Lilywhites lose to late Bohs goal

16 Apr 2024

Dundalk Democrat

The wait goes on for Dundalk FC who are still awaiting their first win in this season’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division after losing 1-0 to Bohemians away from home.

James Akintunde’s 80th-minute header condemned The Lilywhites to their worst-ever start to a League of Ireland season as they sit bottom of the table after 10 matches.

Dundalk had the better of what was a largely uneventful first half. Robbie Benson’s swivelled attempt deflected off Paddy Kirk and over after Bohs had failed to deal with a Daryl Horgan corner was the only notable bit of action throughout the first 25 minutes.

The strong wind almost worked in the favour of Robbie Mahon, whose corner nearly found its way into the net, with Polish stopper Kacper Chorazka having to batter away.

Benson’s shot towards goal from just inside the penalty area veered wide of the target, not long before Horgan’s curling attempt flew well over the top of Chorazka’s crossbar.

Ex-Bohs player Mahon got away from Michael Lilander before his dangerous cross just evaded the touch of the inrushing Jamie Gullan. Under pressure from Aboubacar Keita, the Scotsman couldn’t put Dundalk into a deserved lead in first-half stoppage-time.

Mahon was a bright spark for Dundalk in that opening half, but was stretchered off the field before the hour-mark after being fouled by Dylan Connolly in what was a huge blow for The Lilywhites as they went on to play second-fiddle to Bohs for the rest of the game.

Apart from Scott High’s volleyed-attempt, which flew over from outside the box, The Gypsies dominated after that and created their first chance of the night on 65 minutes.

Dundalk goalkeeper George Shelvey produced two very good quickfire saves to deny substitute Declan McDaid, who had entered the pitch a matter of seconds beforehand.

McDaid’s free-kick effort from the left rippled the side-netting, while Adam McDonnell fired wide after getting away from Dara Keane as Bohs pressed for their winning goal.

It came 10 minutes from time when Dayle Rooney’s set-piece delivery from the right was headed home by Akintunde to condemn Dundalk to their sixth defeat in 10 matches.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Michael Lilander, Cian Byrne, Aboubacar Keita, Paddy Kirk; James McManus, Adam McDonnell (Brian McManus 90+1); Dylan Connolly (Declan McDaid 64), James Clarke (James Akintunde 64), Martin Miller (Dayle Rooney HT); Filip Piszczek (Sten Reinkort 82)

Subs not used: James Talbot (gk), Danny Grant, Jevon Mills, Luke Matheson

Dundalk FC: George Shelvey; Archie Davies, Mayowa Animasahun (Louie Annesley HT), Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Scott High, Paul Doyle (Dara Keane 73); Daryl Horgan, Robbie Benson (Eoin Kenny 90+1), Robbie Mahon (Ryan O’Kane 60); Jamie Gullan

Subs not used: Ross Munro (gk), Koen Oostenbrink, Hayden Muller, Sam Durrant, John Mountney

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary)

Attendance: 4,045

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