DINNY CORCORAN

got Bohemians’ season off to a winning start with the only goal of the game against newly promoted Finn Harps at Dalymount Park.

Though the home side started brightly with newcomer Danny Mandroiu prominent, it was Harps who carved the first opening on 20 minutes, with Daniel O’Reilly heading Gareth Harkin’s free kick against the post. Bohs regained the initiative to finish the half strongly, with Mandroiu setting up Luke Wade-Slater who shoot wide from distance in the 38th minute. Three minutes later the hosts went ahead with Corcoran stepping over Keith Ward’s diagonal pass to allow the ball through to Keith Buckley. His low cross was then turned home by Corcoran.

Peter Burke pulled off a couple of smart saves from Ward to keep Harps in the game. And he was there again to rescue Harps on 65 minutes, getting down to save Conor Levingston’s tame shot, with Corcoran skying the rebound over the bar. BOHEMIANS – Talbot; Pender, Cornwall, Finnerty, Leahy; Wade-Slater (Swan, 80), Buckley, Levingston, Ward; Mandroiu (Allardice, 90+1); Corcoran (Byrne, 88). FINN HARPS – Burke; Kavanagh, Todd, Logue, O’Reilly; McAleer, Borg (Coyle, 64), Verdon (McNamee, 81), Harkin, Cretaro (Place, 64); Boyle. REF – P McLaughlin