Shelbourne continue unbeaten league run after a thrilling derby clash against Bohemians

Irish Independent

a day ago

Shelbourne 2 Bohemians 2
League champions Shelbourne remain unbeaten in domestic competition under the guidance of new manager Joey O'Brien as, for the second time in four days, the Reds had the heading ability of attacker John Martin to thank for getting them what they needed against Bohemians.
Shels had come into 5,474 sell-out derby clearly in front of with minds very much on next Tuesday's Europa League tussle with Rijeka and that was highlighted by the the eight changes made by O'Brien to the side who came up with that thrilling win in Croatia last week.
But it seemed as if a lack of focus in their own box would harm the Reds here and cost them points that are vital in the race to secure European football for next season.
Bohs got their first goal from a calamitous error by defender Lewis Temple but their second, after they'd weathered long spells of pressure from the Reds, was also nightmare viewing as a cross/shot from Dawson Devoy carried little menace but still crept past keeper Wessel Speel.
But Martin, whose stunning header in Rijeka earned them that 2-1 first leg win, came up with another piece of skill and guile in the 90th minute to earn Shels a 2-2 draw which is of more benefit to leaders Shamrock Rovers than any of the participants here, with their rivals dropping points now with regularity.
Any fans who chanced one more pre-match pint in the beer gardens around the Dublin 3 venue and were thus late arrivals will have missed some of the key moments as this game ignited from the off, with two goals in the first 10 minutes.
Shels were ahead in the third minute and it was a poor goal from a defensive point of view for Bohs.
Mipo Odubeko was given time to control the ball in the box and play in a pass for the unmarked Dan Kelly to fire home against his former club.
Bohs were level shortly after that, a goal that Shels defender Temple will want to erase from his online reel of career moments. Temple picked up a bass from Kameron Ledwidge but Temple didn't check before he played it back to keeper Speel as the Dutchman was far off his line, the ball trickled towards the goal line and Connor Parsons managed to get the key touch to nudge it into the net.
Shels responded well to that blow and took the game to Bohs. Kacper Chorazka pulled off a solid save to deny Odubeko on 12 minutes, while there were further efforts from Sean Moore and Ali Coote.
Bohs did have possession but found it hard to work the ball into frontman James Clarke and shots from Ross Tierney on 36 minutes and Parsons in first half injury time were well wide.
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The home side began the second half with more intent, with Chorazka again a key figure three minutes after the restart with a strong save to deny Odubeko.
Bohs had offered little in terms of attack as possession and set pieces were wasted, but Shels paid the price for their lack of precision when Devoy put Bohs ahead on 76 minutes, Rooney playing the ball to Devoy after a corner was cleared and the Bohs captain was probably surprised to see his shot go past Speel.
Shels threw on the first teamers who had been rested from the starting XI as men like Kerr McInroy and JJ Lunney took the game to Bohs, but as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, Sean Gannon whipped in a cross, Martin got in between three defenders and rammed it home with his head.
There was almost a late winner for Bohs as a slip in possession by McInroy handed possession to sub Douglas James-Taylor who raced from the halfway line but Speel got there and cleared.
Shelbourne: Speel; Gannon Ledwidge, Temple; Kelly (Norris 72), Coyle (Lunney 60), Chapman (McInroy 80), Caffrey; Moore (Martin 60), Coote (Wood 60); Odubeko.
Bohemians: Chorazka; Kavanagh (Buckley 86), Cornwall, Flores; McDonnell, Devoy; Morahan, Rooney (L Smith 77) Tierney, Parsons (James-Taylor 63); Clarke (Byrne 86).