A beautiful strike from Gary Twigg and a late Billy Dennehy goal gave Shamrock Rovers the 3 points from an entertaining Dublin derby against Bohemians at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
It was a cagey opening to the game and both sides were guilty of giving the ball away too easily. Shamrock Rovers had most of the play but managed to create only a couple of clear cut chances in the first half.
The first of these came in the 14th minute when Gary Twigg should have scored for the home side. Ronan Finn played him in with a perfect pass. Twigg was one on one with Andy McNulty, but shot tamely at the Bohs 'keeper. Kerrea Gilbert put the rebound over.
There was a chance for Bohs in the 24th minute. Karl Moore picked out Adam Martin with a fine cross from the left. Martin rose well but headed just over.
Ronan Finn who scored last week against Shelbourne hit a fine effort on target in the 34th minute from outside the area but McNulty was there again to tip it over the bar.
Neil Harney got into a good crossing position for Bohs in the 43rd minute and put in a decent cross but there was nobody there for the visitors to get on the end of it.
Bohs managed to contain the champions for most of the early period of the second half. The Hoops created their next opportunity in the 62nd minute. After a quick one-two between Dennehy and Finn, the Kerryman crossed and found Twigg who headed well wide from 8 yards out.
Stephen Kenny's side were now dominating possession but Bohs looked dangerous on the counter-attack. This point was emphasised in the 70th minute when Dave Scully made his way into the Rovers area and put his shot just wide.
However Rovers dominance was bound to pay off at some point and when it did it was well worth waiting for. The opening goal came in the 79th minute. After a long sequence of passing by the home team, Craig Sives got in Daryl Kavanagh's way. Kavanagh played it back to Ronan Finn. Finn played it onto the chest of Gary Twigg. The Scot controlled it from close to the penalty spot and hit it first time into the corner of the Bohs net. The Tallaght Stadium erupted but there was more to come.
It could have been 1-1 in the 92nd minute. Oscar Jansson could not deal with a cross from the left and the ball fell to Bohs substitute Dinny Corcoran. Corcoran controlled it and chipped it over everybody but the ball hit the post.
Rovers then had the ball at the other end and Daryl Kavanagh eventually teed up Billy Dennehy, who did not have the best of games. Dennehy's accurate finish found the corner of the net to wrap it up.
Bohemians manager Aaron Callaghan should be happy with the spirit that his side showed but ultimatley it was the home side's geater class and the finishing instincts of Twigg and Dennehy that sealed the points for Rovers. That's why they're champions.
Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson, Kerrea Gilbert (Sean Gannon 74), Craig Sives, Ken Oman (captain), Killian Brennan, Stephen Rice (Gary O'Neill 68), Chris Turner, Ronan Finn, Billy Dennehy, Aaron Greene (Daryl Kavanagh 74), Gary Twigg.
Subs not used: Colin Hawkins, Reyaad Pietrese, Graham Gartland, Conor McCormack.
Booked: Killian Brennan (27) Chris Turner (67).
Sent-off: None.
Bohemians: Andy McNulty, Owen Heary (captain), Evan McMillan, Dave Mulcahy, Derek Pender (John O'Connor 84), Stephen Traynor, Neil Harney, Karl Moore, Adam Martin, Danny Joyce (Keith Ward 59) Dave Scully (Dinny Corcoran 85).
Subs not used: Keith Ward, Pete McMahon, Roberto Lopes, Sean Stewart, Craig Sexton.
Booked: None.
Sent-off: None.
Referee: Richard Winter
Attendance: 5,000 estimate.
Man of the match: Ronan Finn (Shamrock Rovers).
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