Bohemians 0 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

A depleted Shamrock Rovers held out for a point in a dull affair at Dalymount Park on Monday afternoon. The visitors were reduced to ten men on 36 minutes when centre half Derek Foran received his second yellow after a challenge on Karl Moore.

The Dalymount pitch was cause for some concern as neither team were able to enforce their preferred passing style of football on the bumpy surface.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side after a Ryan McEvoy corner found its way back to his feet, his cross found the on-rushing Chris Lyons whose flick was well cleared by Jason McGuinness.

The intensity of the opening exchanges had all the hallmarks of a local derby game. A corner from Thomas Stewart was well cleared by Roberto Lopes, the ball found its way to the feet of Pat Sullivan whose twenty yard power drive flew over Dean Delany’s crossbar.

The majority of the opening period was played in the middle quarter of the pitch. When given the opportunity the left axis of Luke Byrne and Karl Moore were a constant threat for the Phibsborough outfit. On the half hour they combined before the former’s low cross found Lyons whose skewed effort from twelve yards was off target.

A McEvoy free kick found Keith Buckley on the back post, but the winger could only direct his effort against the side netting.

That Byrne, Moore channel was again to prove crucial on 36 minutes when great work from the left back and substitute Shane Murray sent Moore clear, the winger tipped the ball past Derek Foran whose clumsy challenge saw referee Neil Doyle issue a yellow card to add to the one he had picked up four minutes previous.

Being down a man energized the visiting side and they went close on 37 minutes after good work up the left from Billy Dennehy resulted in the ball finding its way to the feet of Karl Sheppard who blazed well over from 8 yards.

The last chance of the half fell the way of the Hoops when a Sullivan cross resulted in a penalty box scramble with the ball coming out to Shane Robinson who fired over the bar.

After the simmering atmosphere of the first half there was an anti climatic feel about the second.

Bohemians enjoyed the lion's share of possession but goalmouth action was at a premium with neither Delany nor Barry Murphy being called into action for long periods.

A Derek Pender shot on 58 minutes failed to find the target and it wasn’t until 10 minutes later that Bohs threatened again when the lively Moore cut in from the right onto his left foot and fired a shot from 20 yards which was well saved by Murphy.

Rovers threatened on 70 minutes when shots from substitute Ciaran Kilduff and Robinson were both blocked bravely by Roberto Lopes and Owen Heary.

With all three substitutes used and Jason McGuinness laboring badly with a knock Rovers were forced to see out the last ten minutes under the cosh. McGuinness continued bravely in the lone striker’s role, a signal of Trevor Croly’s willingness to hold out for the point instead of chasing the game.

The Gypsies best chance of the closing stages came with two minutes remaining when Pender’s cross found substitute Dwayne Wilson at the back post, but the midfielder couldn’t connect and the danger was averted.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Owen Heary (c), Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Stephen Traynor, Karl Moore (Darragh Hanaphy); Chris Lyons (Shane Murray 34)(Dwayne Wilson 72), Dave Scully.

Subs not used: Conor O’Brien, Ciaran Nangle, Michael Barker, Greg Murray (Gk).

Booked: Pender (24), McEvoy (65), Scully (74), Traynor (90)

Sent Off: None.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Pat Sullivan (c), Jason McGuinness, Derek Foran, Conor Powell; Shane Robinson, Stephen Rice, James Chambers (Ciaran Kilduff 56), Karl Sheppard (Sean O’Connor 71); Billy Dennehy, Thomas Stewart (David Elebert 40).?

Subs not used: Gary McCabe, Ronan Finn, Conor McCormack, Richard Brush (Gk).

Booked: Stephen Rice (15), Foran (32), Dennehy (63)

Sent Off: Foran (36).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 2,785

Extratime Man of the Match: Luke Byrne; The marauding left back was at the heart of most good Bohs attacks. He linked up very well with winger Karl Moore.