MEMORIES ARE MADE OF LILYWHITES FRUSTRATED THIS
Casey at the double on big night for the Gypsies
3 1 OVER time, when Bohs fans recount their favourite derby memories, this will be right up there.
And the Dalymount faithful took great enjoyment taunting their rivals about being 1-0 up and, well, making a hash of things.
Two-goal hero Dan Casey beamed: “That was something else. The shift the lads put in was unbelievable, to go 1-0 down and come back. Hopefully we can kick on.”
Rovers led through a Ronan Finn goal midway through the first-half but rarely looked convincing.
And Bohs’ little flourish before the break was a sign of things to come.
Bohemians Shamrock R
Keith Long’s charges ripped into the Hoops in the second-half.
Casey set the wheels in motion in the 72nd minute and it was no more than the hosts deserved.
They were only warming up as ex-hoop Paddy Kavanagh and Casey again scored two goals in three minutes inside the final nine.
And each of them sparked pandemonium in the terraces as their remarkable comeback brought life to a derby poor on quality but rich in fight from the hosts.
Bohs won in Cork, Dundalk and Tallaght last season and on this evidence will be every bit as tenacious.
But if Rovers are serious about leaving their mark on the title race – or at least closing the gap – momentum is key.
They lost five of their opening eight league games last season and chased their tails thereafter.
Dundalk head to Tallaght on Friday and already the pressure is on because what looked to be a step in the right direction for 72 minutes, soon turned into a nightmare.
Finn got the ball rolling midway through the opening half.
Graham Burke acrobatically hooked the ball over his shoulder and it crashed off Shane Supple’s post and fell to Finn.
The Hoops skipper – who taunted Bohs midweek by claiming Dalymount was his favourite ground to win in – tucked home.
Bottles thrown from the Bohs end rained down on the celebrations.
But Stephen Bradley’s charges lacked conviction and Bohs always had reason to believe with Kevin Devaney a threat down the left.
And they did not let up after the restart.
Ward was a yard wide after a slippery run into the box while Kevin Horgan – preferred in goal to Tomer Chencinski – got down low to thwart Corcoran.
Rovers were asleep at the wheel, punting long balls out of defence to nobody in particular.
And the hosts deserved their equaliser.
Casey climbed to meet Ward’s corner and, in front of the travelling fans, planted an unstoppable header high into Horgan’s net.
And Long’s dogged team were not finished there.
Eight minutes from time, Kavanagh unleashed a rising shot before Casey headed home his second three minutes later after shambolic defending.
Dundalk
0 0 DUNDALK were left kicking their heels in frustration as Bray Wanderers left Oriel Park with a deserved share of the spoils.
Dave Mackey’s Seagulls might even have nicked all three points but for Gary Rogers’ late save to deny Daniel Kelly.
Half chances arrived for the home side but Mackey’s side grew into it as the game wore on and they almost went in front just past the half hour when Cory Galvin worked space for a drive only to see Rogers parry his effort away to safety.
Bray continued to do a
Bray Wdrs
fine job of containing the hosts in the second-half and Kenny sent on Kristian Adorjan, Patrick Hoban and Byrne into the fray in a bid to get the winner.
Dillon had to turn a looping Adorjan header over the top in the 72nd minute and Benson drilled one just past the upright two minutes later.
However, the Dundalk onslaught never materialised and it was Bray who almost landed a sucker punch.
Dane Massey’s loose pass was seized upon by substitute Daniel Kelly but Rogers made a fine stop.
Sligo Rovers Limerick Tonight, Showgrounds, KO 7.45pm
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SLIGO ROVERS boss Gerard Lyttle feels it is laughable that Limerick are being tipped for the drop before the season has even started.
Lyttle – who can choose from a full strength squad tonight – kept the Bit O’red up on the final day of last season and said: “People think Limerick are going to be an easy one and one of the teams to get relegated this year.
“I don’t believe that. I believe they have a really good XI. They’ve a bit of experience in their team.”
Rookie Limerick manager Tommy Barrett will give new striker Connor Ellis (groin) every chance to prove his fitness.