Bohemians were held to a 0-0 draw by Shamrock Rovers in a pulsating Dublin derby in Dalymount Park on Sunday.

The Gypsies looked the more likely to win the game with Patrick Madden, Jason Byrne, and Anthony Murphy all coming close, but that goal never arrived.

Pat Fenlon opted to only make two changes from the team that narrowly lost to Red Bull Salzburg in midweek, while Rovers were missing Ian Bermingham and Sean O’Connor from their line-up.

Traditionally this fixture has always been a feisty affair and this particular game didn’t lack any of that renowned bite. There were plenty of chances too with both sides threatening at different stages of the match.

It was the visitors who registered the first shot on goal though as Craig Sives powered a header at keeper Brian Murphy after he connected with a Shane Robinson free-kick from the left wing.

Gary Twigg then hooked a shot wide after indecision in the Bohemians box, while Ollie Cahill almost profited from a Mark Rossiter mistake but his shot was gathered by Murphy.

Up the other end, Jason Byrne forced Rovers number one Barry Murphy into a great save after he tried his luck with a long-range free-kick. The league’s top scorer would come close again minutes later when his shot fizzed past the outside of the post.

The best move of the first-half came when Conor Powell steamed forward and played a return pass with Gary Deegan before the ball fell to Madden who brought a save out of the Rovers keeper and then dragged the rebound wide.

After the break, a moment of magic from Joseph Ndo allowed Powell to direct a shot at goal that was almost deflected into his own net by Aidan Price, but Barry Murphy was alert to the danger.

Neither team were able to take control of the game despite their efforts of catching each other off guard. Bohemians may have bossed the possession, but Rovers kept shutting them out with Shane Robinson and Stephen Rice working hard in midfield.

As the clock ticked down, it became clear that there was not going to be any winner from this contest – but that wasn’t to suggest that the two teams didn’t stop searching for that goal that would have clinched the three points.

Deegan had a great chance to seal the win when he charged through from midfield, but the former Galway United man was unable to find the back of the net with his effort.

In the end, a point each was probably a fair outcome, although Bohemians will feel that they should have made more of their chances and second-half possession.

Bohemians: B Murphy, Rossiter (Cronin 86), Oman, Shelley, Powell, A Murphy (Brennan 72), Keegan, Deegan, Ndo, Madden (Crowe 72), J Byrne.
Substitutes Not Used: Gregg, McGuinness.

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy, Treacy, Price, Sives, Flynn, Purcell, Robinson, Rice (McGill 84), Cahill, Twigg, Baker (Bradley 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Duggan, Madden, Maguire.

Referee: Damien Hancock