Bohemians did little to suggest that they will seriously challenge for the League title after an appalling display at Dalymount Park last night. Turlough O'Connor's side had emerged from their three previous games, against St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne and Cork City, with a creditable five points. Yet they were unable to see off a UCD side which is currently languishing near the foot of the Premier Division table.
It wasn't until just before the half time break that the home side managed to create a chance. Shaun Maher met Eoin Mullen's corner with a powerful header which was kept out by a combination of goalkeeper Seamus Kelly and John Martin.
Kelly's opposite number, Michael Dempsey, had already been called upon to deny Robert McAuley, Robert Griffin and Martin. Dempsey pushed McAuley's well-struck free kick around his posts and then used his legs to keep out Griffin's shot. The rebound fell to Martin but the Bohemian's custodian was sufficiently alert to smother the effort.
Michael O'Donnell spurned what was, perhaps, the best opportunity of the game when he directed his shot wide of the goal from McAuley's cross.
Unfortunately for the sparse crowd, there was no significant improvement in the quality of play after the interval. UCD goalkeeper Kelly proved more than capable of dealing with anything the home side threw at him. As a result of the back-to-back fixture system in the National League, the two sides will meet again next Sunday, this time in Belfield. Surely that can't be as bad . . . can it?
Bohemians: Dempsey; Broughan, Maher, Coll, Byrne; Mooney, O'Connor, Doolin, Mullen; Markey, P Hanrahan. Subs: J Hanrahan for Mullen (76 mins), Ryan for Markey (80 mins), O'Driscoll for P Hanrahan (86 mins).
UCD: Kelly; Bolger, Lynch, McDonnell, McAuley; Martin, O'Byrne, Kavanagh, O'Donnell, Sherlock, Griffin. Subs: McLaughlin for Bolger (77 mins), Bennis for Martin (83 mins), Kilmurray for McAuley (90 mins). Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
