Brilliant Bohs book semi spot
BOHEMIANS will host cup holders Cork City in a semi-final encounter following this deserved win at a rain-lashed Brandywell. And while Derry threatened with a strong finish having fallen 2-0 in arrears, Keith Long’s charges stood up to the challenge with striker Dinny Corcoran producing a third strike to kill the game off three minutes into added time. Around 300 delighted Bohemians fans sung their way out of the Foyleside stadium having made their voices heard over the 95 minutes. Ironically, it was the home side who really should have broken the deadlock in the 10th minute during their first attack. Aaron McEneff did well to weave his way past Bohs centreback Dan Casey, to send Ronan McHale free on the right. However, the winger opted to go it alone and his shot from an acute angle was blocked by keeper Shane Supple. Bohs, however, issued a statement of intent five minutes later when Casey headed a free-kick across the face of the Derry goal before keeper Ger Doherty rose to punch the ball clear of the danger area. Bohs got their noses in front in the 43rd minute following a corner. Kevin Devaney floated the ball into the danger area and Casey, totally unmarked, rose to head the ball firmly home to give the Dubliners a significant boost before the half-time whistle. Bohs went close to doubling their lead in the 52nd minute, Corcoran’s acrobatic snapshot well saved by Doherty. Bohs spurned another glorious chance in the 55th minute when Casey rose again unchallenged to head Keith Ward’s corner wide of the target. In the 58th minute Bohs doubled their advantage. A superb move which started with a headed clearance by Casey, saw Kelly feed Corcoran and the cool striker took his time to bring the ball under control before gleefully finding the bottom corner. Derry finally gave their supporters something to shout about when Jamie McDonagh broke down the right flank and his teasing low centre was immediately driven into the net by the advancing Ally Roy. Ronan Hale brought the best out of Supple in the 72nd minute, the keeper diverting the ball over his crossbar with a spectacular save as the home side drove forward with confidence. Kenny Shiels’ side finished strongly and while Kelly could have ended the tie at one end, substitute Adrian Delap went so close to securing an equaliser. But Bohs maintained their composure with Corcoran providing that tidy finish at the death. DERRY CITY: Doherty; McDonagh, Cole, Peers , McHattie; Ronan Hale, Rory Hale, McEneff, Fisk (Low, 63); Shiels (McNamee, 80); Roy (Delap, 63). Scorer: Roy 63 BOHEMIANS: Supple; Pender (Cornwall, 70), Casey , Morris, Leahy; Kelly, Luney, Buckley, Devaney; Corcoran, Ward (Brennan, 76). Scorers: Casey 43, Corcoran 59, 90+4 Referee: R. Harvey (Dublin)