League Report: Shamrock Rovers 0 - 1 Bohemians

Dave Donnelly reports from Tallaght Stadium

Former Shamrock Rovers trialist Eoghan Stokes returned to haunt the Hoops with a second-half goal to earn Bohemians a third win of the season over the Hoops.

All the pre-match talk surrounded Dylan Watts first Dublin derby against the side he left last month, but it was Stokes who who had the final say as he was sprung from the bench in the second half.

An error from the hapless Roberto Lopes – which would become a theme of the night – allowed Keith Buckley to slide in Keith Ward midway through the second half.

Lopes recovered to make a tackle on Ward but got tangled in the defender's legs and Stokes picked up the ball before sliding the ball effortlessly past Alan Mannus in the Rovers goal.

The first chance of the game fell Rovers' way as Dan Carr did well down the left before teeing up Aaron Bolger, whose cross was headed just past the post by Joel Coustrain.

An unforced error from Joey O'Brien almost let in Ward but the midfielder didn't quite have the pace to get away from the former Bolton Wanderers man.

Aaron Greene looked certain to pen the scoring when Carr left Bohemians captain Derek Pender for dead and teed up the striker only for an incredible block from Darragh Leahy to deny him.

There followed the game's first flashpoint as Daniel Kelly breezed past Roberto Lopes in the box and, though he was running away from goal, the ex-Bohs defender was drawn into a tackle.

Lopes appeared to make some contact with the pacey winger but referee Neil Doyle was unmoved and waved away the Gypsies' penalty appeals.

Leahy – who was the game's outstanding player by some measure – went close from Kevin Devaney's corner but his header, which may have been trickling wide, was turned away by Mannus.

The game opening up as half time approached, Aaron Greene thrashed a shot into the side netting after he was played in by Watts.

Ward should have done better when teed up by Leahy moments later, before the same player sliced his shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

The visitors having had the better of the first half, the momentum shifted after the break, particularly when Greg Bolger replaced Aaron Bolger, who had grown quieter as the game went on.

Carr wasn't far from a spectacular opener just past the hour when Ethan Boyle played in Coustrain and he picked out the striker, but his volley was wide of the top corner.
And just as it looked like Rovers were pushing to make their pressure count on the scoreboard, disaster struck from yet another neeedless defensive error and Stokes took full advantage.

The visitors sat back in the final quarter as they protected their hard-earned lead and, while subs Brandon Miele and Brandon Kavanagh were lively, they struggled to create.

Kavanagh looked sure to equalise late on when he was left free in the box but Leahy – yet again – came from nowhere to hook a foot around the ball and emerge with possession.

There was time for one final chance for Rovers as a Finn ball over the top caught out Dan Casey and Kavanagh looked to race through, but play was called back for what looked an unfair offside call.

Boos rang out around Tallaght Stadium at the full whistle and some fans voiced their displeasure at the management ticket as Rovers finish the season with just one point from four games with their hated rivals.

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Ethan Boyle, Roberto Lopes, Joey O'Brien, Sean Kavanagh; Aaron Bolger (Greg Bolger 54), Ronan Finn, Dylan Watts; Joel Coustrain (Brandon Miele 75), Aaron Greene (Brandon Kavanagh 75), Dan Carr.

Subs not used: Gavin Bazunu (gk), Ally Gilchrist, Sam Bone, Greg Bolger, Brandon Kavanagh, Brandon Miele, Gary Shaw.

Booked: Joey O'Brien (84).

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Dan Casey, Ian Morris, Darragh Leahy; Keith Buckley, Keith Ward (Danny Grant 78), JJ Lunney; Daniel Kelly (Dan Byrne 88), Kevin Devaney (Eoghan Stokes 64), Dinny Corcoran.

Subs not used: Sean Bohan (gk), Dan Byrne, Andy Lyons, Oscar Brennan, Danny Grant, Cristian Magerusan, Eoghan Stokes.

Booked: Danny Grant (84).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 4,150 (official).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Darragh Leahy (Bohemians).