Bohemians 2
St Patrick’s Athletic 0
GOALS FROM ANTO Murphy and Karl Moore secured the bragging rights for Bohemians in tonight’s Dublin derby at Dalymount Park.
Goals in each half gave the Gypsies a 2-0 win against St Patrick’s Athletic, which sees Keith Long’s side close the gap on the Saints to five points.
Pat’s do have a game in hand, however, as they remain the favourites to secure fourth place and a spot in the Europa League next season in spite of tonight’s defeat.
The visitors started brightly this evening and went close early on through Christy Fagan, Conan Byrne and Jason McGuinness.
However, the opening goal came against the run of play when Anto Murphy swept home Eoin Wearen’s cross from close range in the 14th minute.
As Liam Buckley’s men searched for the equaliser, Bohs goalkeeper Dean Delany was forced into exellent saves to deny both McGuinness and Byrne.
The hosts almost doubled their lead in the 41st minute when Lorcan Fitzgerald fired a free-kick towards goal but no Bohs player was able to get a touch to divert it home.
Seven minutes after the restart, St Patrick’s Athletic’s hopes of getting back into the game were dealt an enormous blow when Jason McGuinness received a second yellow card for a foul on Ismahil Akinade, forcing referee Rob Harvey to reduce Pat’s to 10 men.
Fitzgerald later went close with another free-kick but Bohs did get their second in the 62nd minute. Jake Kelly teed up Karl Moore and his shot smacked the underside of the crossbar, with the assistant referee ruling that the ball had crossed the line.
Bohemians: Dean Delany Dylan Hayes, Dave Mulcahy, Anto Murphy, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Keith Buckley (Dan Byrne, 90), Roberto Lopes (Jason Byrne, 87), Eoin Wearen, Jake Kelly (Aaron Ashe, 87), Karl Moore, Ismahil Akinade.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Conor O’Malley, Ger O’Brien (Ian Morris, 36), Jason McGuinness, Shane McEleney, Ian Bermingham, James Chambers, Jamie McGrath (Jack Bayly 76), Sam Verdon (Morgan Langley 66), Conan Byrne, Christy Fagan, Aaron Greene.
Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin).
