Sport

Crowe has last laugh against his old club

After Derry's win at the Brandwell it was imperative that Shelbourne took full points from Tolka Park

Paul O'Hehir at Tolka Park
Sat Aug 20 2005 - 01:00

After Derry's win at the Brandwell it was imperative that Shelbourne took full points from Tolka Park. Goals from Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe ensured they didn't lose ground on the leading pair and despite conceding in the week that their push for honours had ended, manager Pat Fenlon can still entertain hopes, no matter how seemingly remote, of defending his title.

Both sides were keen to probe from the start but Shelbourne carved out the opening chance after four minutes. Former Bohemians players Crowe and Bobby Ryan traded neat passes and Ryan was set free on the right. He crossed for Crowe, who was unmarked, but his header from six yards cannoned back off Matt Gregg's post.

Fenlon included former Waterford player-manager Alan Reynolds from the start and he added steel in midfield. He broke up much of Bohemians' best work and from there Shelbourne formulated their attacks. Time and again he played Ryan into space and, on 14 minutes, the winger again crossed for Crowe but the striker headed over.

Bohemians, already depleted because of injury and suspension, were dealt a blow two minutes later when defender Des Byrne was red-carded for a crunching tackle on Shelbourne captain Owen Heary.

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Despite that setback, though, Bohemians saw more of the ball as the half progressed. But they lacked a killer touch in the final third, no more so when Tony Grant shot high over the bar after cleverly working his way into the box on 22 minutes.

Ryan was particularly impressive and when he found Heary who in turn fed Stuart Byrne, it needed a smart covering save from Gregg to deny the home side the breakthrough.

Shelbourne took the lead two minutes before the break. Ryan played a deft ball to Heary who was brought down by Gregg in the box. Jason Byrne sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

Bohemians emerged rejuvenated after the break and equalised five minutes in. After a neat move down the far flank, Mark Duggan crossed deep into the Shelbourne box and, amid shambolic defending, Grant nipped in to head past Dean Delaney.

But credit Shelbourne who, despite allowing their opponents back into the game, rallied well to retake the lead on 71 minutes. Ryan crossed for Crowe and this time the striker made no mistake, flicking home first time from eight yards. It was no more than the defending champions deserved.

With the pressure off them, Fenlon's men played eye-catching football for much of the remainder and still have a hand yet to play in the title destination.

SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Rogers, Crawley; Ryan, S Byrne, Reynolds, Hoolahan; J Byrne, Crowe. Subs: Moore for Reynolds (86 mins), Cahill for Hoolahan (89 mins), Fitzpatrick for Crowe (90 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Gregg; O'Reilly, Oman, Palmer, Byrne; Harkin, Hunt, Duggan, Ward; O'Keeffe, Grant. Sent off: Byrne (16). Subs: Powell for O'Keeffe (75 mins), Fitzgerald for Duggan (85).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).