Bohemians 1 Dundalk 2
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(© Inpho) |
Martin Murray's Dundalk upset the odds in the FAI Cup Final at Tolka Park this afternoon by beating holders Bohemians 2-1 thanks to two goals from Garry Haylock.
The result triggered jubilant seems amongst majority Dundalk contingent in the 9,200 crowd, but the expression on the faces of the Bohemians players suggested they were none too impressed with the irony of an already-relegated team qualifying for the UEFA Cup ahead of the country's only fully-professional club.
Bohemians, however, only have themselves to blame - for all their poise and pretty intentions, they never looked penetrative and goalking Glen Crowe never had a sniff of glory.
Veteran full-back Tony O'Connor fired them into the lead in the 40th minute - cutting inside from the right, he unleashed a low swerving left-foot drive from 25 yards which hurtled past goalkeeper John Connolly. It was O'Connor's first goal for the club since the winner in last season's final, and Bohs were playing with such assurance, he seemed certain to pick up another winner's medal.
However, robust Dundalk battled their way back, and drew level just three minutes later, when Haylock trapped the ball instantly in the box, then swiveled and rifled it past a nonplussed Wayne Russell.
Haylock struck again just after the break. Stephen McGuinness butted a powerful header towards goal from a corner, which Haylock unwittingly blocked, but before Bohs fans thought to thank him, he performed another expert swivel-and-shot, and rammed the ball home from two yards.
Bohs tried to make their technical supremacy count, but relentless tackling from Ciaran Kavanagh and John Flanagan in the midfield meant Kevin Hunt faded rather than came to the fore. Despite the fact they enjoyed most of the possession, Bohs were creating precious few chances, and it was punt-happy Dundalk who looked the more dangerous on the break.
Bohs chances took a fatal blow in the 74th minute, when enterprising left-back Simon Webb was shown a straight red card for tripping Martin Reilly as the Dundalk man tried to latch on to a Haylock pass. Though the foul was blatant, there was considerable doubt as to whether Reilly would have got to the ball, but Webb walked, and Dundalk began to realise the Cup was heading back with them to Oriel Park.
Reilly could have added a silky third late on, but in the last quarter of the game it was Dundalk's defenders - especially McGuinness and Donal Broughan - who stood out thanks to a series of courageous and crucial interceptions. Thus, Bohemians ran out of ideas against a team who never ran out of breath.