1 - 0. Glen Crowe with the goal and about fooking time too.
Bohemians 1-0 Shamrock Rovers
Glen Crowe’s first goal in over two months put Bohemians into the League of Ireland Cup final - despite their having to play for almost 75 minutes with ten men in this rip-roaring Dublin derby.
Crowe struck to break the deadlock on 59 minutes when meeting John Paul Kelly’s corner with a powerful header to score his ninth goal of the season.
Bohemians, with four changes in their line-up from their defeat to Longford on Saturday, started the better against an unchanged Rovers, but were rocked back on their heels by the sending off of Mark Rossiter after just 16 minutes.
Midfielder Rossiter, who was also sent off in Longford for a straight red card having been on the pitch just eight minutes, was booked after nine minutes for following through on Rovers’ defender Barry Ferguson.
But his second yellow card from referee Damien Hancock seven minutes later was harsh as he clearly went for the ball only to accidentally catch David Cassidy who nicked it away from him at the last second.
Bohs’ left winger Kelly twice volleyed over when well positioned following corners, but it was Rovers who had the clearest opening of the first half on 40 minutes.
Andy Myler’s clever pass put Cassidy through on goal down the inside right channel, requiring a brave save at his feet from keeper Brian Murphy.
A delightful chip over the top from Kelly presented Glen Crowe with Bohs’ first real chance four minutes into the second half, but he miscued his shot wide with only Barry Murphy to beat.
Having fallen behind, Rovers pressed for much of the remainder of the match with Murphy saving well from Tadhg Purcell after a mistake from Des Byrne gifted him an opening.
Rovers’ keeper Barry Muprhy then charged forward in stoppage time to head narrowly over from Paul Shiels’ cross as Bohemians held on to meet either Derry City or UCD in next month’s final.