Bohs loss confirms club’s worst start

BOHEMIANS 1

DUNDALK 0

DUNDALK’S wait for a first win of the season continued at Dalymount Park on Monday night as James Akintunde’s 80th minute header proved the difference between the sides.

A sixth defeat of the term leaves the Lilywhites bottom of the table with just four points from 10 matches having played every side in the division at least once.

This latest loss had a number of positives to it and was arguably Dundalk’s best performance since the opening night’s 1-1 draw away to Shamrock Rovers. However, the big disappointment was the fact that the visitors failed to register a single shot on target throughout before being undone in the closing stages by a set-piece.

WORST START

The result means it is Dundalk’s worst start to a season in the club’s history. Prior to kick-off, the return of three points from nine matches had mirrored that of the 1998/’99 campaign, when the club was, ultimately, relegated for the first time in its history, but that side won their 10th match of the season whereas the squad of 2024’s wait for a first three-pointer continues.

There was at least some positives to take away from the game in terms of performance and application but the lack of goals – just three in 10 matches – remains a concern. Despite good possession stats in each game so far, Dundalk are bottom of the table not just on points but in relation to shots-per-game, xG and touches in the opposition box.

It’s difficult to see how that improves in the short-term, even if a new manager is appointed. On the whole, Monday night wasn’t the worst display but the lack of a creative and cutting edge is the big concern as the side look to somehow claw their way back up the table in the second series of matches.

Dundalk, under the interim charge of Liam Burns and Brian Gartland for the second time in 72 hours, started the brighter of the two sides, aided by a gale force wind. However, it took until the 25th minute for them to fashion their first real opening with Robbie Benson’s effort from about eight yards out deflecting over off Paddy Kirk after Paul Doyle had charged down an attempted clearance from a corner.

SIGH OF RELIEF

Bohs were once again left breathing a sigh of relief on 34 minutes when Aboubacar Keita knocked the ball just wide of his own goal from Robbie Mahon’s cross. Benson and Daryl Horgan then had efforts just off target as the visitors upped the ante approaching half-time. Indeed, the closest they came to a breakthrough arrived in the first minute of stoppage time when Mahon played a brilliant ball in from the left that just evaded the inrushing Jamie Gullan. With the elements in their favour in the second half, Alan Reynolds’ side began to pose more of an attacking threat and they had four big chances to break the deadlock in quick succession in the 65th minute. Firstly, Andy Boyle blocked from Kirk before Adam McDonnell’s follow up was charged down. George Shelvey was then forced into two fine saves from Declan McDaid, the pick of which was the second as he turned the ball around the post for a corner.

McDaid would fire into the side-netting from a free-kick shortly after before McDonnell dragged a shot wide from distance.

Dundalk were finally undone in the 80th minute by a set-piece that they failed to defend. After Louie Annesley had fouled James McManus, Dayle Rooney delivered a superb ball to the back post for the inrushing Akintunde to nod past Shelvey.

The visitors did push hard for an equaliser after that but failed to fashion a chance of note with Shelvey called into action to touch Rooney’s effort over on 99 minutes after he had been released by Akintunde.

BOHEMIANS: Chorazka; Lilander, Byrne, Keita, Kirk; J McManus, McDonnell (B McManus 91); Connolly (McDaid 64), Clarke (Akintunde 64), Miller (Rooney HT); Piszczek (Reinkort 81).

DUNDALK: Shelvey; Davies, Animasahun (Annesley HT), Boyle, Bradshaw; High, Doyle (Keane 73); Horgan, Benson (Kenny 91), Mahon (O’Kane 60); Gullan.

REFEREE: Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary).