Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Bohemians
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
By Jamie Moore at Tallaght Stadium.
Bohemians eased relegation fears and earned the Dublin derby bragging rights with this win over rivals Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.
Dinny Corcoran and the returning Izzy Akinade were the heroes.
Rovers had equalised through Dave McAllister before sub Sean Boyd should have equalised again in the final minutes in front of 4,524 fans.
Bohs took the lead in the 27th minute – and if Shane Long was watched, the goal may remind him of something.
Dinny Corcoran picked the ball up just inside the Rovers half, his clever back-heel nut-megged Dave Webster to find strike partner Izzy Akinade. He powered through and SMASHED the ball into the top corner from inside the box.
It was a brilliant finish and his first goal of the season on his first start this season after illness.
He ran to celebrate in front of the Rovers fans and was yellow carded for his troubles.
One Shamrock Rovers fan ran onto the pitch, he was taken away by the Gardai.
Drama
Rovers equalised three minutes later.
Graham Burke’s cross was blocked, but it bounced back to Brandon Meile, who took a touch and volleyed it into the box.
Dave McAllister’s bullet header flew beyond Shane Supple and in to make it 1-1.
Bohs should have been 2-1 ahead before the break, but Corcoran’s header from Rob Cornwall’s cross bounced off the post, while Tomer Chencinski saved Derek Pender’s powerful shot.
Brandon Miele’s free kick was well held by Supple as the half drew to a close.
Winner
Bohs went 2-1 ahead in the 55th minute and it was a goal Shamrock Rovers should have avoided.
Rovers’ defender Sam Bone had been off getting treatment for a head injury, and had just returned.
Lorcan Fitzgerald’s long throw found Akinade, and his ball over the top found Corcoran, his touch allowed the ball to bounce over Luke Byrne’s head, his next touch was to volley it into the goal and put his team 2-1 ahead.
A clearly dazed Bone was then replaced by Sean Boyd as Rovers’ made a defensive reshuffle with Trevor Clarke move to left-back and Luke Byrne to centre-back.
Rovers pushed for an equaliser but The Gypsies held firm.
Sean Boyd missed a glorious chance to equalise for his team in injury time, but shot wide, he should have scored.
That win moves Keith Long's team seven points above the relegation zone, Rovers are still outside the European places and if Derry win on Sunday, The Hoops will have it all to do.
Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski; Simon Madden, Sam Bone (Sean Boyd, 56), Dave Webster, Luke Byrne; Dave McAllister, Ryan Connolly (Michael O’Connor, 81); Brandon Miele, Graham Burke, Trevor Clarke; Gary Shaw.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Dylan Hayes; Rob Cornwall, Warren O’Hora, Derek Pender (Ian Morris, 81); Paddy Kavanagh (Georgie Poynton, 70), Fuad Sule, Oscar Brennan, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Dinny Corcoran (Ciaran O'Connor, 89), Izzy Akinade.
Referee: Ben Connolly
