Copyright irishmirror
They'll have to settle, for now, for the title of champions-elect. One more point from their five remaining Premier Division games and Shamrock Rovers will officially win their fifth title in six seasons. Derry City’s draw in Drogheda keeps them in the picture. Just about. Four wins, five Rovers defeats and a 17-goal swing is what it will take to stop the trophy going back to Tallaght. So it’s little wonder that the home fans celebrated the final whistle as though their race was run. There are a couple of massive games to go between now and October 10, when Rovers host still-reigning champions Shelbourne, in their next league match. Next up is Sparta Prague in the Europa Conference League, before an FAI Cup semi-final against Kerry. This will be one long title celebration. Manager Stephen Bradley embraced his assistant Glen Cronin at the final whistle, which brought an end to Bohemians’ three-match winning streak against the Hoops this season, and then embarked on a triumphant lap of honour. It was a dream start for the hosts, an early lead and a wonder-strike to settle any nerves that might have been stirred by the occasion and the potential prize at stake. Graham Burke is a magician with the ball at his feet and opponents cannot afford to give him an inch, as he has the ability to turn it into a mile. And that’s how it panned out in the 12th minute, when Burke was allowed to run deep into Bohs territory, with Dawson Devoy trailing in his wake. As Jubril Okedina stepped forward in front of the Rovers forward, Burke simply shifted the ball left before the Gypsies defender could even think of making a challenge. And before you knew it, the ball was in the back of the net - a 20-yard strike that skimmed across the Tallaght Stadium turf, and smacked the inside of the right-hand post on its way over the line. Burke raced off to celebrate with his teammates in front of the home fans, before turning towards the away section with a broad grin and arms outstretched. That only added further fuel to the 100-degree atmosphere inside a packed Tallaght Stadium, where some of the challenges on the pitch were just as hot. Referee Paul Norton had to step in on a couple of occasions to try and cool things down, and there were yellow cards inside a minute to Devoy and Burke, and another just after the half-hour for Matt Healy. In the meantime, Rovers attempted to build on their strong early play and came close in the 22nd minute to doubling their advantage. Danny Grant made a great run down the right, and danced inside before switching the ball to Josh Honohan on the opposite flank. He stepped onto his right foot and drilled the ball low towards the near post, and threw his arms up in frustration as Kacper Chorazka got down well to make the save. Bohs defender Niall Morahan made two massive first-half interventions, including a deflection to send a goal-bound Burke half-volley just wide of the left-hand post. At the other end, Hoops goalkeeper Ed McGinty got behind a Ross Tierney shot that had plenty of movement on it, and he did even better in the 34th minute to stop a close-range effort that was followed up by a Clarke shot that curled just wide of the target. Clarke didn’t have to wait too long, however, for his big moment, and it was courtesy of a brilliant run down the left and cross from Dayle Rooney. He delivered the ball straight onto the head of the in-rushing Clarke who, five minutes before half-time, powered the ball high into the roof of the net, leaving McGinty with no chance. At this stage Rooney was causing all sorts of problems on the left wing, and another run, this time past Dan Cleary, gave him a sight of goal. Unfortunately for the Bohs ace, Roberto Lopes spotted the danger, advanced and blocked his effort. The visitors’ strong finish to the first-half was met with a blistering start by the hosts to the second, and they could have been back in front within 30 seconds of the restart but for a brilliant Chorazka save to keep out a thumping Rory Gaffney header. Rovers regained the lead in the 52nd minute - and if their first goalscorer Burke is someone you don’t want to allow to get up a head of steam, the same can be said for Honohan. Yet he was able to dribble the ball into the box and lay it off, with the outside of his right boot, to Mandroiu, and the former Bohs man, first time from the edge of the area, curled the ball high inside the left-hand post. There was a yellow card for Bohs forward Douglas James-Taylor for a dive inside the Rovers area, but none later on when Connor Parsons took a tumble that left referee Norton unconvinced. Replays suggested the substitute had a strong shout, as it looked like he was clipped by Cleary. Meanwhile, chances fell to Healy, Lopes and Burke, with the latter forcing a fine save out of Chorazka as Bohs defenders stood off him. McGinty then gifted Clarke a chance with a scuffed clearance. The Bohs midfielder’s attempted lob was clawed just wide by the scrambling keeper. Colm Whelan almost snatched an injury-time equaliser from a Rooney corner, but headed wide from close range, and McGinty then got down to deny Rooney in a nervy finale. Rovers are champions(-elect), and Tallaght is already in party mode. ROVERS: Ed McGinty 6; Dan Cleary 7, Roberto Lopes 8, Cory O’Sullivan 6; Danny Grant 7 (Adam Matthews 89), Dylan Watts 8 (Darragh Nugent 82), Matt Healy 7, Danny Mandroiu 7, Josh Honohan 7; Graham Burke 8 (Aaron McEneff 82), Rory Gaffney 6 (Michael Noonan 62, 6). BOHS: Kacper Chorazka 8; Niall Morahan 7, Jubril Okedina 6 (Rob Cornwall 70), Cian Byrne 7 (Colm Whelan 85), Jordan Flores 6; Dawson Devoy 6; Archie Meekison 6 (Connor Parsons 70), James Clarke 7, Ross Tierney 6 (Adam McDonnell 70), Dayle Rooney 7; Douglas James-Taylor 6. REFEREE: Paul Norton.
