Friendly Report: Dundalk 4 - 1 Bohemians

Dundalk continued their preparations for the SSE Airtricity League restart at the end of this month with a 4-1 win over Keith Long’s Bohemians at Oriel Park.

A first half penalty from midfielder Jordan Flores saw the Lilywhites go in 1-0 up at half time. Second half goals from Dane Massey, Sean Gannon and substitute Pat Hoban put Vinny Perth’s men into a 4-0 lead before  Promise Omochere scored a late consolation for the Gypsies.

Chances were at a premium early on. Dundalk defender Daniel Cleary rose highest to meet Michael Duffy’s corner after four minutes. However, his effort sailed safely wide of James Talbot’s post.

The next piece of action led to Dundalk taking the lead, as, after 14 minutes, former Sligo midfielder Kris Twardek handled the ball in the Lillywhites penalty area before Flores dispatched the subsequent spot kick.

Bohemians played well in areas, particularly in the first half and they nearly got in, as Andre Wright did well to play a ball down theft before playing low ball to Danny Grant who was flagged off-side when it looked like he could’ve been onside and in on Aaron McCarey’s goal.

Dundalk had a chance to double their lead on the half hour when Greg Sloggett found Duffy with a ball from the right, but the winger’s tame effort was easily collected by Talbot in the Bohs goal.

Shortly after there was a scare for Dundalk and Andy Boyle as he sliced Twardek’s cross just wide of his own goal.

Keith Ward has scored some wonderful goals in Ireland’s top flight down the years and just before the break he tried to add another one, however his 20 yard curling effort went safely wide of the Dundalk goal.

The home side doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half when full-back Massey tapped home a loose ball from a corner which had been won through hard work from forward Georgie Kelly.

Five minutes later Dundalk had their third. An exquisite long pass from Sloggett found Gannon who finished elegantly past Talbot from close range.

Shortly after that there was a raft of changes from both sides, leading to a slight lull in proceedings. However, one of those substitutes, Nathan Oduwa produced a moment of magic with a run, consisting of multiple step overs into the Bohs box before crossing for fellow substitute Hoban, only for his headed effort to bounce of the base of the post and to safety.

However, Hoban would make no mistake with his next headed effort, as five minutes from time the striker headed John Mountney’s corner past Talbot from six yards to make it 4-0 to the Lillywhites.

There was one bright moment on the night for Keith long’s men in the second half though, as late on, substitute Promise Omochere latched onto a loose ball in the Dundalk penalty area before firing the ball beyond McCarey in the Dundalk goal.

Both sides will continue to work towards the July 31^st restart with Dundalk entertaining St Pat’s live on RTE 2 on that Friday night while Bohemians travel  to face Cork City on Sunday, August 2^nd.

Dundalk: Aaron McCarey; Sean Gannon (Cameron Dummigan 64), Andy Boyle (Taner Dogan 82), Daniel Cleary (Darragh Leahy 64), Dane Massey; Daniel Kelly (John Mountney), Jordan Flores (Will Patching 46), Chris Shields (Stefan Colovic 64), Greg Sloggett (Josh Gatt 82), Michael Duffy (Nathan Oduwa 64); Georgie Kelly (Pat Hoban 64). 

Subs not used: Gary Rogers, Andrew Quinn, Lido Lotefa. 

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Patrick Kirk (Michael Barker 64), Rob Cornwall (Ross Tierney 64), Dan Casey (James Finnerty 64), Andy Lyons (Ciaran Kelly 64); Daniel Grant (Daniel Mandroiu 64), Dawson Devoy (Dinny Corcoran 64), Conor Levingston (Anto Breslin 64), Kris Twardek (JJ Lunney), Keith Ward (Keith Buckley 64); Andre Wright (Promise Omochere 64). 

Subs Not Used: Luke Wade Slater, Glen McAuley, Stephen McGuinness.

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

ExtraTime.com Player of the Match: Greg Sloggett (Dundalk).