down the wing, cut inside and found Kelly again who calmly found the net to Bohs 3-0 up and the game to bed. Tyreke Wilson received a harsh second yellow shortly afterwards, and Anto Breslin replaced Ross Tierney as a result.
The sending off gave the visitors a brief lift, as they enjoyed their best spell of the evening. Michael Duffy and Darragh Leahy tested James Talbot but in truth, Dundalk looked like they could not wait to leave Dalymount. Kelly completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes, sending his header past Abibi before being substituted to rapturous applause from the sparse crowd. The sides were even again as Cameron Dummigan received a second yellow for a rash challenge on Liam Burt, a challenge that summed up how frustrated The Lilywhites were with their situation.
With ten minutes remaining, Dundalk earned a consolation goal courtesy of a phenomenal Greg Sloggett effort. Promise Omochere came off the bench an picked up his first goal of the season, just before Ben Connolly’s full-time whistle brought the visitors atrocious evening to an end.