Bohemians took a massive step in their hunt for a European spot with a hard fought win at home to struggling Cork City. Derek Pender’s goal from a Tadhg Ryan handling error was enough for the Gypsie’s to take all three points, and with results else
Bohemians took a massive step in their hunt for a European spot with a hard fought win at home to struggling Cork City. Derek Pender’s goal from a Tadhg Ryan handling error was enough for the Gypsie’s to take all three points, and with results elsewhere going there way, both Derry City and St. Patricks Athletic losing at home, it was a big night all round for the Phibsboro outfit. Midfield general and fan favourite, Scott Allardice, put in an incredible shift in the centre of midfield but was honest in his reflection of the game and quick not to get too far ahead of himself in the hotly contested race for Europe. “Obviously it wasn’t pretty, it was a scrappy game at times but at this point in the season it’s not about playing well, it’s about getting points. You saw us against Waterford here, we played quite well but lost 2-1. So we’ll take tonight’s game over that one any day. We can’t have that attitude that were in Europe just yet or even have one foot there. Only when we are officially qualified and it’s done, then fine but we can’t think like that now. We have a massive game against Dundalk coming up so we focus on that, and go out to win it, like we do all games and try get us one step closer to it.” Dundee born Allardice is enjoying a good run in the side due to injuries and was partnered in the centre of midfield with young Bohs under-19’s star, Ross Tierney and both covered every blade of grass over the 90 plus minute battle. And the “Tartan Hammer” as he is nicknamed by the fans felt it was a key area in the game. “Yeah I’m enjoying it, It’s a good balance between me and Rossy, I’d be the more disciplined one, and he’d be running about full of energy as he does. It is actually quite a good balance when we get it right, I’ll tell him to go get in the box, get on the end of things and I’ll be there sweeping up, and worked well tonight I felt.” The mood in Dalymount Park was quite subdued prior to kick off, maybe still feeling the effects of last weeks bitter defeat to Shamrock Rovers, but the former Dundee United man said having the chase for Europe helped the squad get over the disappointment and with a big game against Champions Dundalk to come, there was no time to mope. “Obviously at the start of the week it was massively disappointing, we were gutted because we knew we could do so much better. But we knew we could still get Europe, so that helped us re-focus in a way, and re-focus quickly because there’s such big games coming up, and we knew we had to put all our energy into getting three points tonight, which thankfully we did. With Dundalk coming next, they’re the games you want to play in, it’s a massive game. We’ll back ourselves to win, but we know we’ll probably have to play 10 time better than we have been, but no fear going into it, still a lot to play for.”
