Seán O’Connor reports from Oriel Park
Georgie Kelly’s 1st half penalty proved to be the difference as Bohemians left Oriel Park with their first win of the season.
In a feisty affair, not short on incident, Bohemians picked up a much needed 3 points beating The Lilywhites 1-0.
Dundalk piled on the pressure in the second half, going close through Stanton and Cleary as thy sought an equalizer. Shane Keegan may feel his side should have had a penalty late on, but the Bohemians defence remained solid as they held on for the win.
Coming into the game, last season’s 2nd and 3rd placed teams had suddenly found themselves in a battle to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
Both teams began the match with great intensity, putting in crunching tackles early on amid encouragement from both benches.
Dundalk almost had the perfect start 3 minutes into the game. Han Jeongwoo found himself through on goal but was pulled down by James Finnerty on the edge of the area. Michael Duffy crossed but Andy Boyle’s header could only find the crossbar, an early let off for the visitors.
Michael Duffy and Raivis Jurkovskis both had good attempts in the opening 10 minutes, but neither troubled James Talbot. Both sides enjoyed periods of possession and they began to settle into the game.
The breakthrough came on the quarter hour mark. Daniel Cleary fouled Ross Tierney before the referee pointed to the spot. Georgie Kelly stepped up and confidently struck the ball in the bottom corner.
On 25 minutes in Bohemians broke on the counter from a Dundalk corner. Keith Ward put in a dangerous cross that was cleared for to safety. Liam Burt and Ward continued to cause trouble for Dundalk’s back line.
On the half-hour mark Dundalk began to come into their own and search for an equalizer. Shouts of “press” from Giovagnoli and “squeeze” from the injured Brian Gartland in the stands appeared to be working, as Han and Patrick Hoban gave the Bohemians’ defence little time on the ball.
Just before half-time Dundalk almost gifted Bohemians a second, as Peter Cherrie failed to deal with a seemingly routine pass back. It looked like a tap-in for a moment when Kelly intercepted the ball, but Chris Sheilds cleared for a corner much to the relief of the Dundalk shot-stopper.
Both teams emerged for the second half as Dundalk’s Han was replaced by Patrick McEleney. Dundalk began the second half much brighter than they finished the first.
Sheilds and Stanton piled on the pressure as Bohemians began to look vulnerable. Duffy’s free kick on 55 minutes was easily dealt with by Talbot.
On the hour mark, The Lilywhites’ best chance of the game came when Stanton’s point-blank header was saved brilliantly by Talbot. Sensing a breakthrough coming, Shane Keegan made a triple change on 64 minutes as David McMillan, Darragh Leahy and Junior were all introduced. Dundalk appeared to be playing with a front four as they searched for an equalizer.
Bohemians began to fight back on 70 minutes, with good passages of play and movement off the ball. Tierney and Kelly threatened Cherrie as Dundalk soaked up the pressure.
The match was finely balanced entering the final 10 minutes, with 17-year-old Ryan O’Kane introduced a Dundalk tried to salvage a point. Duffy’s wild effort sailed high and wide before Kelly’s shot threatened Cherrie at the other end.
Keith Long sent on Dawson Devoy and Ali Coote with 5 minutes remaining as The Gypsies held onto their slim advantage.
In the final few minutes, every cross Dundalk sent in was confidently dealt with by the Bohemians defence. On 88 minutes there were shouts handball inside the Bohemians box, but the referee waved away Dundalk’s desperate appeals.
As the fourth official signalled for 4 minutes added time, Sheilds was brought down for a free kick which Duffy failed to convert. Cleary sent Dundalk’s last chance just wide before Robert Harvey blew for full-time.
The Bohemians bench erupted as Keith Long breathed a sigh of relief after a poor start to the season. They are away to Waterford next Friday while Dundalk host St. Patrick’s Athletic the following day.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Andy Boyle, Daniel Cleary, Cameron Dummigan (Ryan O’Kane 78); Han Jeongwoo (Patrick McIleney HT), Raivis Jurkovskis (David McMillan 64), Chris Sheilds (C), Sam Stanton (Junior 64); Michael Duffy, Patrick Hoban, Ole Erik Midtskoen (Darragh Leahy 64).
Subs not used: Alessio Abibi; Greg Sloggett, Val Adedokun; Jesus Perez.
Booked: Hoban (11) Cleary (49) Junior (85) Leahy (89).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Tyreke Wilson, Andy Lyons (Rory Feely 50), James Finnerty, Rob Cornwall; Keith Ward (Dawson Devoy 83), Ross Tierney, Ali Coote (Ciaran Kelly 83), Liam Burt, Keith Buckley; Georgie Kelly.
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness; Anto Breslin, Brad Rolt, Jack Moylan; Robbie Mahon, Bastien Hery.
Booked: Finnerty (13) Wilson (78)
Referee: Robert Harvey
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Georgie Kelly (Bohemians)