St Patrick’s Athletic 2
Bohemians 2
Dave Donnelly reports from Richmond Park
PROMISE OMOCHERE SCORED within three minutes of his introduction as Bohemians fought back from two goals down to take what could be a vital point in their quest for Europe.
Their fate looked bleak when Jay McClelland bundled home to double the Saints’ lead early in the second half but Ross Tierney’s opportunistic strike heralded a revival.
In-form Billy King had opened the scoring for the home side with his third goal in five games and they could easily have had two or three more during a frenetic opening period.
In the end, the Athletic were content to take a point from the game after Tierney very nearly added to his growing reputation with a thunderbolt off the bar late on.
After conceding late to surrender a lead at Derry City on Friday night, Bohs knew they could steal a march on the Candystripes and move into fourth place with a win.
Both sides made multiple changes following the short turnaround, with the league’s top scorer Georgie Kelly once again missing out for Bohs.
The Saints looked much the fresher side, Stephen O’Donnell having made six changes from the side that beat Longford Town, and they hit the front inside 12 minutes.
An overhit backpass from Andy Lyons put Gypsies keeper James Talbot in trouble, and he could only find King, who set himself before rifling a shot past the retreating stopper.
King was denied a second moments later as Talbot palmed his shot clear, before McClelland fired the rebound over.
Nehum Melvin-Lambert, making a rare start up front for Pats, latched onto Paddy Barrett’s through ball but, with just Talbot to beat, he stumbled at the vital moment.
McClelland went close again before half time as his goalbound shot was deflected wide by a relieved James Finnerty.
Pats did have their second within three minutes of the resumption as a well-worked move finished with McClelland bundling home Jak Hickman’s cross from close range.
Just when it looked like the home side would coast to victory, Barrett’s hospital pass played in Tierney and he slotted the ball calmly past Vitezslav Jaros.
Bohs seized the initiative as a large away crowd got behind their team, and they were level when Tyreke Wilson’s corner was nudged home at the back post by Omochere.
Tierney, Omochere and Liam Burt all shot straight at Jaros as Bohs pushed on, but it was Tierney who went closest as he rattled the bar from 25 yards.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros; Jak Hickman, Paddy Barrett (James Abankwah 74), Sam Bone, Shane Griffin (Ian Bermingham 80); Alfie Lewis, Chris Forrester, Jay McClelland (Robbie Benson 74); Billy King, Matty Smith, Nehum Melvin-Lambert (Darragh Burns 74).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Andy Lyons (Ciaran Kelly 62), Rory Feely, James Finnerty, Anto Breslin (Dawson Devoy 62); Conor Levingston, Tyreke Wilson, Ross Tierney; Ali Coote (Keith Ward 88), Liam Burt, Jamie Mullins (Promise Omochere 62).
Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin).
Pity to see him go. He was one of the best defenders to play the game
Ever !
That hook in the replay was pivotal.
And from a Tipp point of view – should a player of Callanan’s calibre and experience have allowed himself to be hooked? Remember how a young and inexperienced Shane O’Donnell batted the ball to the net in a similar situation in last years All Ireland.
Anyway JJ was quite simply a class defender – no arguments there!!
The sport has lost a lot of legends this summer. FairPlay JJ, an exceptional career from an exceptional player.
He’ll be the biggest loss of all the retirees. With the greatest of respect he was still first choice (and playing well) this summer while the other four were squad members and getting a few minutes off the bench here and there. Class player in fairness, he’ll leave a huge void on that defence. Phenomenal in the air and a fantastic reader of the game. Best wishes to him.
Jesus I was certain he would stay on and try get 10
One of the finest hurlers to ever grace the field
And toughest !
With all the 9 time winners retiring, Shefflin’s record may stand the test of time!
Some player. The most consistent hurler I’ve ever seen
Ah no. Please one more year. If he had been around in 1912 he would have blocked the hole in the titanic
One of the most complete defenders in the game, awesome talent, first on every team sheet. Thanks JJ for the fantastic memories. Gutted to see you go but every player must walk out to the sunset. Your Hook this year in the All Ireland is a fantastic final memory of a glittering career. You owe hurling nothing everything left on the pitch. Slan
Ah shite!
What a player, pity he didn’t go for his 10th all Ireland. Been a pleasure to watch over the years for both club and county.
Just a legend. Simple as that.
Have to say one of de greatest backs ever to Grace a hurling pitch, and that comes from a wexford man happy retirement jj
Best defender I ever saw and that’s from a Corkonian. Wing back was his best position. 2004 final, he was on one wing and Sean Og on the other. Both had blinders. Glad I was there to see it. No other player I ever saw can go from wing back to full back and be as good. I stayed quite on the other retirements but had to comment on this guy.
An awesome player Brian Cody called him the best defender he’s even seen !!! I think that says it all !!
Irreplaceable. Simple as that. As are tommy Walsh and Henry. Kilkenny will be strong next year but no one can fill these boots. And I’m a Tipp man.
Pity to see JJ retiring sad day!just hope jackie doesn’t follow suit now! Two rocks in the full back line for years!
Noel Hickey was replaced by JJ, Henery Shefflin filled the gap left by DJ… Don’t get too excited that KK will be a spent force… JJ was the best defender I ever seen play, plus a true gent
Great hurler great team, hopefully with alot of the old gaurd retiring they will be considerably weakened from a hopeful cork langer!!!
I say good. Great player but now that so many Kilkenny players are retiring maybe they will stop dominating every year and it will get more interesting.
Cian – sorry to tell you but, there are many more coming up this year – you may be (un)pleasantly surprised …
Haha. I know Dara. Unfortunately Kilkenny do have many more amazing players in their squad and coming through but I’d just love to see Limerick win one :)
Great hurler. Huge loss. Hard act to follow at fullback for Kilkenny.
Defending is an art form in itself. I doubt there has ever been a player who showcased it better. He was always on his mans shoulder, he had an intrinsic sense of where to hook or block, he knew how to shepard his man away from goal, he fouled inconspicuously, he fielded ball he had no right to, he was equally tough, brave and competitive. Not to mention his ability with the ball in hand. His hook on Callinan in the replay was a fitting final reminder to us all of his greatness.
There retiring before Cody gives them the cold shoulder!!!! As he would eventually !!
I suppose this means we can write them off now!
Haha, been written off before, but it’s a massive gap in defence to plug now.
Who was better, JJ or Tommy Walsh?
JJ.
JJ, only because he always keeps a cool head. Kilkenny wouldn’t have been so dominant without him in defence.