NOTHING IN IT
THE first arm wrestle of the season between these title contenders ended in a flat stalemate that threw up more questions than answers.
In a contest that was there for the taking, both sides lacked the guile to put the other to the sword.
Without the injured Patrick Mceleney and Robbie Benson, the champions had no spark although their doggedness could not be faulted.
And for all their attacking intent, the Hoops found it difficult to generate sufficient forward momentum to trouble Dundalk’s trusty rearguard.
Still finding their feet respectively, there was no overwhelming evidence here to suggest either side is on the brink of exploding into life.
But so evenly matched was this slow-burner, neither will turn their nose up at a share of the night’s prize.
Rovers started brightly and would have scored inside two minutes but for Gary Rogers’ acrobatics when tipping Orhan Vojic’s shot from the edge of the box over his crossbar.
Down the other end, Sean Hoare’s header from Michael Duffy’s free crashed off Alan Mannus’ bar but aside from a Daniel Kelly daisycutter a little later, that was as good as it got for either side in front of goal.
It wasn’t a bad opening half but it badly needed a jolt. Alas it never came.
You sensed both sides were holding something back but most departments were evenly matched
Waterford Bohemians
0 0 and ultimately cancelled each other out.
Greg Bolger’s application in spoiling Dundalk advances was admirable and he had a good game but getting those ahead of him to fire was another matter.
The champions missed Mceleney’s magic and Benson’s cuteness and were direct at times when looking to service lone striker Patrick Hoban.
So often their chief tormentor out wide, Duffy’s threat was diluted as he had Roberto Lopes, a makeshift right-back, for company every step of the way.
And Dundalk continued to make heavy work of it when deep behind enemy lines, the impressive Lee SHOT-STOPPER James Talbot once again held firm last night to earn a point for pace-setters Bohemians.
Bohs were content to operate on the counter and conjured their best opening after a half an hour.
Ali Reghba was released on Grace having a lot to do with that.
Substitute striker Dan Carr’s arrival for Vojic approaching the hour offered Rovers a fresh approach in attack.
Always a handful, he kept Dundalk’s defence guessing and this allowed others come to the fore with Trevor Clarke testing Rodgers with a low angled shot.
Referee Paul Mclaughlin then dismissed penalty appeals when Ronan Finn’s cross crashed off Hoare’s body.
And, late on, Jack Byrne’s tackle on Sean Gannon was also waved away despite protests from the visiting bench – if not the players.
Slow and steady wins the race, or so the saying goes.
There is undoubtedly more to come from both sides but their fans must wait a little longer for their seasons to ignite.
goal by Dinny Corcoran, yet could only slice his low effort into the side-netting.
The most Alan Reynolds’ side could muster was Zack Elbouzedi’s shot from 25 yards which zipped wide.
Five minutes after the restart Daniel Mandroiu showed Kenny Browne a clean pair of heels but Hugo Keto advanced to smother
the danger at the feet of the Bohs star (left).
Down the other end, Browne was left unmarked to connect with Georgie Poyton’s corner and his halfvolley drew a close-range save from Talbot.
The former Sunderland trainee once again displayed his reflexes with 18 minutes left from Rory Feely’s header.
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A SECOND half equaliser from Conor Davis earned UCD their first point of the new campaign against high-flying St Patrick’s Athletic at the UCD Bowl.
St Pat’s survived a 20th minute scare when keeper Brendan Clarke got down sharply to push away a first time shot by striker Davis. But the Inchicore side dominated midfield and it was little surprise when they took the lead seven minutes later. Rhys Mccabe got his throw back from Chris Forrester on the left to arc over a cross that Mikey Drennan (inset) swept past Conor Kearns.
UCD played their way back into the game after the break and came up with a 58th minute equaliser.
Central defender Liam Scales surged down the left to cross for Davis who forced the ball home from close range.
UCD St Patrick’s Athletic