AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION
Brennan's a party 'Killer' as Bohs pip the new boys
BOHEMIANS..................................1 SPORTING FINGAL........................ 0
Shaun Maher slides in to tackle Bohemians' Rafael Cretaro during Friday's Airtricity Premier Division clash at Dalymount Park.
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Wednesday March 10 2010
IF only football matches were decided on merit and other such attributes, and not just goals alone, the Sporting Fingal camp would be a happier place this week. The Premier Division debutants received an early lesson in the unforgiving world of the top league, conceding a soft penalty late on to hand victory to an uninspiring Bohemians side.
The clash of FAI Cup and League winners seemed to appeal to the people of north Dublin, with long lines of football hungry fans still snaking around the stadium well into the opening minutes of the game.
Those who got in on time for kick-off would have witnessed Sporting make an assured start to life in the top flight.
Lorcan Fitzgerald was unlucky not to capitalise on a weak Brian Shelley back pass, foiled by an alert Barry Murphy, the ex-Shamrock Rovers man making his Bohs' debut.
Another ex Rovers man, Liam Buckley gave 5 of his preseason signings their Fingal debuts, but Bohs legend Glen Crowe had to be content with a place on the bench.
Having spent last season playing attractive passing football, Buckley sent his charges out to contain the league champions, choosing a defensive 4-5-1 formation over his usual 4-3-3 that had gained the side so many admirers amongst football puritans during the club's advance towards last season's Cup final. Buckley's tactics stifled Bohs, who, despite enjoying long periods of possession, were unable to create anything of substance in the final third of the pitch.
Bohs' best chance of the first half came from the head of Paddy Madden who had a close-range effort cleared off the line by Fitzgerald.
Prolific goalscorer Conan Byrne put a stop to his goal habit for one night, but not for the want of trying, stinging the fingers of Barry Murphy with a free kick on the edge of the box midway through the opening half.
Fingal could have taken the lead immediately after the resumption of the second half, with Gary O'Neill going close, though shots on goal weren't a sign of things to come, with the game settling back down into a midfield battle.
With the game threatening to finish on a controversy-free note, referee Derek Tomney pointed to the spot for a penalty, which was impossible to see, even if you were wearing the new Bohs-tinted glasses available in the club shop!
Anto Murphy went to ground a little too easy after some 'leaning' from new Fingal signing Keith Quinn.
Killian Brennan sent Fingal 'keeper Brendan Clarke the wrong way to effectively make it game, set match and Bohs – although Dalymount old boy Crowe had a chance to level near the death, spurning his effort from three yards.
- Kevin BRANNIGAN
