Shane Power (Clonmel) slides in to tackle Zach Shanahan of Bohs.
Bohemians 0; Clonmel Town 0 (AET – Clonmel won 3-1 on pens)
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Bohemians bowed out of the Umbro FAI Youth cup on Sunday afternoon last after losing out on penalties against Clonmel Town and were left to rue countless missed chances at Ben Wadding Park.
Adam Heaslip had a decent opportunity to put his side in the lead inside nine minutes when Ryan Foley whipped in a right-wing corner kick and when the ball was flicked on by Paul Whyte into the path of Heaslip, the defender dragged his effort inches wide of the far post.
When Zach Shanahan fed Paul Whyte with a superb pass on 28 minutes, the latter burst into the penalty area; however, the Irish underage international striker drilled a low right-footed shot straight at ’keeper Evan Comerford, who got down well at the near post to save.
The same two players combined again on 31 minutes when Shanahan picked out his team-mate with a brilliant ball over the top but Whyte’s overhead kick from close range was off-target.
It has to be said that Clonmel Town disappointed going forward during a very tough first half that kept referee Gavin Keyes on his toes and the official had to issue a total of four yellow cards during the opening 45 minutes. Shane Fagan had the visitors’ only chance when he blazed over the bar from distance on 40 minutes.
Shane Nolan looked odds-on to break the deadlock within 60 seconds of the restart when he latched onto a pass from Zach Shanahan; however, the centre-forward saw his left-footed effort flashes just inches wide of the far post with Comerford beaten.
After been rarely threatened during the course of the contest, Bohemians goalkeeper Dylan Power produced a top-class save on 49 minutes when Rob Fitzpatrick flicked the ball into the path of Michael Ivers but his shot was superbly tipped around the post. Ryan Foley then a superb effort from distance saved on the stretch by ’keeper Comerford.
After extra-time failed to separate the sides, penalties were needed. Adam Heaslip scored first in the shootout for Bohemians, but it went downhill from there as Shane Nolan, Mark Dwan and Zach Shanahan all missed.
This was a disappointing end to the game for the home side as they gave it their best through the 110 minutes but they just couldn’t find the back of the Clonmel net and ended up paying the price.
Bohemians: Dylan Power, Dean Hayes, Mark Dwan, Adam Heaslip, Kevin Barry, James Connolly, Ryan Foley (Michael Orpen, 99 mins), Thomas Croke, Shane Nolan, Paul Whyte and Zach Shanahan.
Clonmel Town: Evan Comerford, Brian O’Hara, Shane Power, Jonathan Ryan, Michael Quinilivan, Shane Fagan, Evan McGuire, Stephen O’Reilly, Rob Fitzpatrick, Cuique Silva and Michael Ivers.
Referee: Gavin Keyes.
