Reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Ross Tierney’s first half finish was the difference as Bohemians ran out 1-0 winners over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon, capping off an eventful opening weekend in the League of Ireland.
The Dublin Derby set a new attendance record for a league game, as 33,208 fans made the trip to Lansdowne Road.
The occasion of playing a record setting league match at the Aviva might be enough to overawe some players, especially if they score the winning goal, but Ross Tierney was taking everything in his stride after the full time whistle.
“If it was down the other end it probably would have been more enjoyable,” said Tierney, commenting on the celebrations in front of the Shamrock Rovers fans
“I knew not to go too overboard because it was quite early on, still.”
“It was obviously great to give them a bit. It’s fine. They can give me a bit, I can give them a bit. I think that’s what the game's for.”
“When the whistle goes, we’re all human beings, we go back to our families but for the hour and a half that we have outside I think it’s quite enjoyable to interact with the fans.”
The two key stories before this game revolved around the strikers on both sides. Lys Moussett’s competitive debut for the Gypsies was highly anticipated after his shock move to Dalymount park. The man Bohemains fans have affectionately called ‘The Moose’ has given fans of the Dalymount side a renewed sense of optimism as the club enjoyed a fruitful transfer window. On the other side of the white lines, Michael Noonan’s extraordinary achievement midweek of becoming the youngest player to score on a European competition has sparked a huge amount of interest in the transition year student.
Once the game kicked off, there was that familiar hostility between the two sides. Flares green and red erupted from behind both goals as this historic matchup got underway. Shamrock Rovers, riding the wave of momentum following on from their 1-0 away win at Molde last on Thursday, had the better of the opening minutes. However, a few pot shots from Graham Burke were the only efforts of note as the Hoops failed to turn their possessional dominance into a lead on the scoreboard.
As the first half continued, Bohemians grew more confident in themselves, epitomised by their captain Dawson Devoy. The Ashbourne native never looked flustered in the first half even after some agricultural tackles from Danny Mandriou and Daniel Cleary. After an opening 20 minutes of cagey football between these two bitter rivals, this afternoon’s ‘home’ team took the lead.
A driven pass into the feet of Moussett was expertly directed into the path of Connor Parsons who drove at an angle into the Rovers penalty area. Jinking inside, the former Waterford winger’s curling effort bounced off the post into the path of the onrushing Ross Tierney. With the ball landing a few yards out from goal, the Bohemians attacker was never going to miss.
Bohs could have been two to the good before halftime when Devoy’s headed interception outside the Rovers’ penalty area found Dayle Rooney on his favoured left foot, but Ed McGintey got down smartly to parry his effort away. After this scare in the box, Shamrock Rovers enjoyed a better end to the first half and this momentum followed Steven Bradley’s side into the second forty-five.
After existing on the fringes of the game, Michael Noonan was given his first real opportunity just before the hour mark. A searching ball though to Noonan looked likely to create a golden opportunity for the Hoops, but Noonan’s shot was dragged wide of James Talbot’s left-hand post.
Bohemians were looking out of ideas but not of energy as they hassled and harried Rovers in the second period. The Tallaght side were dominant but had not been able to produce a clear cut opportunity. That is, until Burke danced his way along the Bohemians’ touchline to square for substitute Victor Ozhianvuna.
The 16-year-old scuffed his shot into the path of Noonan who looked certain to score, but his effort bounced off one of his teammates on the line and bobbled wide for a goal kick.
As Bradley’s team became more and more dominant, James Talbot emerged as an integral figure between the sticks for Reynolds’ men. By pulling off some solid saves and cleaning up several searching passes from the Rovers midfield, Talbot enjoyed a fruitful return to the Bohemians side.
Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to bounce back from their derby day defeat when they host Molde in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday evening. A win or a draw would send the Hoops through to the next stage of the European Conference League, in what would be a historic result for the club and the league.
As for Bohemians, they make the trip up to the Brandywell Stadium for their first away game of the season against Derry City on Friday night.
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