Bohemians are the new eircom League of Ireland champions after a dramatic victory over outgoing champions Drogheda at a packed United Park.
Two goals from Jason Byrne, the second of those deep into stoppage time at the end, made absolutely sure of the crown as nearest rivals St Patrick’s slipped up at home to Cobh Ramblers.
For Drogheda, the manner of the defeat was hard to take, given the well documented financial problems which have emerged in recent days
The opening exchanges were understandably tense and scrappy, but it was Drogheda who settled eventually and carved out the first two chances.
Adam Hughes stooped to head a Paul Keegan free kick into the arms of keeper Brian Murphy, and then Eamon Zayed scorned a great opportunity in the 13th minute.
Ollie Cahill burst onto a Fahrudin Kuduzovic pass and made ground up the left flank before delivering a perfect cross into the six-yard box for Zayed who scooped the ball high over the crossbar.
Jason Byrne had a shot deflected wide by Joe Kendrick, but the Drogheda defence were otherwise untroubled until the 23rd minute when the Gypsies grabbed the lead against the run of play.
Graham Gartland’s pass to Cahill was intercepted by Owen Heary who immediately wrong-footed the Drogheda defence with a back-heel to Anto Murphy. The ball was quickly transferred to Byrne who spotted Jamie Ewings off his line and brilliantly chipped the keeper from 20 yards.
A relatively uneventful 15 minutes followed, but Drogheda showed a steely resolve and got back on level terms with a fine goal of their own on 37 minutes.
Cahill did well to keep the ball in play and picked out Joe Kendrick in the box, and the left-back’s attempted pass bounced kindly for Kuduzovic who blasted a 15-yard shot beyond Murphy.
Right on half time Bohs thought they had regained the lead, but the terrace-side assistant had flagged for an infringement before Heary bundled the ball past Ewings.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first, with much of the play condensed into the middle third of the field.
Neither keeper was tested until the 61st minute when Ewings comfortably clutched a skidding 35-yard free from Byrne, and then Byrne shot into the side netting after a superb cross-field pass by Murphy.
As news filtered through from Richmond Park of a second goal for Cobh Ramblers, the away supporters burst into voice, and their side almost conjured a winner in a remarkable 73rd-minute sequence.
Byrne’s initial shot was blocked by Kendrick, Gary Deegan’s follow-up was brilliantly parried by Ewings, Byrne fired against the post from the rebound and JP Kelly’s effort was deflected away to safety.
Drogheda rarely troubled the Bohs defence in the second half, but almost got their noses in front when Paul Keegan’s free kick was headed off the line by Mark Rossiter.
It seemed at that stage as if the Boynesiders might hold out for a draw, but then Adam Hughes was sent off for a second bookable offence, both fouls committed on Stephen O’Donnell.
Zayed had a shot deflected wide for Drogheda after being put through by substitute Declan O’Brien, but more than a minute into stoppage time Bohs delivered a sucker punch to send their supporters into ecstasy.
Glen Crowe exposed the tired Drogheda defence with a pass to Byrne, who beat the offside trap and dribbled round Ewings before shooting to the empty net.
Drogheda United: Ewings, Robinson, Tambouras, Gartland, Kendrick, Baker, Hughes, Keegan, Cahill, Zayed, Kuduzovic. Subs: O’Brien for Kuduzovic (62min), Ristila for Baker (88min).
Bohemians: Murphy, O Heary, McGuinness, Burns, Rossiter, Murphy, Deegan, O’Donnell, Brennan, Byrne, Crowe. Subs: Kelly for Murphy, Oman for McGuinness (60min), Kelly for Murphy (69min).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
