By Killian McHale
Rovers made it back-to-back away wins with a dominant display at Dalymount Park, as the Hoops ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Neil Farrugia & Rory Gaffney on either side of half-time.
Coming into this game, Stephen Bradley made three changes to his side from last week’s win at Oriel Park, with Dylan Watts, Markus Poom, and Graham Burke all coming into the starting eleven in place of Gary O’Neill, Richie Towell, and Johnny Kenny who were suffering the effects of a virus that swept through the camp in the lead up to the game.
In front of a sold-out Dalymount Park, it was the hosts who had the early opportunities, with Ali Coote shooting narrowly wide after just 4 minutes. Dylan Connolly broke free down the right wing, with his pull-back finding the Scotsman on the edge of the 18-yard box, but his effort flew just wide of Alan Mannus’ right-hand post.
Moments later it was Rovers who came close when Graham Burke fired inches over James Talbot’s crossbar with an effort from distance.
Both sides continued to create chances inside the opening half-hour, with Coote forcing Mannus into a low save before James Talbot had to be on his toes to hold onto a Graham Burke cross which deflected goal-wards off Krystian Nowak in the Bohemians box.
Time was almost up in the first half when Rovers eventually found the breakthrough with a minute left in normal time. Graham Burke raced down the left wing before his cross evaded everyone in the Bohs box. Jack Byrne picked up the loose ball, beat two Bohs defenders and his cross was glanced home by Neil Farrugia at the near post to net the opener – Farrugia’s first of the season.
Rovers saw out the four minutes of added time in the first half to head into the break with a deserved lead.
The second half started in scrappy fashion, with both sides picking up two yellow cards a-piece inside the opening 15 minutes, with Lee Grace & Dan Cleary cautioned by referee Rob Harvey.
After the hour mark, Rovers took control of the game, with Markus Poom having an effort from 20 yards fly just wide of Talbot’s goal, before Burke just failed to get on a ball into the box from strike-partner Rory Gaffney from the left channel.
The Hoops were well on top and our persistent pressure paid off in the 67th minute when we doubled our lead through Rory Gaffney. A Jack Byrne free-kick wasn’t defended properly, as the ball fell to the feet of Gaffney at the back post who fired under the legs of James Talbot to give the Hoops breathing space.
It was close to being three just minutes later when Gaffney was played in on goal, but his dinked effort dropped just over the crossbar, much to the relief of the home side.
Our set pieces were causing problems all night and with 10 minutes left, Lee Grace almost made it 3-0 only for the outstretched Talbot to deny the Tipperary man.
Stephen Bradley’s side comfortably saw out the remaining minutes of the game, using all five substitutions available, as Rovers secured a thoroughly deserved three points on Derby Day.
It’s a turnaround for the Hoops, as we return to action on Easter Monday with UCD the visitors to Tallaght in an 8pm kick-off.
Bohemians: Talbot (GK); Horton, Radkowski, Nowak, Kirk; Buckley © (59’ McManus), McDonnell; McDaid (69’ O’Sullivan), Coote (76’ Williams), Connolly (69’ Twardek); Afolabi.
Bohemians Unused Substitutions: Luke Dennison (GK), Jay Benn, Jordan Flores, Andrew Baker.
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Cleary, Hoare, Grace ©; Farrugia, Watts (90’ Clarke), Poom, Kavanagh (90’ Lopes); Byrne (90’ Ferizaj), Burke (81’ Kenny), Gaffney (81’ Nugent).
Shamrock Rovers Unused Substitutions: Leon Pohls (GK), Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn, Gideon Tetteh.
