Injuries ‘m
BOHEMIANS DUNDALK 1 1
A 78th minute header from Daniel Cleary rescued a point for Dundalk as they wrapped up their league campaign away to Bohemians on Friday night but the biggest talking point at Dalymount Park was the club’s injury problems ahead of Sunday’s FAI Cup final.
Pat Hoban went over on his ankle in the aftermath of the equaliser and left the Phibsborough venue on crutches. That adds to existing concerns over the availability of Robbie Benson (knee) for the final.
Dundalk were also without Sean Gannon (hip flexor) on Friday while Jamie McGrath, who was named in the starting 11, was replaced by Dylan Connolly after hurting his groin while taking a shot in the warm up. Those two are expected to be fine for the final, as are Chris Shields and Dean Jarvis who missed out for compassionate reasons, with the latter’s partner giving birth to a baby earlier that day.
On the plus side the large travelling support were boosted by the return to competitive action of club captain Stephen O’Donnell, who started on Friday just 176 days after breaking his leg in the 2-1 defeat away to Waterford FC on May 4th.
The enforced changes meant that Dundalk had an unfamiliar look to begin with as Michael Duffy started in a central role.
The visitors were disjointed in the first half and despite Duffy going close twice and Patrick McEleney forcing a save from Shane Supple, it was Bohs who looked the bigger threat.
They had a big chance to take the lead on 20 minutes when Dinny Corcoran picked out Daniel Kelly unmarked at the back post only for the PFAI Young Player of the Year nominee to lash his volley into the ground and wide.
The breakthrough did come two minutes later though with Corcoran applying the finish after Keith Buckley burst past Dane Massey on the right to cross invitingly for the striker to