A late Dan Casey goal at the Markets Field secured a huge point for Bohemians against fellow strugglers Limerick in their quest to avoid the drop.
Just as Limerick looked set to pick up their second home win of the season, the defender struck after a scrap inside the Blues’ box just five minutes from time.
Limerick started the brighter of the teams and should have taken the lead inside the first ten minutes of the game.
A clever triangle between Fitzgerald, Kelly and Maguire played the latter through on goal. However, Shane Supple, fresh from his Ireland experience, got down well to save. The rebound fell to Daniel Kearns though – but he hooked over an empty net to everyone’s surprise.
Ian Morris was capitalising on an inexperienced counterpart down the left flank in Will Fitzgerald, and a clever chipped ball towards Dylan Watts almost opened the scoring. Morris played a clever one-two with Keith Ward before finding the exciting youngster inside the box, but he could only head straight at Clarke.
As Limerick grew into the game, Bohs struggled to keep pace. From here until half-time, it became as one-sided as any game you’ll see this season. As the Blues huffed and puffed, they were frustrated by a number of clever saves from Supple.
Morris’ left flank advantage would soon disintegrate into despair as Will Fitzgerald grew into the game. The tricky winger beat him inside time and time again before crafting the opener. His tempting cross found the reliable head of veteran Mark O’Sullivan, but he couldn’t get a clean contact on the ball. However, the second ball fell into the path of Barry Maguire, whose excellent technique allowed him to half volley past Shane Supple.
The next few minutes saw Limerick waste chance after chance – and the game could have been over by half-time. However, Bohs threatened just before the break when Clarke saved well from close range, but the Blues took the lead into the dressing room at the break.
Bohs grew into the game in the second half, but a combination of a poor final ball seemed to constantly hamper them. For all their clever play, it was somewhat of a goalmouth scramble that would produce a much-deserved equaliser just five minutes from time as Casey flashed his shot in off the post to take a share of the spoils for Keith Long’s men.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly (Shane Tracy, 63), Tony Whitehead, Eoin Wearen, Kilian Cantwell; Conor Clifford; Will Fitzgerald (Karl O’Sullivan, 75), Barry Maguire, Shane Duggan, Daniel Kearns (Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen, 80); Mark O’Sullivan.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Ian Morris; Dan Byrne (Patrick Kirk, 46), Philly Gannon (Kevin Devaney, 46); Paddy Kavanagh (Dinny Corcoran, 71), Dylan Watts, Keith Ward; Eoghan Stokes.
