Bohemians 2-0 Shelbourne

On-loan Celtic starlet Graham Carey came off the bench to inspire Bohemians to a 2-0 friendly victory over local rivals Shelbourne at Dalymount Park on Friday night as both sides rounded off their pre-season preparations ahead of next week’s big kick-off.

A dull and directionless encounter came to life in the final quarter hour, with Carey firing his new side into the lead with a stunning strike from the edge of the area on 77 minutes. The young Dubliner, who agreed a year-long loan switch to the Gyspies earlier this week, then played in captain Owen Heary down the left side whose sweeping cross into six-yard box was turned into the net by Neale Fenn.

While the win will undoubtedly have given his side confidence ahead of next Friday’s opening night encounter with Dundalk, Bohs manager Pat Fenlon is unlikely to have been too impressed by the Gypsies overall performance.

Both sides had shown some decent form in their respective pre-season outings. Bohs had won four of their five warm-up games while Shels had found the net nine times in their previous two matches.

With this being Bohs first home game of the pre-season, an impressive crowd turned out to see the class of 2009 in action for the first time. Unfortunately for them there was very little to shout about in an opening 45 minutes which saw Bohs dominate possession, but struggle to create anything of any real note in front of goal.

Killian Brennan had arguably Bohs best chance of the half inside the opening minute. The winger found himself unmarked just seven yards out, but his shot was deflected by the foot of Shels defender Damien Brennan on to the top of the crossbar. The ball dropped to Glen Crowe on the by-line but the Bohs striker could only divert it out for a goal-kick.

As the half wore on Bohs continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession, but they consistently failed to break down a stubborn Shels rearguard. Gary Deegan took a pot-shot at goal on 16 minutes, but his off-target shot failed to trouble Dean Delaney in the Shelbourne goal.

Deegan then turned provider minutes later. The midfielder took a pass from Glen Crowe and danced his way along the edge of the area, but after passing up the opportunity to get a shot away, he was forced to lay the ball off to Crowe who wastefully blazed over from 18 yards.

In a rare foray forward, Shels best chance of the half fell to Flood just after the half hour mark but he fluffed his header from four yards following a good cross from the left.

Deegan and Crowe combined once more for the home side just before the break, but the burly striker was again profligate as he shot straight at the legs of Delaney from 16-yards.

Following a string of substitutions by both sides at the interval, the game remained bereft of any real thrust after the break. Fenn went closest for Bohs with a shot from 18-yards which was deflected wide, before former Drogheda United midfielder Richie baker shot over for Shels.

Baker came even closer to giving his side the lead on 69 minutes. Bohs defender Ken Oman brought down substitute Peter Heinz on the edge of the area, with Baker firing the resulting free kick just inches over the bar.

The game was then brought to life with just 13 minutes left when Carey fired Bohs in front. The young Dubliner played a neat one two with Fenn midway inside the Shels half, before beating the offside to trap to race clear down the left and smash the ball home past the helpless Delaney from the corner of the area. Carey’s celebrations were initially halted as the referee consulted his linesman to determine whether the player had been offside, however, after a short discussion the goal was given.

Bohs doubled their advantage three minutes later and Carey was again at the heart of it, showing great vision to pick out the run of Heary down the left whose cross was met by the in-rushing Fenn who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner past substitute ‘keeper Vinny Whelan.

Bohemians were finally really beginning to stretch their First Division opponents, with another second half substitute, Joseph Ndo, pulling the strings in the centre of the park. The Cameroon international came agonisingly close to adding a third goal late on with an audacious strike from all of 40 yards which cannoned back off the bar.

Bohs ‘keeper Brian Murphy then pulled off a quite sensational stop in the dying moments, diving to his right to turn away a Heinz shot which looked destined to nestle in the bottom corner. Baker then flashed a header agonisingly wide with Murphy beaten.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy; Owen Heary, Jason McGuinness, Ken Oman, Anto Murphy; Mark Rossiter (Graham Carey 46), Gary Deegan (Joseph Ndo 59), Paul Keegan (Glen Cronin 67), Killian Brennan (Ger Rowe 75); Glen Crowe (Ryan McEvoy 76), Neal Fenn.
Subs not used: Matt Gregg

Shelbourne: Dean Delaney (Vinny Whelan, 69); Damien Brennan, Alan Keeley, Robbie Hedderman (Darren Meehan 46), David Crawley; Mark O’Brien, David McAllister (Jordan McMillan, 85), David Cassidy (David McGill 46), Richie Baker; Anthony Flood (Peter Heinz 46), Paddy Madden (David Mulqueen 85).
Subs not used: Keith Murray.

Man of the Match: Graham Carey (Bohemians)