ROCKET MAN
Leahy on target as Bohs sink Rovers
AMAZING. A simply stunning finish and another devastating Bohemians comeback to leave Shamrock Rovers broken-hearted at the end of this Dublin derby.
Their manager, Stephen Bradley, could only look to the heavens in despair when Darragh Leahy rocketed a 99th-minute winner into the top corner.
Just like that, this derby was taken from them and, as the Rovers players departed down the tunnel, led by Bradley and sporting director Stephen McPhail, the boos rang out loud and clear. This one hurt.
‘Twice, twice,’ one distraught supporter roared right above Bradley as he held two fingers in the air. Indeed, for the second time this season Rovers took the lead against their greatest rivals and could not hold on. On the opening night, Bohs rallied to win 3-1 at Dalymount Park but this comeback was more devastating.
This was on the Hoops’ own turf in Tallaght. In front of 4,541 expectant fans, Rovers folded. This morning they will wake up and the pain will remain. It won’t be easily forgotten. Because Bohs deserved this. They came out west for this Dublin derby and looked more than comfortable in enemy territory with a performance to make them believe they are so much more than mid-table fodder.
In particular, the inspiring display of 21-year-old centre midfielder Dylan Watts, on loan from Leicester City, offers plenty of encouragement. He helped drive Bohs back into the game in the second half, delivering a pin-point cross from the right flank for Dan Byrne to cushion home a deserved equaliser in the 70th minute. Bohs could have this wrapped up sooner had chances not been wasted and a clearcut penalty decision not gone against them. But they showed spirit to re-group after Daniel Carr’s sensational back flick in mid flight gave the hosts the lead just before the half-hour. It was a rare bit of joy on a night of utter desolation. The early signs seemed were that Bohs had a case of the jitters in front of goal. Right winger Danny Grant, signed last season from the Leinster Senior League, drove into the box after a neat lay-off from Eoghan Stokes but as he bore down on goal he got caught between whether to shoot or pass and instead hit a tepid ball across the face of goal.
The story of the visitors’ night looked as if it was going to be one of frustration, they may have been calm and composed in possession, moving it well and sharply but up until Byrne struck his cushioned equaliser they were failing to put the finishing touch when it mattered most.
A prime example came in the minutes before Rovers’ opener when a sharp switch of play from right back Keith Buckley created an opening for Stokes down the left. He fed JJ Lunney who made a supporting run into the box but saw a side-footed shot parried by Kevin Horgan.
Keith Ward was onto the rebound as quick as a flash but blazed his shot wide from inside the six-yard box. Harvey gave a corner, despite the goalkeeper insisting he didn’t get a touch, and the Hoops were off the hook.
Just a minute later and Carr and was doing cartwheels and somersaults of joy after his sublime acrobatic finish gave his side the lead. It was a goal out of nothing and the English striker’s third goal in as many games.
But all the drama was saved for the second half. Grant was denied