In a gripping Derby clash in north Dublin at Dalymount Park, Bohemians managed to secure a last-minute equalsier, delivered by Ross Tierney, against title aspirants Shelbourne in the League of Ireland Premier Division match which resulted in a 1-1 draw. The scoring opened with Matty Smith bringing Shelbourne in the lead just prior to the 60th minute. However, the increasingly formidable Bohemians turned the tables with a well-deserved equalising goal on the 83rd minute. This came about after a foul on Dawson Devoy by John O’Sullivan who had been brought in as a substitute.
The game saw the ball manuevred into the goal area by Danny Grant following Dayle Rooney’s free kick. In a cunning move, the ball was passed off to Tierney by Rooney and it was then that Tierney skilfully maneuvered past Shelbourne’s captain, Mark Coyle, sending a shot that deflected slightly off O’Sullivan and nestled in the net.
The resulting draw can be stated as a significant point for both teams. Having suffered solely one loss in their past eight matches, Bohemians are now a confident eight points ahead of Drogheda United, who sit second to last, with an advantage of one game in hand. For Shelbourne, still aiming for their inaugural Premier Division title in 18 years, the point proved valuable as it enabled them to maintain a four-point lead over Derry City at the pinnacle of the table.
Two alterations were made by Damien Duff for his Shelbourne team that had managed a victory against Dundalk the previous week, thus restoring their position at the top of the table. These changes included bringing on board both Smith and Evan Caffrey. Meanwhile, Bohemians, high from their victory against Shamrock Rovers the previous Sunday, began the game aggressively. Jordan Flores, the team’s captain who scored both goals in their previous win against Shelbourne in April, returned to their lineup following a period of injury.
Ultimately, Shelbourne had the first clear shot at goal, four minutes into the game.
The determined play of Aiden O’Brien led to him breaking into the Bohemians’ territory to make a cross. Unfortunately, Ali Coote was unable to reach the back post quickly enough to conclude the attack. However, the Bohemians also showcased their relentless spirit by putting pressure on Shelbourne during their first remarkable attack within 12 minutes.
Rooney, Tierney, and Grant all participated before Grant set up Rooney, whose robust drive from the area’s fringe was courageously obstructed by Coyle. Shels’ Paddy Barrett had to race back to impede James Clarke’s angled shot, deflecting it out for a corner, after Tierney’s intelligent pass put him in a scoring position.
Amidst the struggle of Shelbourne to seize any ownership of the ball, as Bohemians held the lead, Clarke made an impressive sprint from the left leading to Tierney powering a first-time shot over Conor Kearns’ crossbar. Within a minute, Shelbourne posed a serious threat for the first time. A cross from Coote bounced back to Harry Wood, whose shot towards the goal was deflected out for a corner by Flores.
The visitors experienced the most significant evasion in the first half following another strategic move by Bohemians on 36 minutes. Tierney broke free on the right after a throw-in. His cross was skillfully bypassed by Adam McDonnell, permitting Clarke to make a speedy turn and a well-directed shot. Sean Gannon, being well-placed, evaded the line, with Devoy’s follow-up shot being taken up directly by Kearns.
Starting stronger from the pause, Shelbourne took the first angered shot six minutes in, with Wood employing impressive skill to fire over the top from a distance. In spite of having had little presence in the game during the first half, they took the lead just prior to the 60-minute mark. A foul on Smith earned Devoy a yellow card, Coote then moved the dead ball to the left to Wood who then flicked it toward the area.
Although it seemed that the threat had been neutralised when the ball fell to Flores in a cleared area, the skipper of the Gypsies astonishingly sliced his clearance attempt directly to Smith, who with great control, turned and blasted the ball into the net from close range.
Despite an early setback, Bohemians didn’t falter and regrouped themselves, eventually earning their well-deserved equaliser courtesy of Tierney. The line-up for Bohemians featured Chorazka; Smith, Byrne, Kavanagh, and Flores, who was replaced by Kirk at the 67th minute. McDonnell traded places with Meekison at the 55th minute, joined by Devoy, Grant, who was later swapped with McDaid at the 85th mark, Tierney, Rooney, and Clarke who made way for Akintunde at the 67th minute.
Shelbourne’s squad consisted of Kearns, Gannon, Barrett, Griffin and Wilson, the last of whom was substituted with Ledwidge in the 86th minute; Coyle and Caffrey; Coote and Wood, who got replaced by Martin and O’Sullivan at the 75th and 68th minutes respectively. Smith was swapped with Burt at the 68th minute and O’Brien made way for Boyd in the 75th minute.
Neil Doyle from Dublin officiated the match which drew a sizeable crowd of 4,429 spectators.