Bohemians overturn two goal deficit to draw with Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers played out a thriller at Dalymount Park.

It has finished 2-2 between Dublin rivals Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers after an exhilarating 90 minutes at Dalymount Park.

After an even first half, Shamrock Rovers burst into life in the second 45 as they took a 2-0 lead through Neil Farrugia and Markus Poom.

Poom’s long-range strike was the goal of the night but Bohs’ replied with two fine efforts of their own – first through Jonathan Afolabi and then substitute James Clarke.

The result sees Rovers remain in top spot, four points clear of Derry City. Bohemians meanwhile, sit in fourth, level on 35 points with Dundalk.

Bohs and Rovers play out a thriller.

The first half was intense with both sides playing with passion and purpose. Both teams enjoyed spells of possession but were ultimately unable to find a breakthrough.

The emotions of the two fierce rivals nearly boiled over on the stroke of half time as Hoops forward Graham Burke shoved Bohs’ man Grant Horton in reaction to a cynical foul.

The two sets of players engaged in a brief shemozzle, but any frustrations were quickly controlled and later channelled into aggressive attacking play in what was a stunning second half.

Neil Farrugia, who was recently involved in an Ireland training camp, showed his quality with an emphatic header in the 48th minute.

Then, still high off the first goal, Stephen Bradley’s side bagged their second thanks to a booming shot from Markus Poom who found himself with room outside the Bohs’ box.

Bohemians complete comeback against Shamrock Rovers

But the Bohemians reply was thrilling. A series of attacks led by Dylan Connolly and James Clarke carved opportunities for Man of the Match Joanathan Afolabi and the 22-year-old duly bagged Bohs’ first in the 67th minute with a banging finish from the edge of the Rovers box.

With momentum firmly on their side, the Gypsies continued to gallop forward in the following exchanges before finding their equaliser on 74 minutes.

A loose ball from Rovers midfielder Richie Towell was intercepted and a devastating counter-attack from the Bohs’ forward line resulted in young James Clarke slotting the equaliser.

Shamrock Rovers XI: Pohls; Finn, Cleary, Lopes, Grace, Farrugia; Poom, Watts; Burke, Gaffney, Byrne

Bohemians XI: Talbot; Horton, Radkowski, Nowak, Kirk; Buckley, McDonnell, Flores; Coote, Afolabi, Akintunde