Soccer

Dave Mulcahy’s winner helps Bohemians end Dundalk’s unbeaten run

Champions beaten at home for the first time since 2013

Bohemians’ Derek Prendergast and Adam Evans celebrate after the victory over Dundalk at Oriel Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Bohemians’ Derek Prendergast and Adam Evans celebrate after the victory over Dundalk at Oriel Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Fri Jun 05 2015 - 22:38

Dundalk 1 Bohemians 2

Bohemians gave the chasing pack new hope in the race for the title after they shocked Dundalk who fell to their first home league loss since late 2013.

An own goal was cancelled out by a Dane Massey header under Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s watchful eyes but Dave Mulcahy ensured it would be Bohemians celebrating at the end in front of the Irish management team.

Just two minutes were gone when Bohs silenced the venue as impressive debutant Ismahil Akinade punished a defensive error to slide the ball through for Adam Evans.

The ex-Burnley man steadied himself before firing his strike against the crossbar where it rebounded back off the unfortunate Gary Rogers and over the line.

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Dundalk levelled within eight minutes of going behind, a corner kick from the right being met by by a fantastic, firm header from Dane Massey. bout.

He was involved moments later when setting up Daryl Horgan, who set up the opener, almost claimed a second assist but this time Dean Delany met David McMillan’s strong header with a confident left hand.

The away side, already without Derek Pender, Marc Griffin, Patrick Kavanagh and Anto Murphy could have done with getting out of Oriel Park unscathed with matches against St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers coming up in the next week but an injury to Stephen Best put paid to those hopes in the first half.

Dundalk striker McMillan may be a striker low on confidence at present, and it showed midway through the half when he snatched at his chance and shot over at the back post.

Richie Towell was then foiled by a decent Delany stop and from the resulting corner, Andy Boyle saw his header cleared off the line by Lorcan Fitzgerald.

And after 75 minutes the full-back played his part at the other end, sending in a superb free kick which Mulcahy met with the winning header. The Gypsies missed a late penalty when Kealan Dillon saw his kick saved by Rogers after Paddy Barrett was sent off.

DUNDALK: Rogers; Gannon, Barrett, Boyle, Massey (Grimes, 66 mins); Shields (O'Donnell 76 mins), Towell; Mountney, Finn, Horgan; McMillan (Byrne, 86 mins).

BOHEMIAN FC: Delany; Lopes, Prendergast, Best (Dillon, 17 mins), Fitzgerald; Moore, Buckley (O'Brien, 73 mins), Mulcahy, Creevy, Evans; Akinade (Kelly, 92 mins).

Referee: R Harvey (Dublin).