A Day out in Dublin: Bohs vs Shamrock Rovers At the Aviva
While the dodgy lights at Tolka park meant the League of Ireland’s big kick-off suffered a bit of a set back on Friday night all eyes were firmly fixed on the Aviva stadium come Sunday afternoon for the biggest derby in Irish football on the biggest stage.
Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers both have aspirations to finish near the top of the table this year but rovers must juggle their UEFA Conference League games too and came into this one on the back of a massive win away to Molde thanks to sixteen year old Micheal Noonan’s goal in the second half.
Bohs were set on bringing their city rivals down a peg or two and had their home advantage to stage this game at the Aviva where a record LOI crowd was expected.
A day out in Dublin
The atmosphere built steadily around the ground in the hours leading up to kick off. Supporters mingled in the streets and packed out the pubs near Landsdowne road while vendors tried their best to sell scarves and hats in the chilly February air.
There were mentions of cup final day from people making their way to the stadium and it was easy to see why. A real sense of occasion was palpable as supporters were funnelled towards their entrances. Not many occasions in domestic Irish football feel the same as a day out at the Aviva.
Thorough security checks were carried out by security at every turnstiles, possibly trying to hunt down and confiscate any flares, leading to a slight delay in entering.
This came to a shock for those expecting to waltz up five minutes before kick-off as they do at Dalymount or Tallaght.
The stadium was still filling ten minutes before kick-off but the fans were already chanting at either end. Most Bohs supporters in the Landsdowne road end behind the goal and Rovers spread across the Havelock square stand opposite, and the lower reaches of the east.
The MC did his best to drum up some noise and it didn’t take long for Bohs fans to find their voice. The whole stadium was decked out in red and black with a Bohs crest adorning the centre circle before the game. This was very much a home derby for the gypsies.
Rovers supporters criticised their rivals with a banner pre-game that let them know they were still on the southside of the city.
With tension rising more seats filled, any doubts about this being a league record crowd quickly subsided.
Stephen Bradley handed Micheal Noonan his first league start, three days after making his debut for the club. The good news for Micheal is it won’t get bigger than this.
He played alongside the experienced Graham Burke in attack for the Hoops while Ed McGinty made his first league appearance between the posts.
For Bohs, most attention was on new striker Lyss Mousset, or ‘the Moose’ as he’s been christened. Both sides were quietly confident their attack would out-do the other’s.
Kick-Off
When the teams emerged from the tunnel it became apparent security hadn’t done a brilliant job finding all the flares. Red and black smoke rose and was blown by the cold wind to meet the green and white hue from the Havelock square end halfway, merging into a smoky mess.
Giving this game a real derby feel, the packed Bohs end displayed a tifo reading ‘the red and black army rolls in from the north’.
Many of both armies were still rolling in through the turnstiles as the match was roared into life, perhaps regretting that last pint.
On the pitch things were even enough through the opening stages, both set of players needing a bit of time to get into the swing of things, Bohemians after two months off and Rovers after a mid-week expedition to Norway.
Almost as if they were waiting for everyone to find their seats both sides upped the ante as we approached the 20 minute mark and there were half chances at either end.
In the 24th minute Burke drove into the area and Rovers could’ve been ahead if it wasn’t for a deflection off a Bohs defender.
They would come to run that missed opportunity as almost immediately Bohs were one up.
A quick exchange with Mousset set Connor Parsons on his way down the left, he skipped past Pico Lopez to find himself one on one with McGinty.
The Rovers keeper produced a fine save to push the ball on to the post but it bounced into the path of Ross Tierney who reacted quickest to side foot the ball into the back of the net past the Rovers bodies being thrown in his way.
After shrugging his shoulders in front of the Hoops’ fans he was mobbed by his teammates as the far end of the ground erupted with noise. More flares lit the afternoon gloom and arms flailed as the gypsies celebrated their first goal of the campaign in style. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was an Ireland international.
Second half
Shamrock Rovers were in need of a reaction and they tried to fashion one by releasing Burke and Noonan. The latter’s inexperience showed struggled to hold up play and was jostled off the ball by Bohemians defenders. the sixteen year old did well overall for such a young player making his debut. Rovers will need more depth in attack if they are to recover their League of Ireland title however.
As the game progressed Burke impressed with skill to get past players and progress moves but Rovers came up against a resolute Bohemians defensive block that carefully chose its moments to attack. There were chances for Alan Reynolds side to double their advantage but as we entered the closing minutes his team battened down the hatches as Shamrock Rovers slung bodies and balls forward in search of an equalizer.
Final minutes
The crowd was a confirmed League of Ireland record 33, 208 and every single one of them made noise in the final minutes to urge their teams on. The noise and atmosphere was enough to make a Rugby crowd jealous.
Shamrock Rovers fans vied their team towards a goal that they badly wanted but somehow just wouldn’t materialise. meanwhile Bohs supporters dragged their team towards a famous victory at the Aviva stadium. The relief and joy at full time was genuine and spilled out onto the roads nearby as fans made their way home.
Football on your doorstep
This day will go down as a favourite for Bohs fans and especially the many young supporters perhaps experiencing their first League of Ireland game or trip to Landsdowne Road.
There couldn’t have been a better advertisement for the LOI or its support. A great way to kick-start what looks to be Irish domestic football’s biggest season yet. maintaining interest as we go into the spring is key to the league’s continued success and attracting new supporters.
The good news for anyone thinking about following their local team is that this happens around the country every Friday night right on your doorstep, so go get involved.
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