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Cork City 0 Bohemians 1
Friday, 29 May 2009 09:03
Jason Byrne was a match-winner as Bohemians won the top-of-the-table clash in the League of Ireland, Premier Division, to close the gap with Cork City.

Byrne scored in the 56th minute of a match that fell below the expected standard before an attendance of 5,500 fans. Both teams now have 29 points from 14 matches and the value of Bohs’ success cannot be over-estimated. They had lost to Cork at Dalymount Park in their first meeting this season and this represented an important come-back.

Cork were upset when they lost midfield general Joe Gamble with a knee injury after just seven minutes and the subsequent play suggested the missed his organisational ability.

Goalkeeper Dan Connor had an excellent match for Cork as Bohs played with a real intensity as they sought to prevent Cork from opening up a six points lead at the head of the table.

But Connor was beaten in the 56th minute when Jason Byrne claimed his 12th goal of the season with a header.

Connor made three excellent saves early in the second half but the breakthrough came when Glen Cronin's chip found Byrne, unmarked in the box, and his downward header beat Connor. The Cork goalkeeper had kept five clean sheets in a row up to that decisive moment.

Cork last conceded a goal in a 2-1 win over Bray Wanderers on March 27 so full credit to Bohs for their ability to open up a very well-organised defence and praise Byrne for an astute header that gave Connor no chance.

Cork had to make changes in their team after a long unbeaten run with a consistent team selection. Neal Horgan returned after an elbow injury to replace the suspended Pat Sullivan and Billy Dennehy was also recovered from injury to replace Guntars Silagailis.

Gamble’s replacement, Stephen O'Donnell, has been unable to play much football recently either because of injury an a one-match suspension and Cork failed to show their usual close team-work and understanding.

Bophemians also showed changes - Joseph N’do and Gary Deegan passed late fitness tests with Mark Rossiter and ex-Cork City star Neale Fenn dropping to the bench. Jason McGuinness was suspended.

Bohs went into the game with one win in three and lying second in the table, three points behind the Leesiders, but there was nothing to choose between the two in a relatively quiet first half.

Cork looked good initially when Brian Shelley foiled Denis Behan as he burst into the box but then a stray pass by Greg O'Halloran almost left Bohs in but Colin Healy dispossessed Joseph N’do at the last moment.

There was a real competitive edge to the action but chances were few with Cork exerting most of the attacking pressure in the opening half. They were close when Healy's cross found Behan on 18 minutes but his header
was gathered in by Brian Murphy.

Ken Oman nearly put through hs own goal two minutes later with a wild swing at another Healy cross before City skipper Dan Murray headed just wide from Healy's corner mid-way through the half.

Bohs weathered the storm and began to show more in attack with Cork’s captain, Dan Murray making a timely interception to prevent the ball reaching Jason Byrne in the penalty box.

Byrne's decisive goal was the big talking point at the end of a very tight and highly competitive contest as Billy Dennehy missed a chance to equalise on 76 minutes when O'Donnell picked him out on the edge of the box.

Cork City (4-3-3) - Connor; Horgan, O'Halloran, Murray (capt), Murphy; Healy, Lordan, Gamble; Kuduzovic, Behan, Dennehy.
Subs. O'Donnell for Gamble (injured 7 mins), Silagailis for Dennehy (77 mins), Kiely for Horgan (85 mins), Long & McNulty (not used)

Bohemians (4-5-1) - B. Murphy; A. Murphy, Oman, Shelley, Powell; Carey, Keegan, Deegan, Cronin (capt), Ndo; J. Byrne.
Subs. Brennan for Ndo (76 mins), Fenn for J. Byrne (84 mins), Hughes, S. Byrne & Gregg (not used)

Referee: Dave McKeon (Meath)
 
 
 
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