Delight as Bohs captain Brian Nolan makes it 1-0.
Bohemians 2; Waterford Crystal 2
(AET; Bohs won 5 – 4 on pens)
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Bohemians captured the Waterford Youths Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Ozier Park last Friday evening. Bohs had twice gone in front twice in normal time but on each occasion Crystal pegged them back.
After a pulsating game and extra time it was impossible to separate the two sides so it went to a penalty shoot out. James Connolly had put Bohemians 5-4 up and Davin Phelan had to score to keep Crystal in it, but he shot high and wide and as a result Bohs lifted the cup.
This was a tough battle all through but nevertheless it had its moments between two clubs who have dominated the Youth grade all season. Waterford Crystal had won the league some weeks ago and were seeking the double. Bohs came within a whisker of winning the Munster Youth Cup, but lost out to Cork City in the final after extra time so in all fairness you could not begrudge them this domestic honour.
Lead
Bohs were first to attack. Bohs left back Mark Dwan whipped in a terrific free kick that beat everybody but flew inches wide of the far post. Crystal almost opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Shane Rochford floated in a free that Davin Phelan flicked goalwards, Josh Byrne pushed the ball away at the near post, Shane Rochford picked up the rebound but Byrne was quick off his line to save again.
Crystal failed to pay heed and when Dwan fizzed in another free kick from the left on 20 minutes Liam Coady was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net to give Bohs the lead.
They almost doubled their advantage after 30 minutes. Ryan Foley crossed to the near post, Crystal keeper Ian Daly let the ball through his fingers and it fell to Paul Whyte, but Craig Nugent was well placed to clear off the line.
Crystal drew level on 39 minutes with a well-taken goal. Andrew Power slipped a clever ball into the run off Ian Galgey and the striker made no mistake, shooting in off the near post.
The Crystal lads were still celebrating when Bohs regained the lead three minutes later. Brian Nolan played a ball forward which the Crystal defence seemed to have covered but Adam Forsey and goalkeeper Ian Daly got in a right tangle and Shane Nolan was left with a simple tap-in from six yards.
On 56 minutes Bohs were back on the attack. Gary O’Shea fired a cross in from the right and Mark Clifford was left unmarked at the far post but he just failed connect.
Double trouble
At this stage Bohs were hit by a double whammy, losing captain Brian Nolan and Adam Heyslop in the space of 10 minutes. On the hour mark Crystal’s Shane Rochford lifted in a corner that was flicked on by Agustine Adeymoyne. The ball beat the Bohs keeper but Mark Dwan was at the far post to clear.
It was all Crystal now. A cross found Darren White at the far post but he drilled his shot wide. But a leveller was on the cards and it came on 63 minutes. Liam Coady’s pass split the Bohs’ defence and Ian Galgey raced clear to draw Josh Byrne and slip the ball into the net.
The last chance of normal time fell to Crystal. Adeymoyne beat the Bohs offside trap, Josh Byrne came out to meet him but Adeymoyne pushed the ball too far and it dribbled out over the endline for a goal kick.
So the game went to extra time. Crystal had a chance in the first period but Rochford volleyed into the arms of Josh Byrne. Bohs had an opportunity in the second period but Mark Dwan was just over the top with a 20-yard free kick.
Bohemians had the last chance of the game. Ryan Foley picked up a lose clearance on the angle of the box, his shot lacked any real power but it still sent Ian Daly scrambling across his goal to save.
Bohs went first in the shoot-out and Ryan Foley and Josh Byrne scored. Then Byrne went back in goal to save twice from Roy Power and Shane Rochford. If Mark Dwan could score for Bohs then they were in the driving seat but Ian Daly made a fine save to keep Crystal’s hopes alive.
Things took a dramatic turn as Andrew Power scored for Crystal and Shane Nolan missed for Bohs. Paul Whyte scored for Bohs and Ian Galgey scored to send the tie into sudden death. Philip Behan scored for Bohs and Ian Galgey converted for Crystal; then James Connelly put Bohs into the lead and it was left to Davin Phelan but unfortunately he shot over the bar.
Bohemians: Josh Byrne, Dean Hayes, Mark Dwan, Adam Heyslop, Niall Clifford, Brian Nolan, Shane Nolan, Thomas Croke, Paul Whyte, Gary O’Shea, Ryan Foley. Subs: James Connolly for Brian Nolan (50), Philip Behan for Heslip (60), Graham Robinson for O’Shea (74).
Waterford Crystal :Ian Daly, Niall O’Sullivan, Ian Power, Craig Nugent, Adam Forsey, , Liam Cody, Darren White, Andrew Power, Shane Rochford, Davin Phelan, Ian Galgey. Subs: Austine Adeymoyne for Ian Power (57), Roy Power for White (70).
Referee: Adam Tszampell.
