Dundalk FC :: Match Reports

Bohemian FC 1-1 Dundalk FC // 26 February 2008 // Dalymount Park

Dundalk Fight Back to Earn Deserved Draw

Winger Paul Smyth grabbed a deserved equaliser for Dundalk just moments after entering as a second-half substitute, as the Lilywhites fought back to earn a well deserved draw with Premier Division hopefuls Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Tuesday night. Neale Fenn put Pat Fenlon’s men in front with a fine finish after the break, before Smyth bundled the ball home fifteen minutes later to pull the sides level.

In a game which saw John Gill use nineteen players, Dundalk started with a side which showed three changes to the one which lined-out at home to Shamrock Rovers last Thursday. In came Paul Marney, who slotted in at right-back, Paul Crowley, who made his first ever club start, and Robbie Farrell, with that trio replacing Trevor Vaughan and the rested pair of John Flanagan and David Cassidy. As the boss emptied his bench during the second period, youngsters Shane Grimes, Stefan McKevitt and Tiarnàn Mulvenna all got a run-out, while Shane Greene made his senior debut after being called up from the Youths team.

After cancelling each other out in the opening quarter of an hour, it was Bohemians who created the first clear opening, as Killian Brennan went close. The winger, signed from Derry City in the close-season, saw his corner blocked away, however, after retrieving the ball, the 24-year-old fired in a powerful, low struck rebound which forced ‘keeper Chris Bennion into a good save to put the ball behind. Soon after, the Scottish net-minder was again to his side’s rescue as he brilliantly tipped over a Darren Mansaram shot, after the striker had turned well just outside the area.

After losing Brennan to injury - the Drogheda-born player being replaced by John Paul Kelly - Bohs again threatened just after the half-hour as the Dundalk defence were caught cold. Right-winger Mark Rossiter showed an extra gear to get in behind left-back David Crawley, however, the hosts were again thwarted by a superb Bennion stop, as the 27-year-old ‘keeper blocked Rossiter’s effort after racing to the edge of his box - in an opening which was to be the last for either side before the break.

Following the resumption, Bohs continued to have the upper hand, and they netted a deserved lead goal on 56 minutes. Mansaram laid off Kelly’s cross neatly for Fenn just inside the area, and the 30-year-old finished superbly as he fired a crisp shot into the ‘keeper’s bottom left-hand corner. After falling behind, Dundalk responded well, and once again it was the introduction of subs which brought more life to the Lilywhites.

On 67 minutes, Gill decided upon making a triple substitution as he brought on Aidan Lynch, Trevor Vaughan and Paul Smyth, and it was the latter who fired the visitors level just four minutes after entering the pitch. Robbie Martin attempted an overhead kick from 15-yards, however, the striker’s effort only found Smyth on the right side of the area. The winger controlled well and squared for Crowley, however, his effort was cleared off the line, before Smyth’s rebound across goal found its way into the far corner.

Within moments, however, Bohs could have retaken the lead, as Mark Rossiter forced Bennion to push his 25-yard free-kick around the post, before Dundalk created an opportunity of their own as Martin’s stinging 30-yard effort was well held by Brian Murphy. In a good finish to the game, both sides continued in search of a late winner, and the home side almost got one right at the death, only for sub ‘keeper Aaron Shanahan to deny them with an unbelievable reflex save - one which earned the visitors a fine draw ahead of their trip to the Brandywell on Friday.

Match Fact - Dundalk’s equalising goal was the first that Bohs have conceded in their three home friendlies this year. The Gypsies had the best defensive record in the top flight last year, as they conceded just six goals in their seventeen home matches in the league!

dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: Chris Bennion (Dundalk)…His understudy Aaron Shanahan may have pulled off the save of the match in the dying seconds, however, there was no doubt about where the ‘Man of the Match’ accolade should go. Bennion produced a number of top quality saves in the opening half as he denied Killian Brennan, Darren Mansaram and Mark Rossiter. Neale Fenn’s opener gave the Scot no chance, however, just seconds after Smyth had equalised, Bennion again kept his side level with another fine stop as he did well to push away a Rossiter free-kick. In his three appearances to date, Shanahan has performed well, however, he will have an arduous task to dislodge his elder from the number one spot this year.

Bohemian FC (4-4-2): Brian Murphy; Owen Heary, Jason McGuinness, Ken Oman, Conor Powell (Brian McCarthy 65); Mark Rossiter (Stephen O’Donnell 74), Glenn Cronin, Kevin Hunt, Killian Brennan (John Paul Kelly 28); Darren Mansaram (Glen Crowe 80), Neale Fenn.
Goal: N Fenn (56).

Dundalk FC (4-4-2): Chris Bennion (Aaron Shanahan 83); Paul Marney, Ian Ryan (Shane Grimes 76), Ben Whelehan (Aidan Lynch 67), David Crawley; Jamie Duffy (Paul Smyth 67), Paul Shiels, Paul Crowley (Shane Greene 83), Davie O’Connor (Tiarnàn Mulvenna 76); Robbie Farrell (Trevor Vaughan 67), Robbie Martin (Stefan McKevitt 83).
Goal: P Smyth (71).
Subs Not Used: Billy Smith.