Bohs and UCD play out drab draw
Friday 4th May 2007, 9:45 pm
Alan Mahon clears under pressure from Glen Crowe.
Photo by Tom Carey.
4th May 2007
eircom League of Ireland Premier Division
Bohemians 0
UCD 0
Dalymount Park
Neither Bohemians nor UCD did much to lift their respective followings during a very poor League of Ireland Premier Division game at Dalymount Park tonight. Going into the game, Bohs had a narrow advantage over the College in the league table but there was nothing between them on the pitch.
Bohs were hampered by a number of injuries. Dessie Byrne, Dean Pooley, Fergal Harkin and Harpal Singh could all have been involved if not injured. A suspension for Darren Mansaram also limited their attacking options. UCD in contrast were almost at full strength.
Neale Fenn goes down after a challenge from Conor Sammon.
Photo by Tom Carey.
Both sides struggled to create much in the entire game. Sloppy passing, tenacious defending and weak finishing on the rare occasions either side got near goal ensured a frustrating night for everyone at Dalymount.
John-Paul Kelly had a cross drift just narrowly over Matt Gregg's UCD goal in the opening ten minutes. Kelly, usually Bohs main creative spark, had a poor game, offering little before his substitution in the second period - replaced by Kevin Hunt before the hour.
Neale Fenn hit a shot as the ball traveled across his body but failed to over exert ex Bohs keeper Gregg. Glen Crowe saw an angled shot also saved as he threatened to bear down on goal.
Bookings on either side for Kelly,Conor Kenna and Alan McNally dotted a poor remaining run to half-time.
UCD substitute Ronan Finn had a couple of misses after his arrival - the second of which saw him mis-direct his header off target at the back post following a well worked corner kick between Alan Mahon and Conor Sammon.
UCD's Ronan Finn maintains possession despite the attentions of Chris Kinsgberry.
Photo by Tom Carey.
The unfortunate Mark Rossiter made a brief appearance for Bohs before eventually leaving the pitch on a stretcher with what looked a serious injury.
Crowe in particular was frustrated up front for the home side but poor service limited his involvement to chasing long balls forward which in general, the Students coped well with.
Bohs boss Sean Connor may have steadied the ship but the Gypsies fans are going to expect something a little more inspiring in the coming weeks.
For UCD an away draw with Bohs is a passable result and they may prove difficult to break down in upcoming games. They face St. Pats in the League Cup and then the Premier Division of the league next week.
Bohemians : Murphy, O Heary, Powell, Burns, Ferguson, T Heary, Kelly (Hunt 57), Kingsberry, Rice (Rossiter 65) (Mooney 86), Fenn, Crowe.
UCD : Gregg, Mahon, Bermingham, Kenna, McNally, Crowley, C Byrne (McDonnell 70), McFaul, Doyle (Oprea 90 +3), Purcell (Finn 60), Sammon.