SHAMROCK ROVERS have had a crippled look to them this season but one visit from leaders Bohemians was as good as any to a doctor. So it was that they threw away their crutches at Tolka Park last night and sprang vibrantly to life.
This pulsating derby was the answer to Pat Byrne's pre-match prayers. The Rovers manager had opined that this could kickstart their season and the manner of the win will surely have done that. It wasn't just that their biggest crowd of the season witnessed a win over their old enemy, but the bulk of an estimated 3,500-4,000 will have taken a couple of new Hoops' heroes to their hearts.
Aside from scoring the first two Rovers' goals, midfielder Marc Kenny (making his home debut) and striker Stephen Grant (making his full debut) looked very much the part.
Rovers' need was greater and that manifested itself from the outset. However, they were always going to need some reward for their full-blooded efforts before Bohemians weathered the early storm.
After 14 minutes Kenny delivered it with a set-piece that may have looked flukey but was straight out of the Gianfranco Zola free-kick manual: i.e, at least half meant.
Grant had been fouled by James Coll 40 yards out and Kenny whipped in a vicious curling free from the left. The incoming runners from the far post kept Dave Henderson honest, Kenny's scarcely touched delivery having enough swerve on it to dip low inside the far post.
The Bohemians defence was frequently stretched but Tony Cousins pull-back eluded the incoming Giant, Kenny tested Henderson a gain with a repeat of his earlier effort, Cousins extracted the best from Henderson with a superb 25- yard shot on the turn and Kenny steered an angled shot wide of the far post.
Bohemians did come gradually into an absorbing tussle, but Robbie Horgan had a good night. While not having some of Alan O'Neill's inspirational saving, arguably he does command the area more. He was alive to a couple off efforts by Peter Hanrahan, the second on half-time a full-length one-handed save low to his left from a first-time volley.
The tension and the bookings mounted in some feisty post-interval exchanges. Apart from Hanrahan's flicked first-time volley, which was just wide, a more keyed up Bohemians weren't creating too much but their improved effort appeared to have saved the night after 69 minutes.
McGrath, by now the game's most influential midfielder as Kenny tired and Pat Fenlon took on more defensive duties, initiated the move which saw Mullen pick out Doolin's excellent run to the bye-line. Horgan steered the ensuing pull-back away from incoming opponents, but McGrath was on hand to score on the run with a rising drive for the equaliser.
Rovers, with several players lacking in match practice, appeared to be wilting and Bohemians looked the stronger.
Three minutes later, Grant bucked that trend. Cousins found him outside the area with his back to goal and a line of Bohemians defenders goalside. However, Grant's deft first touch took him away from Coll and created the space for a perfectly placed low shot which went in off the butt of the upright.
Three minutes from time, Bohemians pushed everyone up for a corner. Gino Brazil cleared off the line from Hanrahan, the ball breaking for Kenny who released Cousins from well inside his own half and clear. Cousins ran on and shot straight at Henderson, but steered the rebound under the keeper.
That wasn't the end of it, not by a long shot. Mooney and Hanrahan tested Horgan, Pat Byrne was sent from the dug-out by Pat Dempsey after an earlier warning, and a minute into injury-time Mullen delightfully released Hanrahan for the latter to score a deserved goal from a tight angle with aplomb.
Then came the final corner. Henderson advanced from his area, his counterpart Horgan gathered the ball, then dropped it after he was fouled. Finally, breathlessly, the final whistle was blown. Some night, some game. The season's best so far.
