Bohemians draw with Shamrocks Rovers in enthralling Dublin derby

DUBLIN DERBY: It was honours even as Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers could not be separated in an enthralling Dublin derby as a boisterous 4,429 inside Dalymount Park.

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Bohemians 1 (Piszczek 23’) Shamrock Rovers 1 (Kenny 42’)

It was honours even as Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers could not be separated in an enthralling Dublin derby as a boisterous 4,429 inside Dalymount Park.

The Gypsies, looking to bounce back from last Friday's surprise defeat at Oriel Park, and having won the three previous to the defeat, almost fell behind with a minute played when Aboubacar Keita’s sloppy clearance fell kindly to Johnny Kenny who blasted over from close range.

The reigning Champions saw some light at the end of the injury-filled tunnel with the likes of Jack Byrne, Neil Farrugia and Markus Poom available and fit enough to take their places on the bench and moments later missed a gilt edged chance to get in front. Conan Noonan’s clever slide-rule pass found the in-form Aaron Greene - who broke the offside trap - but was denied expertly by Kacper Chorazka when one-on-one.

But with the raucous roar from a sold out home support, Bohs began to grow into the game. Having looked dangerous from earlier pieces, momentum began to swirl around Phibsorough and with 24 minutes played the home side got their noses in front.

Leon Pohls' rushed clearance was headed straight back into danger by Jordan Flores and picked up by James Akintunde, who initially looked offside at a glance , but played to the whistle before slipping in Filip Picszczek who hit a thunderous strike into the roof of the net.

Still in the ascendancy, it was Bohs turn to then miss a one-on-one when Dale Rooney raced clear before dinking his effort over Pohls but agonisingly just past the far post.

To their credit the five-in-a-row chasing Champions didn’t panic and weathered the Bohs storm and got themselves level just before the break. The busy Aaron Greene raced down the left, aiming a low cross towards Darragh Burns at the back post, but saw it cut out by Paddy Kirk on the stretch. The ball then fell invitingly to Johnny Kenny who made no mistake from close range for his fifth of the season.

The half time break did nothing to ease the tension as both sets of players came flying out of the traps and with a couple of minutes played there were huge calls for a penalty from the home support and players alike.

Substitute James Clarke was released down the right hand side of the area before squaring to the initially unmarked Piszczek, but just as the big front man pulled the trigger, was then seemingly bundled into the back by the earlier booked Dan Cleary. Referee Damien MacGraith waved away the protests much to the dismay of the Polish front man and the thousands in situ.

But the Hoops kept playing at their tempo trying to subdue the crowd and at the hour mark were unlucky not to snatch the lead when Trevor Clarke burst through the midfield, taking on all-comers before dragging his low shot just wide of the far post.

But despite both sides' relentless efforts the all-action encounter finished all square with Rovers still two-points off league leaders Shelbourne, with Bohs staying in fourth six points off the summit.

Bohemian FC: Kacper Chorazka; Luke Matheson, Jevon Mills, Aboubacar Keita, Paddy Kirk; Adam McDonnell, Brian McManus (James Clarke, 10’), Jordan Flores (James McManus, 76’); James Akintunde (Declan McDaid, 76’), Dayle Rooney, Filip Piszczek (Dylan Connolly, 67’) Subs not used: James Talbot, Danny Grant, Martin Miller, Cian Byrne, Michael Lilander 

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Joshua Honohan; Darragh Nugent, Dylan Watts (Markus Poom, 36’), Conan Noonan (Jack Byrne, 81’), Trevor Clarke (Neil Farrugia, 81’) ; Darragh Burns (Sean Kavanagh, 85’), Johnny Kenny, Aaron Greene Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Sean Kavanagh, Cian Barrett, John O’Sullivan, Cory O’Sullivan, Matthew Britton 

Referee: Damien MacGraith