Rovers' under pressure to take point from Bohs clash

Bohemians 0 Shamrock Rovers 0

Shamrock Rovers’ tag of title favourites received a thorough examination at Dalymount Park as they had to hang on for a point with 10 men.

In the end it was Aaron Callaghan’s young Bohemians side who left the field frustrated after a missed opportunity to put one over their arch-rivals as their lack of a real threat in the final third cost them victory.

With the very bumpy surface perhaps more suiting Bohs, it was the Gypsies who started the better as Rovers adopted a surprisingly physical approach.

And it was an approach that cost Trevor Croly’s side on 36 minutes when his overzealous Hoops were reduced in numbers.

Booked minutes earlier for a heavy challenge on Chris Lyons, which resulted in the Bohs' striker having to go off, Derek Foran was shown another card on 36 minutes and was sent off for a rash challenge on Karl Moore following a counterattack.

With the extra man, Bohs took the game to Rovers with added vigour in the second half, but it was the 68th minute before the first shot on target arrived as Moore’s drive from 25 yards brought Barry Murphy into action for the only time.

With Ciaran Kilduff and Sean O’Connor called from the bench, a reshuffled Rovers were going to get chances. When they did, though, Bohs held firm at the back with Roberto Lopes making a brave block from a Shane Robinson shot. Captain Owen Heary then led by example scarcely a minute later with a timely tackle on Kilduff.