Dalymount Park, home of Bohemian FC based in Dublin, Ireland and play their trade in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Also the oldest club in the League of Ireland! History eh? Nicknamed the “Bohs” as it’s in the name ‘Bohemian’.
Country number 4 is about to be seen! It’s a third time in Dublin for me but not just for Temple Bar this time! I’m getting off the mark in the Irish Football League this time as Bohemian face Sligo Rovers! A free Friday night for me can only mean one thing this time of year! I’ll also be joined by Ben!
3:30am on Friday morning and it’s a very early start… We will be taking the Stena Line Ferry from Holyhead in Wales after taking that route last time going to Dublin which I found to be very convenient but not at this time in a morning… It’s time to fetch Ben and make the 3 hour trip across to the M56 and all the way down the A55 to Holyhead’s Asda Supermarket where I will be leaving my car.
6:30am and here we are in Holyhead and with time to kill, Holyhead Hotspur FC is just around the corner. A little gander at that ground later and it’s back to the Asda. Rather early for checking in but it’s always better to be safe than sorry! A quick MacDonald’s breakfast later and it’s off to the Stena Line we go!
8:50am and we are on the boat! Not the most busy of boats thankfully! 10 minutes later and we are on the move! 9:10am and this has to be the earliest Guinness I have ever had but when en route to Dublin who cares?! Can I split the first G…?
Oh yes!! I’m counting that one! 12pm and we are docking on Irish shores! Off to the terminal and onto the bus to take us into town. Hello again Dublin! We have time to kill before checking in and Temple Bar is only a stone throw away and we’ve also heard that our good friend Jon Ripley is here!
Temple Bar once again and here we are! Another Guinness and not the last one today for sure… One of the world’s greatest bars! Not sure on the prices though… Time for me and Ben to check in and drop our bags off at the Hostel and get ready for the game!
It’s pretty good in this Hostel bar! Games room as well and we can’t resist the table football! 2 games down and it’s 1-1 between me and Ben, 1 more game to settle it in the best of 9 balls… Ben is 4-0 up… I have to score all 5 now… It’s 4-3 come on…… YES! 4-4! It all comes down to this one… Oh no… OH YES!! WHAT A COMEBACK!! 5-4 from 4-0 down! Have that Ben!
Anyway let’s make a move to Dalymount. Here’s a Bohs pub, Clarkes Ales. Let’s go! One drink later and it’s up the road to the Bohemian. It looks more lively in here and it’s great to meet some fellow Irish football fans!
A couple of Guinness’ and a good few laughs with the Irish later, it’s time for us to head in to the ground! €15 to get in here! Amazing! Stood on the terrace behind the goal for tonight’s game and the ground is filling up nicely! The teams are ready! Out they come and off goes the flares! It’s time for the Irish Football League, can the Bohs keep up the pressure on the teams above them?
Kick Off! “Give me a B! B! O! O! H! H! S! S! What have you got? The Bohs! The Bohs!” So far so good from the Bohs fans! Bohemian are looking better in possession so far but no real clear cut chances so far.
17 minutes in and it’s a free kick for Bohemian from around 25 yards out to the right, Jordan Flores shoots… It’s a good save!
21 minutes now and Bohemian play a long ball down the middle looking for Kris Twardek, he gets a shot away… But the Sligo defender does enough to put him off and the shot is wide.
31 minutes played and Bohemian break down the left, it’s played into the middle for James Clarke who chests it down and shoots… AND FINISHES! Brilliant finish! We are off the mark! 1-0! “We are BOHS Bohs!”
Sligo have not really offered anything in this game so far and Bohemian are starting to take control, but at half time it remains 1-0.
Second half, 47th minute and Bohemian come forward, it comes for Akintunde in the box on the right, he makes space for the shot… It’s blocked and goes out for a corner, in it comes… Kacper Radkowski goes for it at the far post… It’s over the bar! Couldn’t get enough on it…
54th minute and Sligo come forward from the right, they get into the box and play it across… OH! It’s off the line! Out for a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Bohs.
58 minutes now and it’s a free kick on the right for Bohemian, it’s crossed in, Krystian Nowak with the header… It’s off the top of the bar! So close!
64 minutes now and Bohemian come forward, it’s flicked through to Alistair Coote who bares down on goal… He’s put too much on it and the keeper claims the loose ball.
67th minute and Bohemian come forward again, it’s worked out to the left and it’s played in, it’s headed down, it comes for Declan McDaid who gets it under control and shoots… And scores!! 2-0! Bohemian have daylight!
The atmosphere here continues to be Bohs dominant just like on the pitch! Nothing much coming from the Sligo end.
2 minutes later and Sligo play down the right, it’s crossed in, Max Mata with the header at the near post… It’s wide!
72 minutes on the clock and Bohemian get into the box on the right, it’s crossed in, Kris Twardek volleys at goal… Good save! Sligo clear for a corner, in it comes… Nowak with the header… It’s just wide!
Into stoppage time now and Bohemian come forward again, have they got another in them? Chris Lotefa is played in the box on the right, he shoots… The keeper gets a hand to it… Sligo clear. Full time here and Bohs take the points!
FT: Bohemian 2-0 Sligo Rovers
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 7/10 – Bohs fans pretty consistent throughout! I’m sure they have been louder at other games but very consistent nonetheless!
- The Ground: 8/10 – Very historical! It used to house 22,000 but only just over 4,000 here tonight! I’m not the biggest fan of derelict areas but it is very historical so I will let them off! Great ground!
- Expense: 9/10 – €15 I can’t complain with but I just wish there was a bit more action considering the other costs to get here…
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Really enjoyed it! Again, just wish the game was better! Love Dublin and loved the people we’ve met today!
33/40
> Also the oldest club in the League of Ireland!
Actually, that’d be Athlone Town AFC, founded 1887. Bohs were founded in 1890.
A fair assessment overall. Stay clear of Temple Bar in future, it’s a rip off. The stadium is being redeveloped and should be finished by 2026. A derby game is a must if you want a better atmosphere. Thanks for being there.
Thank you for that mate! So are Bohs staying at Dalymount Park for the foreseeable and redeveloping the stand behind the far goal? I’ll definitely have to return for the derby one day in that case! Every local tells me to stay away from Temple Bar haha, I have to say I do like Badbobs just up the road
Bohs will be at Dalymount until 2025. When the construction of the new stadium begins for real. Most likely to play at Tolka Park home of Shelbourne for a year or two.
Interesting stuff! Do you know where the site of the new ground will be?
New ground will be at Dalymount. 8000 capacity built on a North South axis.