Shelbourne 0 Bohemians 2

Tonight Shelbourne started preparing for their season in the first division of the League of Ireland with a pre season friendly with reigning premier champions Bohemians at Tolka Park.

Bohemians started the game reminding everyone who the champions are and almost had the lead after four minutes. A corner from Paul Keegan found the head of Paddy Madden and should have gone in the net, Shels keeper Damien Deleney almost threw the ball into the back of the net but just about kept it out.

There is a reason they call it a friendly but Bohemians new signing Rafeal Cretaro didn’t take that too seriously when he put in a desperate tackle on Paul Shiels but referee Neil Doyle saw it the opposite way and awarded the free to Boh’s, but nothing was made of that set piece.

25 Minutes in Bohs had a wonderful chance, it looked like Glen Cronin would easily slot the ball past Dean Delaney, but he made a remarkable save and Marc Hughes was able to keep it in play before it went out for the corner. The half ended with some very boring football from both sides 0-0

The second half started with more Shelbourne territory and almost took the lead straight away Ian Ryan struck the ball brilliantly and just about saved by Chris O Connor in the Bohemians goal, went out for a corner but Bohemians pressure forced a free out. The patience that Fenlon’s men had in the first half paid off in the 53rd minute, from 30 yards Paddy Madden scored a wonderful goal to put the champions ahead after some horrible defending form Shels.

One Goal soon turned to two on 66 minutes Jason McGuinness had a great shot from just outside the box and into the back of the net, desperate goal keeping from Damien Delaney. From there on Shelbourne just fell apart in all areas barely able to keep the ball for a couple of seconds and Boh’s knew they had the win and they just had to keep the ball away from the home side.

Final Score: Shelbourne 0-2 Bohemians

SHELBOURNE: D.Delaney, S Quigley, S Byrne, I Ryan, G Whelan, P Shiels, D Mc Gill, D Cassidy, D Corcoran, M Hughes, E, Foley; SUBS: R Clarke, P Gorman, C O’Brien, R Scully, A Mc Garry, A Haran, K Doherty, S Williams

BOHEMIANS: C O Connor, O Heary, M Rossitor, P Keegan, B Shelly, S Grey, M Quigley,G Cronin, P Madden, R Cretaro, K Brennan; SUBS B Murphy, C Powel, A Murphy, R Mc Evoy, J Byrne, J Mc Guinness, K Oman

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.