FAI CUP/Bohemians1 Shelbourne 0:BOHEMIANS EMPHASISED the gulf in class between the top two divisions as they cruised to a comfortable 1-0 victory over a limited if disciplined Shelbourne at Dalymount Park last night.
Bohemians’ season looks to be taking a turn for the better in what was their fourth successive win in all competitions.
Shelbourne, understandably, adopted a cautious 4-5-1 formation with Philip Gorman handed the thankless task of leading the line but apart for some sporadic contributions, his influence was minimal as his team-mates failed to offer him sufficient support from midfield.
It was former Shelbourne captain Owen Heary who had the game’s opening opportunity but his free header from Ruaidhri Higgins’s second-minute corner was directed too close to Dean Delaney in the visitors’ goal.
Shelbourne’s tendency to lose concentration, particularly in the back four, has been the one constant theme in their inconsistent season to date and it resurfaced in the 20th minute when Jason Byrne found himself free to the right of goal but Ian Ryan scrambled well to intercept as Paddy Madden waited to pounce.
However, two minutes later, another lapse down the left flank was clinically punished as Heary galloped untouched to the end line and his precision cross was superbly finished by former Shels man Madden from 10 yards.
Shelbourne regrouped well from that point on, generally coping well with a Bohs outfit who looked to have lost some of their intensity as a result of breaking the deadlock, with the game lacking the endeavour and passion expected from a traditional Dublin derby.
Gorman continued to offer great work-rate up front and his industry was almost rewarded in the 38th minute, but his well-directed header from Ray Scully’s cross lacked the necessary power to trouble an underworked Chris O’Connor in the home goal.
As Shelbourne ceded territory and possession, Bohemians looked increasingly bereft of ideas but they almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, only for Mark Quigley’s glancing header from another Higgins corner to drift harmlessly wide of Delaney’s far post.
Bohemians continued in a similar vein upon the resumption, enjoying plenty of possession without showing the incision expected from the league holders.
The closest they came to adding to their tally was when Gareth McGlynn contrived to miss from close range from a Heary header.
BOHEMIANS: OConnor; Heary, Powell, Oman, Shelley; McGlynn (Brennan, 68 mins), Cronin, Higgins, Quigley; Madden, Byrne (Greene, 58 mins).
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Quigley (Corcoran, 67 mins), Byrne, Ryan, Whelan; OBrien, Scully, McGill, Shields, Hughes (Foley, 75 mins); Gorman.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
