Bohemians 2
Limerick 0
IT WAS BACK to the future for Bohemians as veteran striker Jason Byrne and skipper Dave Mulcahy proved to be the decisive difference for the Dalymount side as they overcame Limerick 2-0 in a decent battle on Friday.
The fixture between these two didn’t promise much as neither can qualify for Europe or get relegated but Owen Heary will be pleased with his side’s commitment to the cause in building for next year.
Russell on the other hand will be frustrated to see his side lose to Bohemians for the third time in four games this year.
In the build-up to this game Martin Russell talked up his side’s run of form on their travels to Dublin recently – having beaten UCD, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in their last three visits — but they couldn’t muster up the same intensity early on in this fixture.
In a dull opening half hour the football resembled something more like a poker game as neither side were keen to show their hand.
The first real chance of the game fell to Bohemians after a mistake by Rory Gaffney let Dinny Corcoran slip in behind the Limerick defence but his shot was brilliantly turned over by Barry Ryan in the Limerick goal.
Corcoran’s strike partner, Jason Byrne nearly unlocked the tie minutes later only to see his wonderful volley sail wide.
Limerick threatened to unlock the defence themselves but never made any worthwhile breakthrough that stung the gloves of home goalkeeper Delaney.
Byrne eventually gave the fans something to cheer about after a dull opening half hour when he got on the end of his initial shot to supply the rebound.
‘Old man Jayo’ as the home faithful call him celebrated his goal by pretending to walk with a walking stick.
Martin Russell would have been happy to get his side in at the break after no shots on target in the last 10 minutes of the half telling it’s own story.
Bohemians were more then happy to soak up the pressure to close out the first half but Jason Byrne nearly got a second after an error from Limerick’s Shane O’Connor allowed Jason Byrne a free volley on goal but it was well saved by Barry Ryan.
The half time break allowed some respite for Limerick.
The southern side were relying on their star man and SWAI player of the month, Rory Gaffney, to be their catalyst to spark them into life but the front man was well marshalled by a disciplined Bohs defence.
Captain Dave Mulcahy then got on the end of a Karl Moore to head home to the delight of the home crowd to complete a satisfying night for the Gypsies.