Drogheda leave it late at Dalymount to pile pressure on Bohemians

Irish Daily Mirror

2 days ago

DAWSON DEVOY gave one of the great individual performances of the season, but collectively Bohemians fell short in a devastating title blow.And it was all because of Drogheda defender Conor Keeley who was in inspired form himself, keeping the Gypsies at bay time and again before teeing up the late winner.Going into this Dalymount clash, Drogs were the only team that Bohs had failed to get any points off this season - and that's how it remains after drama at the death.Just as the game appeared to be heading for a scoreless draw, last season's FAI Cup winners pounced to snatch victory with four minutes to go.Keeley intercepted a ball to Ross Tierney on the edge of the Drogheda box and instantly played a precision pass to sub striker Josh Thomas over the halfway line.And the on-loan Swansea City ace turned on the turbo boosters to scorch Rob Cornwall and Niall Morahan in a 40-yard foot race, before coolly slotting home.Yes, it was smash and grab but Drogheda's mission to frustrate and be compact served them well once again as they closed to within a point of second spot.Second-placed Bohs knew they had to make inroads on Shamrock Rovers' seven-point lead to stand any chance of forcing a title race with their arch rivals.But considering the possession they enjoyed and the way Devoy pulled the strings, there's no escaping the fact this was a big opportunity missed and a costly night.And particularly so if the league-leading Hoops stretch into a 10-point lead if they beat Derry City at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday night.Bohs fans still clapped their team off the pitch and particularly Devoy who was the catalyst for the Gypsies best work.Dare Kareem brought early life to Drogs' attack and when Cian Byrne lost possession in the opening minutes, the big teenager fired off a shot that was saved.But Devoy took the game by the scruff of the neck and was centrally involved in almost every Bohs attack.He showed exquisite vision to spot Tierney's little run in behind the Drogheda defence but Tierney was thwarted by Luke Dennison who saved with his knee.But Drogheda won't bow down to anyone and Keeley wasn't far away from opening the scoring when he hooked an effort over the Bohs crossbar.And his centre-back partner-in-crime Andrew Quinn went close too, stabbing a shot at goal from close range that had Kacper Chorazka at full-stretch.Bohs continued to lord possession after the break but Drogs refused to bend, although penalty appeals were scuppered when Luke Heeney was booked for diving.At the other end, a neat Bohs one-two between James Clarke and Colm Whelan saw Clarke fire at goal only for man mountain Keeley to divert it off course.Devoy was outstanding, but so too was Keeley and yet he and the entire Drogheda defence looked on helplessly when Tierney met Connor Parsons' cross on the volley.Bohs fans were on their feet, certain that Tierney struck it as well as he could have wished for only to see it nestle in the side netting with 17 minutes to play.
And they were left to rue that squandered opportunity when Keeley set the wheels in motion for Thomas to silence Dalymount by winning it at the death.