Bohemians 1 - 3 UCD

Two goals in a frantic opening ten minutes, supplemented by another with ten minutes to go, was enough to see UCD overcome Bohemians in a relegation six-pointer at Dalymount Park on Friday evening.

Bohs haven’t won a home game since 26^th April and they couldn’t change that trend here. The absence of Dave Mulcahy and Chris Lyons was always going to make it tough for The Gypsies and they certainly did lack ammunition going forward.

Bohs started off the stronger of the two sides, stringing passes together and opening up UCD’s back four. After just seven minutes they made the most of their possession and did something that they’ve been struggling to do all season- take their chances. Karl Moore’s corner from the right-hand side allowed Dinny Corcoran to challenge for the ball in the six yard box. The ball eventually dropped onto the head of Anto Murphy who nodded into the top corner.

Just three minutes later Karl Moore’s cut-in from the right wing saw him unleash a low shot that was too hot for Mark McGinley to hold onto. Dinny Corcoran nipped in to chip it back in towards the goal mouth but Mick Leahy cleared with his head.

Bohs’ lead didn’t last long however. Fresh from his goal of the season contender last week, Craig Walsh attempted to lob Dean Delany from the corner of the box forcing the Bohs net minder to push the ball over the bar.

The resulting corner was whipped into the back post by Sean Russell where it was met by Cillian Morrison who volleyed home, first time. 

The game was being played at a frantic pace that matched the crucial importance of the clash for both sides.

This was demonstrated again just four minutes later when UCD won a free-kick 20 yards from the Bohs goal. Walsh stepped up to attempt to beat Delany again and very nearly did so. A beautifully clipped shot hit the crossbar and rebounded to David O’Connor who stroked it into an open net from close range. So, just 13 minutes after going behind, UCD were now ahead.

In the next six minutes Bohs had two chances to grab an equaliser. First Corcoran headed over before McGinley was completely eluded by a cross from the right wing. The ball bounced in the six yard box allowing Conor Murphy to head towards goal but Walsh was on the line to clear.

With just 27 minutes gone and there had been three goals, two yellow cards, the crossbar hit and a goal-line clearance. This certainly wasn’t going to be a quiet night.

It was another corner kick that caused havoc in the Bohs box again on 38 minutes. Russell’s cross wasn’t dealt with at all convincingly and a goal-mouth scramble ensued. This eventually resulted in Hugh Douglas blazing over the bar from close range.

The second half began much the same as the first with Bohs enjoying most of the possession. Corcoran’s knock down from a Ciarán Nagle cross found its way to Keith Buckley on the edge of the box who whistled a volley inches wide of The Students goal.

The game was void of chances until the 65^th minute when Craig Walsh yet again stung the palms of Delany with a long range free-kick that found its way under the wall. Delany was up to it this time though and held on well.

One minute later Anto Murphy forced McGinley into a save with a shot off the back of his own long throw-in that was only half cleared.

The Gypsies kept pushing on in search of an equalising goal and they nearly found one on 71 minutes. Karl Moore’s sublime cross to the back post was met by a charging Luke Byrne but his header could only find the side netting.

Standout Bohs performer, Anto Murphy, saw a header of his own saved by McGinley minutes later. The home side were now camped in the UCD half and had reason to appeal for a penalty with 15 minutes to go when Karl Moore’s shot seemed to bounce up and hit the hand of Mick Leahy. Referee Paul Tuite waved away the appeals however.

It looked as though the only team to score another goal would be Bohs but, alas, this is football; nothing is predictable. Yet again Bohs failed to properly defend a Sean Russell corner and, after the ball ping-ponged around the six yards area, it fell to Dean Clarke who fired home from a tight angle.

Bohs continued to go in search of a second goal in the dying minutes but they couldn’t find one. Another defeat for the Phibsborough side spells yet more danger as they stay rooted to the bottom of the table.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Anto Murphy, Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne; Karl Moore, Keith Buckley, Darragh Reynor (Shane Murray, 87), Andy Mulligan (Ciaran Nangle 8 (Dave Scully 82)); Conor Murphy, Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not used: Greg Murray (GK), Stephen Traynor, Kevin Devaney, Michael Barker.

Booked: Pender (20), C Murphy (34), A Murphy (65).

UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas (Michael Kelly, 82), David O’Connor, Mick Leahy, Sean Russell; Robert Benson, Craig Walsh, Robert Creevy, Gary Burke (Tom O’Halloran, 72), Dean Clarke; Cillian Morrison (Gareth Mathews, 46).
Subs not used: Ger Barron (GK), Barry McCabe, Tomas Boyle, Samir Belhout.

Booked: Morrison (26).

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendance: 1,253

Extratime.ie man of the match: Craig Walsh (UCD) - he created the corner which led to the first goal, took the free-kick which resulted in the second goal and didn’t stop running all night.