The 42

Premier Division:

Bohemians 0

Shelbourne 1

Paul Buttner reports from Dalymount Park

AS THEY PLAYED for the last time under the beam of the old Dalymount Park pylons, the lights also went out on Bohemians’ title challenge as Mipo Odubeko delivered a late winner for north Dublin rivals Shelbourne in Phibsborough.

A 4-0 win over relegated Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium meant Shamrock Rovers retained their title on the night; the victory Bohemians needed here to bring their championship quest to the final day never looked like materialising.

The only goal of a fitful derby arrived on 85 minutes.

James Norris got to the end line on the left to cross. Bohemians didn’t deal with the ball into their six-yard box, as substitute Odubeko showed terrific composure to control the ball with a fine first touch before poking it home off the same right foot.

Bohemians remain second in the table, six points behind Rovers and two ahead of St Patrick’s Athletic.

Having also dented St Patrick’s title hopes with a win at Richmond Park last Friday, in-form Shels’ victory here, their fourth in a five-match unbeaten run, maintains John Russell’s side’s fourth-place status.

After a seven-minute kick-off delay due to flare smoke and objects being thrown onto the pitch from the Mono stand housing Shels fans, Bohs started on the front foot.

A flowing move down the right on nine minutes, with Connor Parsons and Harry Vaughan the instigators, brought their first sight of goal, skipper Jordan Flores’ drive blocked by Jack Henry-Francis.

Two minutes later, Parsons curled a shot from the edge of the area just over the top following a corner.

Shels threatened for the first time, though John Martin was unable to get sufficient power into his header from JJ Lunney’s cross to trouble Paul Walters between the Bohs’ posts.

Lunney and Jack Henry-Francis then fired off shots, which came to nothing, as Shels enjoyed a good spell of possession.

But a generally scrappy affair was labouring to really spark to life.

Shelbourne fans display a banner. Bryan Keane Bryan Keane

Bohs created the best chance of the first half five minutes before the interval.

Parsons’ deep cross from the left was hooked back by Douglas James-Taylor. Substitute Zane Myers’ weak shot trickled against a post before being hacked clear.

At the other end, Sean Moore almost availed of a defensive error, curling a shot over the crossbar.

The game finally alive, Shels’ keeper Beach got down sprightly to save James-Taylor’s shot from the edge of the area after the energetic Myers broke down the right.

News that Shamrock Rovers were 2-0 up at half-time on Sligo meant Bohs needed a big second half if their title aspirations weren’t to end.

While Shels had a Martin goal ruled out for a clear offside, Bohs’ live-wire Vaughan brought the Jodi stand to life with a promising opening on 52 minutes only to be denied by the excellent defending of Odhran Casey.

Not such good defending by Sam Todd then gifted Shels skipper Kerr McInroy a shot on goal, which Walters did well to hold.

While no doubting the desire, energy and endeavour of both sides, the cutting edge to deliver a goal remained absent.

Until the 85th minute, when Odubeko finally brought the game what it cried out for to the delight of the travelling Shels support and denied Bohemians the bright finish they so desired.

Bohemians: Walters; Power, Byrne, Todd, Burke (Mullen, 73); Diallo (Hickey, 58), Flores; Vaughan (Strods, 73), Tierney (Myers, 34), Parsons; James-Taylor (Whelan, 73).

Shelbourne: Beach; Casey, Ledwidge, Norris; Lunney (Odubeko, 66), McInroy; Caffrey, Henry-Francis, Kelly; Moore (Bone, 89), Martin (Boyd, 84).

Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin).

Attendance: 4,445.

Written by Paul Buttner and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.