Dundalk batsman Bohs at Dalymount

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Dundalk is on his way to yet another FAI Cup final appearance, which would be his sixth on the rebound, to wrap up this crazy national season after beating the Bohemians in an epic first half that essentially decided the outcome in one night. cold in Dublin.

The Lilywhites must first beat Athlone rank outsiders in a semi-final, but with this evidence they will have no trouble and it was another night that underscored that when it comes to 2020, Dundalk is as predictable as the latest round of government restrictions.

They were comfortably the best team here and while they had a bit of luck on their side, first-half goals from Michael Duffy and David McMillan (two) showcased the talent of the 2019 league champs, who seem to turn it on when I need to. be under the command of rookie Filippo Giovagnoli.

Andre Wright’s penalty had Bohs leveling briefly in a game they worked on and they were basically second best. It’s a somewhat tame end to a decent season for Bohs, with his return to European combat serving as a taste of more of that in 2021, and a late goal from Nathan Oduwa after Michael Barker was sent off added to his misery.

Without Pat Hoban, and with a few other key players on the bench, Dundalk was ready from the start and with or without an audience, the prospect of them taking on Shamrock Rovers potentially in a Cup final this season is something to savor with this one. evidence. .

Dundalk’s opener in the second minute was a beautiful thing. Stefan Colovic found McMillan and, after assessing what was happening, threw a ball to Duffy, who finished with conviction. It seemed as if the game had just started and the home team, facing the breeze, was left behind.

Dundalk was absolutely dominant and in eight minutes Dan Cleary took the lead, local stopper James Talbot unhappy with his defense.

Bohs regained his composure fairly quickly and was awarded a penalty in the 14th minute. Wright tried to hook the ball home from close range, but Chris Shields intervened with his hands up and referee Rob Harvey had no choice but to award a penalty, which Wright – after a scare, Gary Rogers almost got enough of his left hand for the ball – converted with 15 missing.

Dundalk was right back, Shields nearly denied the earlier blow, but Talbot followed his shot with the coolness and attention of a sniper, picking up well.

Dundalk’s attacking play was incisive and the standout Duffy was placed again by Colovic in the middle of the half; this time, Talbot’s collection was less conventional, but again he was angry with his defenders afterward.

Danny Grant had been relatively quiet for the first half hour, but after Dan Casey’s marauder run, Grant’s hit reminded everyone of his presence.

Two minutes later, the Ireland Under-21 international, constantly linked with a move across the Irish Sea in the near future, forced Rogers to duck to the right.

Dundalk returned to the front 10 minutes before the break. Duffy ran to the box and, foolishly wrapped up by Keith Buckley, that allowed McMillan to score from the spot.

Surprisingly, the visitors made it 3-1 seven minutes before the break. Cameron Dummigan squared for McMillan, who headed home at the near post, though there was considerable suspicion as to whether the Ulster man had hit the ball after he had approached the baseline.

A wildly entertaining first half, if only people were here to watch it, ended with another dramatic moment, a Barker cross that found Wright, whose header was brilliantly finished off by Andy Boyle. Breathless things.

Sean Gannon hasn’t had one of his best seasons, but it was good for Dundalk tonight, although he embodied concern at the hour mark when Grant appeared behind Ringsend’s man, but his header lacked power after a beautiful ball from Conor Levingston.

Dundalk didn’t look completely confident with just one goal up and Rogers retained that lead amazingly well early in the third quarter. He initially saved substitute Jack Moylan, but, as Dundalk failed to clear properly, Meath’s man made an impressive double save from 16-year-old substitute and Meath teammate Evan Ferguson.

What little hope Bohs had actually evaporated with 18 minutes to go when Barker received a second yellow after a somewhat desperate tackle on Shields.

Talbot, who did little or nothing wrong all night, held a two-goal deficit with saves from substitute Dan Kelly and McMillan, looking for the hat-trick.

However, substitute Oduwa made it 4-1 after hitting a cross from Duffy, Shields had passed the Derry native with a superb daisy cutter.

For Giovagnoli, this will leave him excited for the next season, because of all that this season has a lot of flavor left for a team he is still getting to know.

Keith Long, who recently signed a new four-year deal with Bohs, will reflect on tonight and reflect on what he needs to do to improve Bohs next season, with one or two key players poised to leave.

Bohemians: Talbot; Barker, Casey, Cornwall, Kirk; Grant, Buckley, Levingston (Moylan 66), Devoy, Omochere (Ferguson 56); Wright.

Dundalk: Rogers; Gartland, Boyle, Cleary; Gannon (McEleney 73), Shields, Sloggett, Dummigan (Kelly 80); Colovic (Mountney 73), McMillan (Oduwa 86), Duffy.



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