10-man Derry City lose to contentious penalty at Bohemians

Bohemians 1

Derry City 0

Robbie Benson was sent off as Derry City fell to a contentious first-minute penalty decision at Bohemians. 

The Candystripes are now nine points off Shamrock Rovers in first place after falling to successive defeats, and they head into the mid-season break with plenty to ponder after a frustrating night at Dalymount Park.

The game started disastrously for the visitors who conceded a penalty within 22 seconds of kick-off. James Clarke’s shot from the edge of the area cannoned off Mark Connolly and referee Ron Hennessey immediately pointed to the spot, claiming the Derry City captain had handled the ball. Dayle Rooney then slammed the ball into the top corner to give Bohemians a dream start less than two minutes into the game.

It didn’t get any better for the Candystripes after that, and Bohs’ control of the game was such that Tiernan Lynch made a tactical change midway through the first half, withdrawing Shane Ferguson and replacing him with Gavin Whyte, as he changed system to four at the back.

Still, Bohs remained on top and the lively Rooney picked out Adam McDonnell in behind but he hooked his effort wide under pressure from Brian Maher. Moments later Clarke capitalised on a mistake from Kevin Holt but shot just wide, and it was clear that the visitors needed the respite of half-time to reset.

Still, there were signs of life from Derry just before the break when a good, patient build-up from the away side ended with O’Reilly crossing dangerously into the near post where Danny Mullen was just inches away from turning the ball onto the net.

Lynch’s displeasure at his team’s first half display was clear with his decision to make three further changes at the break, Hayden Cann, Kevin Holt and Michael Duffy all withdrawn and replaced by Ronan Boyce, Ben Doherty and Dom Thomas.  

Still, Bohs could have doubled their lead five minutes after the restart when a Bohs corner saw Jordan Flores escape the attentions of his marker and he very nearly guided a header into the top corner, the ball flashing just past the upright.

Lynch was then apoplectic when referee Hennessey ignored a penalty appeal for his side when Paul McMullan was pushed over inside the area, the City players holding their heads in disbelief that a spot-kick wasn’t awarded.

Nothing was going Derry’s way at all as Doherty went off injured just 12 minutes after coming on at half-time, with Lynch forced into his last substitution, with Robbie Benson his replacement.

Benson was so close to an equaliser for a patched-up Derry City on 70 minutes when makeshift full-back O’Reilly played a superb ball right across goal and the midfielder was just edged off the ball by Niall Morahan on the line as the ball somehow stayed out. Benson appealed for a penalty, but again, Hennessey said no.

There was no doubt that Derry City were taking control of the game in the latter stages and Bohs’ defender Grehan came to his team’s rescue to deny Thomas an equaliser, the winger’s volley cleared off the line after coming in at the back post to meet Whyte’s cross.

The final sign that it just wasn’t going to be Derry City’s night came eight minutes from time when Benson, on the pitch just over 20 minutes, received his second yellow card, leaving the visitors to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.

Teams

Bohemians: Chorazka, Morahan (McManus 88’), Cornwall, Flores, Rooney, Devoy, Clarke (Whelan 74’), McDonnell (Buckley 65’), Meekison (Brennan 65’), Tierney (Mountney 88’), Grehan.

Derry City: Maher, Cann (R Boyce HT’), Connolly, Holt (Doherty HT’ (Benson 60’)), Ferguson (Whyte 25’), Todd, O’Reilly, Winchester, McMullan, Duffy (Thomas HT’), Mullen.

Referee: Rob Hennessey.