Sport

Cherrie's late heroics earn Dundalk a replay

FAI Cup 4th round/Dundalk 0 Bohemians 0: DUNDALK and Bohemians will have to scrap it out again in a replay on Tuesday after …

Sat Aug 15 2009 - 01:00

FAI Cup 4th round/Dundalk 0 Bohemians 0:DUNDALK and Bohemians will have to scrap it out again in a replay on Tuesday after a full-blooded cup tie failed to produce a winner at Oriel Park last night.

Bohs will be happy to take Dundalk back to Dalymount Park, but they will feel they should have got the job done at the first attempt. With 91 minutes on the clock, Neale Fenn’s beautiful lay-off fell to the unmarked Jason Byrne eight yards out, but he was denied by a point-blank save from Peter Cherrie.

It earned Dundalk another shot at redemption. Seán Connor’s side played the final 13 minutes with 10 men after Shaun Kelly was harshly dismissed for a second bookable offence, the third time a Dundalk player has been sent off against Bohs this season.

Clear chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes. Michael McGowan tested Brian Murphy with an early free-kick which the Bohs number one dealt with very capably.

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Paddy Madden had the ball in the net for the cup holders in the 15th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Gary Deegan then flashed an effort just wide of the post as Pat Fenlon’s men began to find their stride.

However, Dundalk finished the half strongly. Liam Burns and Mickey Collins both had shots blocked from the edge of the penalty area before Ger Rowe had the ball nicked off his toe by Brian Shelley just as he was about to pull the trigger from close range.

Bohs almost silenced the crowd in the 39th minute with a lightning-quick break. Joseph Ndo raced clear on the left before picking out Byrne at the far post, but the striker could only scuff his volley into the ground.

The champions started the second half on the front foot, pinning Dundalk into their own half and they should have been ahead in the 53rd minute when Ndo’s header was cleared off the line by Shaun Kelly.

The result should suit the champions, however it did not seem to please Fenlon.

The Bohs manager had plenty of words with Seán Connor on the touchline and he was also involved in a verbal exchange with home supporters at the final whistle.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; McGowan, Burns, Heary, Simon Kelly; Shaun Kelly, Daly, Collins, McKinlay; Williams (Mansaram, 84 mins), Rowe.

BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Rossiter (Owen Heary, 84 mins), Oman, Shelley, Powell; Ndo, Keegan, Deegan (Murphy, 64), Brennan, Madden (Fenn, 75), Byrne.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).