late strike not enough as Dundalk lose out away to Bohemians

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division

Bohemians 2-1 Dundalk

Dundalk FC are still awaiting their first win in this season’s SSE Airtricity League after losing 2-1 against Bohemians in what was a disappointing display at Dalymount Park.

The Lilywhites fell behind on the stroke of half-time through one of their former players, Jordan Flores, while Declan McDaid added a further blow about 20 minutes from time.

A bright spark for Dundalk was a cracking late goal for debutant Johannes Yli-Kokko, but the HJK Helsinki loanee’s contribution didn’t spark a late fightback for the visitors. 

In what was a first half of few chances, Bohs at least looked the more dangerous, and had the first attempt on 14 minutes through Flores, but his long-ranger was well off target.

Dundalk’s only attempt of the opening 45 minutes came through right-back Archie Davies, who found himself in space before firing a shot well over the top of the crossbar.

Jonathan Afolabi was proving to be real thorn in the Dundalk side, and he hooked one just wide of the outstretched Nathan Shepperd’s post just shy of the half-hour mark.

Bohs scored in first-half stoppages through Flores, who after Louie Annesley had pulled down Dylan Connolly, curled an unstoppable free-kick beyond the grasp of Shepperd.

Rather than Dundalk pushing for an equaliser in the second half, it was Bohs who continued to press, with Keith Buckley having a dangerous shot across the face of goal, before Ali Coote forced Shepperd to save after dancing around the Lilywhite rearguard.

The Gypsies made it 2-0 on 71 minutes when Connor Malley was intercepted by Paddy Kirk, and he played it out to Afolabi on the left, who then found McDaid to make it 2-0.

The Lilywhites did give themselves some hope on 90 minutes through new signing Yli-Kokko, but his excellent debut goal was too little, too late for Stephen O’Donnell’s side, who just couldn’t fashion any more chances throughout six minutes of additional time. 

Bohemians: James Talbot; Keith Buckley, Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Paddy Kirk; Adam McDonnell, Jordan Flores; Dylan Connolly (James Akintunde 85), Ali Coote (Kris Twardek 85), Declan McDaid (Krystian Nowak 77); Jonathan Afolabi (Dean Williams 85)

Subs not used: Luke Dennison (gk), James McManus, James Clarke, John O’Sullivan, Drew Baker

Dundalk FC: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies (Rayhaan Tulloch 80), Hayden Muller, Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley; Alfie Lewis (Johannes Yli-Kokko 36), Paul Doyle (John Martin 75); Greg Sloggett, Connor Malley (Cameron Elliott 75), Ryan O’Kane (Daniel Kelly 55); Patrick Hoban

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Darragh Leahy, Keith Ward, Wasiri Williams

Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)

Attendance: 4,432