‘We were a disgrace’ Pender
after Jack Moylan and Sean Boyd scored before Boyd added his second with 18 minutes remaining.
Gypsies fans streamed out of Tolka Park at that point and gutted Pender — their former captain and now caretaker
— said:
“Today is a reflection of us on the whole year.
“That’s what we have been giving to the fans and to this club over the course of the season and you can’t accept that, you can’t accept that as Bohs.
“That’s disgraceful and, I will be honest with you, that was embarrassing.
“You can’t fight with that. “Quarter-final of the Cup, Dublin derby, how can you show up and not want to win?
“Or show that you want to win second balls, first balls, win duels?
“It’s embarrassing.”
Pender continued: “It’s not right, it’s not acceptable and every one of us has to look at ourselves.
Desire
“That’s not how we play as Bohs, that’s not what we give, a working man’s club, fan-owned — all they want to see is grit, desire, a hunger.
“We didn’t show that today. But how can you not show that in the quarter final of the cup, in a Dublin derby? I am numb.”
“Fans pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us every week, they represent the club.
“We have to represent them and we are not, we haven’t all year, it’s not right, it’s shocking.
“The club is not asking for much, just honesty, and desire and to show you want to be at the club.”
In marked contrast, while many Bohs fans streamed out of the ground early, the win sparked joyous scenes amongst the Shelbourne supporters and players, with delighted manager Damien Duff leading a triumphant huddle in front of the Riverside Stand.
The home side hadn’t tasted victory in the Premier Division since the away victory at UCD back in July.
For Bohs, the defeat all but ends their feint hopes of European football for next season, while Shels will now be dreaming of sealing their place in the Aviva Stadium finale in November.