The Football Holiday (Part One)

The Football Holiday (Part One)

          Right, I'm back from Dublin and I made it back alive! As you may remember, two friends and I booked to go to Dublin for the first game of the season, between Bohemian FC and Shamrock Rovers. Upon booking it we found that the game was actually renowned for violence and rivalry between supporters.

          The trip itself was a success, but only just. We allowed Tom to go ahead and book everything on our behalf and it very nearly backfired very early on. Delayed for 45 minutes at East Midlands Airport, we were aware that we would have to get across Dublin very quickly to get into our accommodation. After 10-20 minutes of verbally abusing him we did manage to get there on time.

A painting on some side gates at Dalymount Park.

          The football though was a really good night. It was refreshing to go to a game where you don't know any of the players but there's still a great atmosphere. During the warm up the two sets of supporters were getting into each other.

          When the game began the away side were the more dominant. Shamrock Rovers dominated the play as you would expect from a side that is frequently in European competition. An end to end period ensued with chances for both sides falling wide, over or into the keepers hands. The first goal came from a freekick. Greg Bolger floated a freekick into the Bohemians box, Shaw won a header, teeing up Graham Burke to acrobatically aim for goal. The former Notts County midfielder was unfortunate to see it hit the post, but Ronan Finn was on hand to volley home the rebound, giving Shamrock the lead.

          Bohemians were the better side from start to finish of the second half though. Their spell of serious pressure coincided with the introduction of Eoghan Stokes from the bench. Towering centre back Dan Casey, who I thought was one of the best players on the night, and hammered a header home from a corner to pull level.

Boh's supporters celebrate Dan Casey's equaliser.

          The home side continued to press, a long ball from the goalkeeper, Supple, was flicked on by Brennan and Kavanagh raced clear, hammering a shot into the goal, sending Horgan the wring way in the process. Soon afterwards it became three, Dan Casey sent a looping header over Horgan who had rushed out to meet the ball, and into the net. It finished 3-1 and the supporters of Bohemians began chants of 'We are top of the league.'

          We spent Saturday trying to keep up with the goings on in England, Where Ollerton drew 1-1 with local rivals and relegation candidates Retford United. Whilst Forest did very similar against Burton, drawing 0-0.

That's all for now.

Until Next Time.

Craig