Finn rescues 10-man Rovers

IT was honours even in the big Dublin derby last night as a game which only rarely hit the heights in terms of quality, produced a dramatic finish and a crowd of 3,100 as Shamrock Rovers, a goal behind and reduced to 10 men, broke Bohemians hearts and snatched a 93rd minute equaliser through a towering Ronan Finn header from a Conor McCormack corner.

Bohemians’ unexpectedly strong start to a season which many had predicted would be nothing but a vale of tears had seen them accumulate 11 points from six games going into their first ‘Old Firm’ game of 2011. Rovers were looking to get the defence of their title back on track after their unbeaten league start had come to a shock halt at home to Bray last week.

Manager Michael O’Neill had obviously been taken with the redemptive midweek 2-0 win against Sligo, opting last night to start the same side which had come out on top in that Setanta Cup game against the Bit O’ Red, meaning they were once again without injured Gary Twigg.

The out-of-bounds Connaught Street side of Dalymount Park meant that the travelling Hoops support was massed in The Shed, offering them a bird’s eye view of Alan Mannus’ safe hands when the Rovers keeper held Killian Brennan’s 25-yard free-kick five minutes into what was a lively start by the home side. Indeed, it was a full 16 minutes before the visitors even vaguely threatened the Bohs goal, Ken Oman heading a Ronan Finn free from the right over the top. Further evidence that the champions were decidedly out of sorts came a moment later when Mannus allowed a bobbling back pass from Conor McCormack to clip off his boot and roll over the line for a corner.

Yet Rovers probably should have gone ahead in the 21st moment when, unmarked from a McCormack corner, Dean Kelly couldn’t direct a free header under the bar.

But that was about as close as the visitors came to breaking the deadlock in a first half in which Bohs, from the hard-working Anto Flood upfront to the inspirational skipper Owen Heary at right-back, were winning nearly all the key battles around the pitch, even if they didn’t manage to fashion a clear-cut goal chance themselves.

There was more urgency and coherence about Rovers’ play in the opening to the second half but it was Bohs striker Anto Flood who was left holding his head in his hands just short of the hour when he snatched at a shot with Mannus to beat, dragging his effort across goal.

Killian Brennan was next to feel the pain, as his low curving free-kick was pushed around the post by Mannus. But from the resultant corner, Bohs finally got their just reward in the 72nd minute. Ex-Rovers man Aidan Price headed against the bar before 18-year-old new boy Keith Buckley, making his first start at Dalymount, bundled the rebound over the line and wheeled away in celebration.

Moments later, when Pat Fenlon replaced him with Lee Dixon, the youngster departed the scene to a standing ovation, already guaranteed folk hero status in this neck of the woods.

Things went from bad to worse for Rovers in the 81st minute when Gary McCabe — on as a sub for Stephen Rice 20 minutes earlier — was sensationally shown a straight red card by Anthony Buttimer, apparently for remarks directed at linesman Marc Douglas.

But in the third minute of time added on — and with even Alan Mannus joining the Rovers attack in a last-ditch bid to salvage a point — the game took a final dramatic turn as Ronan Finn rose highest in a packed box to get the 10 men back on level terms with a brilliant header.

BOHEMIANS: O’Connor, Heary, Burns, Price, O’Brien, Buckley (Dixon 79), Bayly, Rossiter, Brennan, Traynor, Flood (Lodola 89).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus, Sullivan, Oman, Murray (Kilduff 83), Stevens, Rice (McCabe 62), McCormack, Finn, Sheppard, Kelly (Dennehy 74), O’Neill.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Next week’s games (7.45pm unless stated)

Monday: Setanta Sports Cup semi-final (2nd leg): Dundalk FC v Cliftonville, Oriel Park.

Tuesday: Setanta Sports Cup semi-final (2nd leg): Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers, Tallaght Stadium; Airtricity League First Division: Athlone Town v Finn Harps, Athlone Town Stadium.

Thursday: Airtricity League First Division: Waterford Utd v Shelbourne, RSC.

Friday: Airtricity League Premier Division: Sligo Rovers v Bohemians, Showgrounds; Bray Wds v Galway United, Carlisle Grounds; Derry City v St Pat’s, Brandywell; Drogheda Utd v Dundalk, Hunky Dorys Park; Shamrock Rovers v UCD, Tallaght, 8pm).

First Division: Salthill Devon v Cork City, Drom (3pm); Athlone Town v Mervue Utd, Athlone Town Stadium (7.30pm); Finn Harps v Longford Town, Finn Park (8pm); Monaghan Utd v Wexford Youths, Gortakeegan (8pm).