Bohemians 3-1 Dundalk

Published on Friday, 29 October 2010 10:33

Bohemians secured their 19th win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Dundalk at Dalymount Park, but it wasn't enough for them to retain their Premier Division crown.

Paddy Madden, Aaron Greene and Jason Byrne provided the goals as The Gypsies celebrated their ninth home win and capped off an inconsistent year with a deserved three points.

Ultimately, it wasn't enough for Pat Fenlon's to win the title for a third year in a row as Shamrock Rovers pipped them on goal difference following their 2-2 draw away to Bray Wanderers.

Madden should have opened the scoring on three minutes when he found himself one-on-one with Dundalk keeper Peter Cherrie after a pass through by Paul Keegan, but he fired straight at the shot-stopper.

Then Killian Brennan clipped the top of the crossbar with a long-range effort before Madden did open the scoring on 12 minutes. A poor clearance from Garry Breen fell to the 20-year-old striker and he blasted in a half volley.

Dundalk registered their first chances on goal through Wayne Hatswell and Dean Bennett, although neither effort really troubled Bohs keeper Barry Murphy.

Instead, it was Bohs who looked the more likely to score next with Madden failing to hit the target when Byrne set his strike partner through, while Byrne headed over just before half-time.

After the break, there was a noticeable improvement from The Lilywhites and they pulled level when Simon Madden's cross was met by the head of Fahrudin Kuduzovic on 66 minutes.

But that goal just inspired Bohs to fight even harder with Keegan and Byrne coming close before Greene made it 2-1 with a superb finish following a cross from Madden.

With the momentum clearly on their side, Fenlon's troops kept storming forward and won a penalty in injury time when Brennan was fouled by Liam Burns. The spot kick was converted by Byrne and the win was sealed.

However, that victory wasn't enough for the Gypsies to celebrate another league triumph, instead they were forced to settle for a runners-up spot.

Bohemians: Murphy; Heary, Shelley, Oman, Powell; Brennan, McGlynn, Keegan, Cretaro (Greene 65); Byrne, Madden.

Substitutes Not Used: Sexton, Lopez, Traynor, Higgins.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Madden, G Breen, Burns, Hatswell; Maher (Lennon 71), Miller, Bennett, Kearns; Kuduzovic, Tipton (J Breen 90).

Substitutes Not Used: Murphy, Kelly, Cawley.

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).