Bohs easily past Monaghan United
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 23:26Bohemians exploited the inexperience of their First Division opponents Monaghan United to run out comfortable 2-0 winners of this entertaining eircom League Cup second round clash at Century Homes Park.
A United side with a string of young fringe players performed with spirit but goals from Aidan O'Keeffe and Paul Dunphy exposed flaws in their defending.
It was midway through the first half before Bohemians mustered their first shot, player-manager Gareth Farrelly testing Tadgh Murphy with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Monaghan should have taken the lead when Stephen Finnegan's exquisite pass cut open the Bohs defence in the 28th minute.
Robbie Smith rounded goalkeeper Matt Gregg but his shot from an acute angle was cleared off the line by Aidan Collins.
Monaghan betrayed their inexperience in the 32nd minute to allow Bohs go in front. Gareth Farrelly caught the home defence completely cold with a quickly taken free-kick and Aidan O'Keeffe coasted in on goal to sweep the ball beyond the diving Murphy.
United experienced agony in the 58th minute when Michael McCann struck the crossbar after a great run down the right by Robbie Smith had stretched the Bohs defence. Substitute Paul Smyth then stung
Gregg's palms with a blistering drive from 20 yards.
Paul Dunphy was on the field all of two minutes as a replacement for Vinny Arkins when he headed Bohs' 2nd in the 70th minute.
Dunphy glanced home from Mark Duggan's cross after another Farrelly free-kick highlighted frailties in United's marking.
Gregg deprived United of any consolation, denying Robbie Smith and substitute Paul Smyth with impressive saves late in the game.
Monaghan United: T Murphy, J Murphy, Sargent, Cronin, Keyes, Gannon, Whelan, Finnegan, McNevin, Smith, McCann.
Bohemians: Gregg, Heary, Ferguson, Collins, Power, Harkin, O'Brien, Farrelly, Duggan, Arkins, O'Keeffe.
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).
