Bohemians 3
Finn Harps 1
Harry Manning reports from Dalymount Park
BOHEMIANS SEALED A top-five Premier Division finish after a dynamic performance swept away already-relegated Finn Harps at Dalymount Park.
First-ever Bohs goals for Philly Gannon and Jamie Hamilton either side of an Izzy Akinade strike wrapped up a deserved 3-1 win for Keith Long’s side.
The hosts made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark when Gannon was released in on goal and despite Ciaran Gallagher making the initial stop, the 21-year-old displayed steely determination to pick up the pieces and poke the ball into a gaping net.
Five minutes later, the Gypsies were given a golden opportunity to double their advantage when a Packie Mailey handball inside the area forced Rob Hennessy to point straight to the spot. Dinny Corcoran stepped up but was denied his 16th league goal of the season as his scuffed shot rebounded off the outside of the left post.
The Gypsies continued to pile the pressure on their Donegal opponents in the second-half and pulled three ahead after two goals in quick succession.
Just after the hour mark, Derek Pender fizzed a ball across the box which Akinade hammered home. Four minutes later, an inch-perfect Oscar Brennan pass found Hamilton lurking at the back post and the 18-year-old turned it home with a cute finish.
With 15 minutes remaining, Ollie Horgan’s side cut the deficit to two after Paddy McCourt’s corner caused chaos in the Bohs box resulting in the ball bouncing off Ian Morris and rolling into the net.
Alas, the points were already secured for the Gypsies who now finish in a highly respectable fifth after Bray Wanderers fell 1-0 to champions Cork City.
BOHEMIANS: Colin McCabe; John Ross Wilson, Warren O’Hora(Georgie Poynton, 46), Dan Casey, Derek Pender; Patrick Kavanagh (Jamie Hamilton, 37), Ian Morris, Oscar Brennan; Philly Gannon (Eoin Wearen, 70); Ismahil Akinade Dinny Corcoran
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Killian Cantwell, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Danny Morrisey, Mark Timlin (Lee Walsh, 80), Gareth Harkin (Paddy McCourt, 60), Eddie Dsane; Ibrahim Keita, Caolan McAleer (Sean Houston, 68)
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Clare)
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