Bohs defeat Shels as Heary hangs up boots

It was a day when the result didn’t matter. A day when the oldest current rivals in League of Ireland football came together to celebrate the legacy of a man who has won seven League of Ireland medals, two FAI Cups, a League Cup and a Setanta Sports Cup.

Owen Heary needs no introduction in League of Ireland circles. He is one of the few men to enjoy legendary status at both Shelbourne and Bohemians and a man who has captained both. He has plied his trade at the highest level of Irish football for 20 years and was today honoured for his services to the game.

Presented with an award prior to kick-off by his children, Owen, Ellie and Jack, he lined out for the first 45 minutes in the red of Shelbourne. The game itself was played at a typical testimonial pace, partly due to the fact that many of the players have been past their heyday for at least a decade now.

Despite this there were still glimpses of the class that many of the players exuded at the heights of their careers. Players such as Glen Crowe, Stephen Geoghegan, Ollie Cahill and Stuart Byrne donned their respective jersey one last time to pay tribute to Heary.

A beautifully clipped lob from Killian Brennan supplemented by a second goal from the St Pat’s midfielder, along with a tap-in from Neale Fenn saw The Gypsies 3-0 up at half-time.

The average age of the playing contingent was increased considerably in the second-half with the introduction of Fred Davis in the Shels goal. Davis was previously the Shels goalkeeping coach and now holds the same role at Bohs.

Shels and Bohs fans have asked us to tweet they are trying to get #ThankYouOwenHeary trending - @shelsfc@bohsofficial RT away

— Extratime.ie News (@ExtratimeNews) November 17, 2013

Heary switched jerseys at half-time, donning the white of Bohs for the second period. Glen Crowe added a fourth to Bohs’ tally soon after the break before the man of the moment bid his final farewell with a 40 yard lob over Davis that nestled in the Shels net.

Shels fan, Fran Reilly, who won the opportunity to play for The Reds today was unable to convert a penalty near the end in what would have been a dream moment. With the last kick of the game Dessie Baker restored some credibility for Shels when he found the back of the Bohs net.

But the day was about Owen Heary. Typically humble the Dubliner kept his post-match speech short and simple, thanking the fans, his family and his team-mates. As the PA system blared out ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra fans lined up for photos with the 37-year-old, a man who will always be fondly remembered by anyone associated with the domestic league in this country.

Bohemians Selection: Lee Murphy; Owen Heary, Thomas Heary, Anto Murphy, Jason McGuinness, Ken Oman, Ryan McEvoy, Jason Kavanagh, Conor Powell; Fergal Harkin, Dave Mulcahy, Stephen O’Donnell, Killian Brennan, Neale Fenn, Mark Rossiter; Glen Crowe.

Shelbourne selection: Steve Williams, Fred Davies; Owen Heary, Dave Rogers, Colin Hawkins, Kevin Doherty, Jamie Harris, Declan Geohegan; Richie Baker, Jospeh Ndo, Ollie Cahill, Stuart Byrne, Jim Crawford, Derek Pender; Fran Reilly, Stephen Geohegan, Dessie Baker, Glen Fitzpatrick, Jason Byrne.

Referee: Paul Tuite

Attendance: 1,044.