Rovers women tops in Dublin derby
A 1,011 strong crowd streamed through the Dalymount Park turnstiles on what was a glorious Saturday afternoon to support the Bohemians women in their Dublin Derby clash against Shamrock Rovers.
Stephanie Zambra would make her first start for Collie O’Neill’s outfit since their 4-0 win over DLR Waves at Tallaght in April, while for Bohs, Tiegan Ruddy and Alannah McEvoy were named to face their alma mater along with Bohs May Player of The Month, Savannah Kane.
The visitors started on the front foot with Joy Ralph and Zambra on the hunt early doors.
Melissa O’Kane once again looked a different class in the centre of the park as the number 22 turned Katie Malone in the 17th with a feint straight out of Madison Square Gardens.
Bohs looked dangerous on the counter, their one touch football a real pleasure to witness for both the home fans and the neutral as their wingers looked to exploit the channels.
Rovers continued to press but were unable to convert in the final third. As the shade fell across the pitch at Dalymount a shot from Ralph caused havoc in the box and Zambra was quick to pounce – only the iron will of Lisa Murphy denying the Shankill native from netting the opener.
The Bohemian women received an appreciative applause for their efforts as they sauntered back to the dressing room at half-time, with the contest remaining deadlocked.
Rovers started the second half with the intensity of a team 1 goal down with five left to play.
Ciara Smith and Murphy would keep their side afloat as Rovers unleashed wave after wave of attack to no avail.
That was until The Hoops centre-back, Jess Hennessy, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and charged forward, her tall frame dancing past three.
Winning her side a corner, it was only fitting that the Mullingar native would score The Hoops first.
As O’Gorman whipped the set-piece into the box, Hennessy charged into view as if from the ether, her towering header powering the ball into the top right bin in the 50th minute.
The story could have been very different at Dalymount with Bohs creating two significant chances to level the contest across the ten-minute spell before Rovers’ secured a second in the 63rd.
The visitors goal minder Summer Lawless would keep her side one ahead and finish the tie with a clean sheet.
O’Kane would secure the visitors 2nd, the power behind her long range effort beating the Bohs captain who could only watch as the ball bounced behind and across her goal line.
The needle between Ralph and Smith was on display for the remaining half hour as both attacker and defender attempted to outsmart the other – both players appearing to enjoy the competitive edge as they flashed a smile.
Rovers cruised to a third in the 70th when O’Gorman sprung to meet a deft cross at the end of an O’Leary whip – the skipper guiding the ball with her head into the bottom right-hand corner.
The crowd at Dalymount became subdued as the final twenty wound down and The Hoops sought to finish in style.
A glancing header from O’Reilly in the 81st would secure their 4th and the teenagers first senior contribution as the Rovers gears clicked in unison. The contest would end 4-0 to Collie O’Neills eleven.
The Hoops now sit in 8th place in the Premier Division Table – one spot above Bohemians due to the goal differential between both teams.
Rovers next travel to Sligo for their round ten league fixture where they will face Tommy Hewitts’ Bit O’Reds on June 15th at The Showgrounds.
Kick-off 7pm.
