LOI 100 Week 13 - Bohs and Brewerymen still standing as Shels slide away

St James’s Gate

St James’s Gate Credit: Macdara Ferris (ETPhotos)

Date: Dublin 12 December 1921

And then there were two. St James’s Gate’s victory over Shelbourne in front of a large gathering of spectators at Shelbourne Park means that the Reds are out of the running for the first League of Ireland title.

The Gate had dropped five points in the previous three matches and may count themselves lucky to have avoided dropping at least one more on their visit to Ringsend for Shels had much the better of the exchanges and deserved at least a draw.  

Ultimately the result, a 2-0 win for the away side, was born of a combination of good defensive play from Murphy, McKay, and Heavey for the Gate, a stellar performance by Aungier in the Brewerymen’s nets, and the fact that all of the Reds showed a certain ineptitude in attack, apart from Foley, who had some impressive moments but lacked support.

Across the river Bohemians held on for a 1-0 win over Olympia, whose display matched the quality of their recent showing against the Gate. The first half was disappointing apart from Sheridan’s goal which came from a fine cross by Murray.

However, things were much better after the break and the slick play and tight scoreline kept the crowd at Dalymount in a state of nervous anticipation. Bohs held on thanks to an excellent display from their half back line, among whom Nash was particularly prominent.

Elsewhere, Jacobs put Leinster Senior Cup holders Dublin United to the sword with a 4-0 victory at Rutland Avenue. There was a late start at Claremont Road, where Frankfort started with only seven players. However, the northsiders were up to a full compliment by the time the Young Men took the lead. Frankfort managed to score an equaliser almost immediately but were hard pressed later in the game by YMCA who will regret not scoring while their opponents were short in numbers.

There was a major shock in the FAI Cup qualifying rounds as Shamrock Rovers were beaten 1-0 by Tipperary Wanderers. The Stripes will lodge an objection as it was felt that the provincial club’s goalposts and corner flags were not up to the required standard. 

All eyes will be on St James’s Park, Dolphin’s Barn next Saturday as Bohemians are the visitors for a winner takes all contest for league honours. Both sides are now on twenty-one points after 13 games. 

As the Irish Independent noted this morning, Bohemians found it hard to keep off the bottom of the old Irish League, even if they always attracted a good crowd at home, because it was sometimes difficult to get amateur players to travel to Belfast, but the North Dublin amateurs still command a large following due to the crowd’s enthusiasm and their ‘successful club executive’. These people will be keen to maintain Bohs’ tradition of success in Leinster competitions and deprive the Gate of the title of ‘League of Ireland Champions’. 



 

 

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