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Bohs advance after late extra-time drama

Wednesday 4th July 2007, 12:05 am

Gareth Farrelly in action against Neale Fenn.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Dessie Byrne's goal three minutes from the end of extra-time saw Bohemians advance to the semi-finals of the League of Ireland Cup. Cork City were desperately unlucky to lose having fought back from 2-0 down to not only force extra-time but keep the home side on the back foot for long periods.

City handed debuts to Leon MacSweeney, Gareth Farrelly and Colin Healy with all three playing in all one hundred and twenty minutes.

Despite starting well and firing in a couple of early shots, Cork were behind after only five minutes. Stephen Rice stole in at the back post to head in from Neale Fenn's corner kick.

Dessie Byrne trots back after scoring the decisive goal.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Another fairly even spell followed before Dean Pooley fired home his first Bohs goal from just inside the area. Another Fenn set-piece had caused problems as Cork failed to clear on twenty minutes.

A similar situation at the other end just two minutes later saw Sean Kelly ram the ball home from close range as Bohs struggled against successive free kicks.

Joe Gamble drilled a shot not far over while John O'Flynn turned the ball just wide as Cork took control of the ball. However, Bohs' defence stood firm with the score remaining 2-1 at the break.

Stephen Rice had a mixed night scoring at both ends. Here he holds off Joe Gamble.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Kelly kept up with his defensive duties too and got a vital touch to flick away Glen Crowe's cross from Byrne as Bohs pressed early in the second half.

At the other end Brian Murphy tipped over superbly from O'Flynn's flicked header from the edge of the box.

The equaliser arrived on the hour and although there was some fortune involved for Cork, MacSweeney's effort in the build-up deserved some reward. Chasing a seemingly lost cause, Cork's new boy kept the ball in play before whipping in a vicious cross. Rice was in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up powering a header past his own keeper, thanks mainly to the pace on the ball itself.

Bohs' goal led something of a charmed life in the following minutes and Farrelly forced a save as he aimed to make a point on his return to Dalymount Park.

John O'Flynn and Conor Powell clash for the ball.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Met by howls of derision, Bohs manager Sean Connor withdrew both Crowe and Kevin Hunt. No doubt he would have heard plenty more about it had Bohs not gone on to win.

Fenn headed wide from a Mansaram cross as Bohs got back into proceedings. Rice forced a save from Mark McNulty as he looked for his third headed goal of the game.

Cork took advantage of tiring legs before O'Flynn slotted a shot wide after a quick break in the closing ten minutes.

The first period of extra-time was forgettable except for a spectacular overhead attempt from Cork's Denis Behan. The big striker failed to connect with the ball across goal.

Leon MacSweeney had a starring role on his Cork City debut.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Despite a number of players illustrating plenty of signs of fatigue, the second period was better. Joe Gamble had a shot blocked while Healy was forced to head clear over his own crossbar.

Behan looked like he might settle the tie when he raced in on the Bohs goal but goalkeeper Murphy was swiftly off his line to snuff out the danger.

With a penalty shoot-out looming, Byrne stole in at Cork's back post and somehow squeezed the ball between McNulty and his upright to snatch the most dramatic of wins.

Bohemians : Murphy, O Heary, Powell, Pooley, Burns, Hunt (T Heary 63), Rice, Harkin (Rossiter 92), Byrne, Crowe (Mansaram 63), Fenn.
Cork City : McNulty, Horgan, Cillian Lordan (Lally 120), Murray, Kelly, Gamble, Healy, Farrelly, MacSweeney, Behan, O'Flynn.