St Pat’s secured their first derby victory of the year last night with a 3-0 home win over Dublin rivals Bohemian F.C. Speaking prior to the game Bohs boss Keith Long said he intended for his side to ‘take the game to St. Pat’s’, but this was not the case as early goals from Mark Timlin and Christy Fagan ensured that St Pat’s were two goals to the good within 15 minutes.

Keith Long’s side came into the game into the game in the better form having defeated Sligo Rovers 1-0 in their first home game of the season, but a poor start from the Gypsies practically saw the game over within fifteen minutes.  Mark Timlin opened the scoring at Richmond Park after just five minutes, with Christy Fagan compounding the Northsiders misery within eight minutes of the first goal.

Things went from bad to worse in the second half for Bohs with their promising young striker Ismahil Akinade being sent off for a second bookable offence for a late challenge on St. Pat’s defender Shane McEleny. Akinade’s sending off will prove to be a headache for Keith Long as he will now miss Bohemian’s upcoming game against Wexford Youths on friday night.

St Pat’s capped off an impressive night by adding a late third goal through a Billy Dennehy header in the 90th minute. St Pat’s opening day defeat to Galway United did not go down well with fans of the Inchicore-based side, so this proved to be a very important victory. Not only does it give St Pat’s the bragging rights over their Dublin rivals, it also puts them three points ahead of Bohs and sixth in the league table.

Bohs, on the other hand, welcome Wexford Youths to Dalymount Park on Friday night in what is now already a must-win game if the Gypsies are to keep up with their Dublin rivals. Speaking prior to the St. Pat’s game, Bohs’ boss Keith Long said it was important to manage his squad well as there is an intense schedule this early in the campaign: ‘While we’ve no major concerns, games are coming thick and fast now. It is our third game already after a long off-season, so we don’t want to over extend players either.’

Although Bohs have no fresh injury concerns, they will be without Ismahil Akinade, who spearheaded the Gypsies attack at the end of last season following his mid-season switch from Bray Wanderers.

St Patrick’s Athletic will face another tough Dublin derby on friday night as they travel to Tallaght to face an in-form Shamrock Rovers side. Shamrock Rovers sit second in the league table, behind last year’s champions Dundalk on goal difference.

Despite losing to St Pat’s, Boh’s will fancy themselves against Wexford Youths. Wexford Youths are second last in the league and have 0 points from their opening three games. Keith Long believes his side are capable of scoring goals: ‘I’m confident there are goals in this side.’

Following their defeat to St Pat’s they will need to score plenty if they are to appease the Dalymount Park faithful.

St Pat’s secured their first derby victory of the year last night with a 3-0 home win over Dublin rivals Bohemian F.C. Speaking prior to the game Bohs boss Keith Long said he intended for his side to ‘take the game to St. Pat’s’, but this was not the case as early goals from Mark Timlin and Christy Fagan ensured that St Pat’s were two goals to the good within 15 minutes.

Keith Long’s side came into the game into the game in the better form having defeated Sligo Rovers 1-0 in their first home game of the season, but a poor start from the Gypsies practically saw the game over within fifteen minutes.  Mark Timlin opened the scoring at Richmond Park after just five minutes, with Christy Fagan compounding the Northsiders misery within eight minutes of the first goal.

Things went from bad to worse in the second half for Bohs with their promising young striker Ismahil Akinade being sent off for a second bookable offence for a late challenge on St. Pat’s defender Shane McEleny. Akinade’s sending off will prove to be a headache for Keith Long as he will now miss Bohemian’s upcoming game against Wexford Youths on friday night.

St Pat’s capped off an impressive night by adding a late third goal through a Billy Dennehy header in the 90th minute. St Pat’s opening day defeat to Galway United did not go down well with fans of the Inchicore-based side, so this proved to be a very important victory. Not only does it give St Pat’s the bragging rights over their Dublin rivals, it also puts them three points ahead of Bohs and sixth in the league table.

Bohs, on the other hand, welcome Wexford Youths to Dalymount Park on Friday night in what is now already a must-win game if the Gypsies are to keep up with their Dublin rivals. Speaking prior to the St. Pat’s game, Bohs’ boss Keith Long said it was important to manage his squad well as there is an intense schedule this early in the campaign: ‘While we’ve no major concerns, games are coming thick and fast now. It is our third game already after a long off-season, so we don’t want to over extend players either.’

Although Bohs have no fresh injury concerns, they will be without Ismahil Akinade, who spearheaded the Gypsies attack at the end of last season following his mid-season switch from Bray Wanderers.

St Patrick’s Athletic will face another tough Dublin derby on friday night as they travel to Tallaght to face an in-form Shamrock Rovers side. Shamrock Rovers sit second in the league table, behind last year’s champions Dundalk on goal difference.

Despite losing to St Pat’s, Boh’s will fancy themselves against Wexford Youths. Wexford Youths are second last in the league and have 0 points from their opening three games. Keith Long believes his side are capable of scoring goals: ‘I’m confident there are goals in this side.’

Following their defeat to St Pat’s they will need to score plenty if they are to appease the Dalymount Park faithful.

(Photo: Flikr)

BY CHARLIE REDMOND