McEVOY LEAVES IT LATE
SHELBOURNE 1
BOHEMIANS 2
A LATE, late strike by Ryan McEvoy, as well a sensational finish by Peter McMahon, proved decisive in Tolka Park last night, as Bohemians took all three points against ten-man Shelbourne.
It was a tight and tense opening, and although the passion and commitment of both sides could not be denied, the game as a contest needed something to spark it into life.
It almost arrived 24 minutes in when a Keith Ward free on the right found its way towards Dave Mulcahy at the far post, but the former St Pat’s stalwart was off-target.
Shels did have the ball in the back of the Bohs net through the head of Philly Gorman just past the half-hour mark, but the goal was ultimately ruled out.
Bohs received a boost on 33 minutes when Shels midfielder John Sullivan received a straight red-card for a late tackle on McEvoy.
But against the odds, Alan Mathews’ side took the lead on the verge of half-time when former Bohs man Glen Cronin buried a spot-kick past Sexton.
Parity
It would only take Bohs eight second-half minutes to restore parity, and they did it in quite extraordinary fashion, as McMahon beat the helpless Dean Delany with a spectacular bicycle kick via the underside of the crossbar.
The impressive McEvoy would prove to be the hero for Bohs, as he struck on the stroke of full-time from a pull-back on the right to give his side all three points.
SHELBOURNE: Delany 7; Matthews 6, Boyle 7, Shortall 7 (Ryan 49, 6), Clancy 7; Murphy 7, Sullivan 5, Cronin 7, Kavanagh 7; Hughes 6 (Dawson 37, 6), Gorman 7 (P Byrne 77, 6). Subs not used: Paisley, C Byrne, McGill, Skinner.
BOHEMIANS: Sexton 7; Pender 7, Lopez 7 (Mulligan 74, 6), McMillan 6, Feely 7; Buckley 7, McEvoy 8, Ward 7, Mulcahy 7, McMahon 7 (Moore 65, 6); O’Connor 6 (Scully 55, 6). Subs not used: Murray, Martin, Mahon, Traynor.
REFEREE: D McKeon (Dublin).
ATTENDANCE: 1,489.