Double heartbreak for Hoops in League finals
By Sean Heffernan
SHAMROCK Rovers were twice denied the chance to get their hands on some SSE Airtricity League silverware after both their Under 19s and 17s were beaten in their respective finals.
It was heartbreak for the former on Tuesday night but double delight for Bohemians as the northsiders claimed back-to-back Under 19 League titles with a hard fought 1-0 win in Tallaght Stadium.
Dean Williams of Shamrock Rovers
The Gypsies were vying to do the double having won the Enda McGill Cup in September, and had their eyes set on reclaiming the league title they had won last season.
With Southern Elite Division top scorer Dean Williams having already hit the back of the net 16 times, the Tallaght side had every reason to believe they would end Bohs two-in-a-row dream as they bagged an impressive 44 goals, and conceded just 16 in their 18 league games.
The hosts dominated the early exchanges, but a resolute Bohs defence, in particular Andy Lyons, ensured they saw little action inside the box.
The visitors began to grow in confidence and determination, with Prom-ise Omochere particularly impressive with his searing runs down the wing.
On a number of occasions Daniel Grant and Jamie Hamilton played some excellent balls into the box, but a steely Hoops defence ensured the Bohs forwards could do little to trouble their former teammate Kian Clarke in the Rovers goal.
Indeed, it was Aidan Price’s side who, against the run or play, almost took the lead on 34 minutes, but Williams exquisite side flick was superbly saved by Gypsie’s keeper Seán Bohan.
There were loud shouts for a penalty from the Bohs fans on 37 minutes, when Republic of Ireland Under 19 international striker was brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on.
Yet two minutes after his penalty claim, his teams constant pressure paid off as the deadlock was broken.
An incredible flick by Jamie Hamilton saw Reghba straight on goal, and he coolly slotted the ball past his former club and now international teammate to make it 1-0 on 39 minutes.
Four minutes after the restart, the goalscorer almost doubled his side’s lead, but his turn and shot was superbly saved by Clarke.
Soon after, the Hoops had a penalty shout of their own, when Williams was brought down inside the box, but again the referee was having none of it.
The homeside began to find the composure they had early in the game, and began to launch wave after wave of attacks, however the Bohs centre back pairing of Peter Adigun and Mitchell Byrne were more than equal to the task.
Head Coach Price then took off defender Darren Prendergast and brought on forward Thomas Oluwa as his side desperately chased an equaliser.
However, it was not to be as Bohemians should have scored a second goal on 88 minutes, when Reghba shot wide from close range.
This defeat for the Hoops followed that of the club’s Under 17s in their respective league decider against Finn Harps at Maginn Park on Saturday.
The Ballybofey side hit three goals without response with strikes from Joel Bradley Walsh, Gabriel Aduaka and Conor Black.
After Ronan Gallagher was fouled on the edge of the area, the homeside broke the deadlock from the resulting Bradley Walsh freekick as he glided the ball around the wall and in off the post.
James Clarke almost equalised moments later, only for his shot to hit the crossbar.
Harps doubled their lead just before half-time when Gabriel Aduaka picked out the top right corner before Conor Black rifled the ball into the opposite corner after the interval.
Despite Rovers’ impressive run in the league including a win over rivals St Patrick’s Athletic in the semi-final, Harps went on to make it a league and cup double.
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