Bohemians kept their title and cup hopes alive with a resilient 2-1 win at Dundalk's Oriel Park on Friday night, despite finishing the match with ten men. The victory moved them joint-top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division standings on 59 points from 32 games, a position they will look to solidify with four league matches remaining.
Colm Whelan opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 26th minute after Dawson Devoy was fouled. Ross Tierney doubled the lead in the 67th minute, heading home from a Patrick Hickey knockdown after a Jordan Flores corner. Dundalk pulled one back two minutes from time when Daryl Horgan converted a penalty awarded for a foul on substitute Norman Garbett. The drama intensified a minute later when Bohemians defender Cian Byrne was shown a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Harry Groome, but the visitors held on through five minutes of added time.
Match details
Referee Damien MacGraith booked Dundalk's Connor Parsons for a challenge on Harvey Warren in the 28th minute. Bohemians goalkeeper Paul Walters made several key saves, including an early stop from an Aodh Dervin free-kick, to preserve the lead. Manager Alan Reynolds made a series of second-half substitutions, bringing on Niall Morahan, Dayle Rooney, and James Taylor to see out the game. The win extends Bohemians' recent unbeaten run to five matches, a key piece of form as they approach the season's climax.
The result leaves Bohemians second in the Premier Division, level on points with St Patrick's Athletic but behind on goal difference. A place in the final is the prize for the winners, with Bohemians aiming to maintain their challenge on both fronts.
