Grant hits hat-trick while Bohs keeps title race alive

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Danny Grant scored a brilliant hat-trick to bring the Bohemians within three points of securing European football next season when Shelbourne paid the penalty at Tolka Park.

Bohemians boss Keith Long got the performance he wanted after last week’s lackluster display, despite beating Derry City, to narrow the gap to eight points behind leader Shamrock Rovers at the top of the league. Premier Division table with four games to play.

The Gypsies simply had too much for Shelbourne in this first North Dublin derby at Drumcondra in seven years.

Shelbourne was left to lament a missed 1-0 down penalty that could have changed the game as they still eagerly look over their shoulders.

It’s eight games without a win now for Ian Morris’ Reds, who remain at the bottom third of the table.

Despite enjoying all the possession, the Bohemians had to work hard to penetrate Shelbourne’s well-organized and stubborn defense from the start.

It was 18 minutes before a marauding run by Kris Twardek stretched the home team for the first time.

The Canadian ran away from Alex O’Hanlon and Luke Byrne on the right to cross. Dan Byrne was well positioned to make the punt with Andre Wright on the prowl.

Colin McCabe worked for the first time in 22 minutes, Wright deftly turning to shake off two defenders, though his shot didn’t have the power to upset the Shelbourne goalkeeper.

The home goal remained under siege as Dan Byrne returned to defend well to block a shot from the Bohemians forward after Dawson Devoy created the opening with good footwork from the left.

The pressure counted in 29 minutes, even if it emanated from a meter.

Right-back Andy Lyons interrupted Shelbourne’s attack down the left. The fumble found Wright in a central position that deftly waited to get his pass through Grant’s galloping run.

The winger edged out Luke Byrne to draw McCabe and find the bottom corner with a compound finish.

Grant celebrates his first goal

A mistake by Sheppard should have brought a second goal from the Bohemians four minutes later.

The Shelbourne winger was relieved that Gypsies captain Keith Buckley couldn’t put poison in his shot to upset McCabe, who saved comfortably.

Despite being on the defensive for much of the half, Shelbourne could have been level four minutes before the break with his first start of the night.

Ciaran Kilduff deftly threw the visitors’ offside trap on Mark Byrne’s precise pass.

Having had very little to do until then, James Talbot kept his concentration and rushed out to make a good save with his body from the forward’s angle of attack.

Shelbourne started the second half with a purpose, Mark Byrne fired ample minutes.

That was interrupted by a Grant cameo that left Georgie Poynton to dust in midfield, he worked a one-two with Devoy to shoot off target.

But Shelbourne remembered the better side from the restart.

Mark Byrne had a shot blocked for a corner, while Denzil Fernandes hit a header that went straight to Talbot from an Alex O’Hanlon cross before squandering a glorious opportunity to deservedly equalize in the 67th minute.

Rob Cornwall was booked for taking down Dan Byrne inside the box to award a penalty. But Talbot dived the right way to brilliantly save Poynton’s kick.

Poynton’s mistake six minutes later saw the Bohemians score their second goal.

Wright caught Shelbourne’s right-back in possession to set up Grant, who calmly converted his right-footed shot off the far post.

The hat-trick came in the 80th minute, Grant continued to find the far corner after McCabe parried a shot from Wright.

Poynton redeemed his penalty with Shelbourne’s consolation goal with two minutes remaining as he headed home with a cross from Dayle Rooney.

Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Georgie Poynton, Dan Byrne, Luke Byrne, Alex O’Hanlon; Gary Deegan, Sean Quinn; Denzil Fernandes (Shane Farrell 76), Mark Byrne (Ryan Brennan 71), Karl Sheppard (Dayle Rooney 71); Ciaran Kilduff (Aaron Dobbs 76).

Bohemians: James Talbot; Andy Lyons, Rob Cornwall, Dan Casey, Anto Breslin; Keith Buckley (JJ Linney 87), Conor Levingston (Ross Tierney 69); Kris Twardek, Dawson Devoy (Keith Ward 76), Danny Grant; Andre Wright (Danny Corcoran 87).

Referee: Rob Harvey (Dulin) 6.



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