O'Neill's buzz bamboozles Bohs

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=10781


DUBLIN CITY 2

BOHEMIANS 1

David Kelly

EVEN at this early stage, this dismal defeat may sound the death knell to Bohemians' chances of regaining their league title, stranded as they now are seven points behind champions Shelbourne, as valiant Dublin City recorded an historic first Premier Division win at the eighth attempt.

Dublin City had employed a five-man midfield successfully in purloining the sole point of their campaign against St Pat's a fortnight ago, and manager John Gill fancied that by replicating that tactic, he may achieve a similar result. He was so right.

In truth, Stephen Kenny's men forfeited a hat-trick of chances to secure the win in the first half, with James Keddy and Glen Crowe, returning after a costly two-match absence during which his side conceded crucial ground in the title race, particularly culpable from close range.

Young Stephen Ward, maintaining his place ahead of Tony Grant, was also guilty of laxity in front of goal when, after being played delightfully through by the lively Bobby Ryan, he shot weakly at a grateful Robbie Horgan in the 20th minute.

City's unwillingness to commit too many numbers in attack ceded much of the territorial advantage to their opponents. In Keith Foy, though, they possessed an admirable weapon whose left foot was used to lethal advantage to provide the shock lead goal for his side in the 23rd minute.

From a fairly innocuous position, square on to Matt Gregg's goal, Foy delivered a wickedly deviating delivery which flummoxed both goalkeeper and Damien Lynch, allowing the alert Gary O'Neill to elude both men and flick a deft header to the net.

Not even Bohs could have imagined the prosaic manner in which they would achieve equality just two minutes later. It was route one at its finest, albeit decorated with a touch of sublime intuition.

Gregg's seemingly hopeful long punt was cushioned superbly by Crowe on the edge of an area seemingly patrolled by Paul Crowley. Horgan, unwisely believing the danger was covered, was barely yards away, but his accelerated retreat was bettered by Crowe's speed of thought, as the Irish international tastefully clipped the ball beyond him.

Gary O'Neill might have regained the lead early in the second half, as he benefited from substitute Colin Hawkins' inability to clear, but the ex-Bohs man blasted over.

But it was O'Neill's indomitable spirit which directly led to his side regaining the lead against the run of play. As Terry Gleeson hoofed a Bohs' corner upfield, O'Neill turned Lynch this way and that, before forcing the tackle which was punished by Foy's clinical 68th minute spot-kick. Gill couldn't watch. For entirely different reasons, Stephen Kenny might have done likewise.

Dublin City: Horgan; Burke, Whelehan, Griffin, Byrne; O'Connor, Crowley, Colwell, Gleeson (McGill 70), Foy (Brennan 81); O'Neill (Hughes 81).

Bohemians: Gregg; Lynch, Caffrey, McNally (harkin 73), Webb; Ryan, Hunt, Heary (Hawkins 45), Keddy (Grant 64); Ward, Crowe.

Ref: A Kelly (Cork).