WLOI Report: Lady Luck shines on Rovers in Dublin 7

Christine Allen reports from Dalymount Park

You expect that extra bite to a Dublin Derby — and Saturday afternoon didn’t disappoint.

From the bowels of the Jodi Stand, a defiant roar urged on a Bohemians side that bristled with menace on the break.

Among the 742 in attendance, a smattering of Rovers supporters — including one young fan with Kelly #11 emblazoned across her back — fought to make themselves heard as they watched their side switch through the gears on hostile turf.

This was never going to be a fixture for the faint-hearted, and as if to ease all doubts, striker Katie McCarn set the tone early with a crunching challenge on Fiona Owens.

Ready to pounce on the transition, McCarn was however forced to bide her time as Rovers began to stamp their authority in Dublin 7.

Probing wide and controlling centrally, The Hoops interrogated Alban Hysa’s backline - Fiona Owens, captain Áine O’Gorman and Ruesha Littlejohn surging beyond the Mono Stand, but Lisa Murphy and Roisin McGovern hoofed clear on a loop.

In the heart of midfield the talent on both sides overflowed - Melissa O’Kane keeping Hannah Healy and Aoibhe Brennan on their toes.

Stealing the ball from Brennan to spark a quick give-and-go with Maria Reynolds, O’Kane sought out Joy Ralph but McGovern shielded it to safety before the Greenhills native could pull the trigger.

In the 14th, the Rovers’ number 8 spotted Littlejohn at the back post and lofted a delicate dink over McGovern — but the ball grazed the Glaswegian’s head and drifted wide.

A competitive duel developed between Reynolds and the lively, switched-on Hannah O’Brien, but the No. 6 remained composed as she extinguished the threat.

Still, Rovers couldn’t completely nullify Bohemians — particularly down the right.

One intelligent move saw O’Brien dink the ball to Fiona Donnelly, who swung it out wide to Alannah McEvoy. Stretching, the former Hoop poked the pass on to the charging Healy, but she was muscled out of contention by Scarlett Herron.

A second Bohs counter nearly broke the deadlock when Healy released McEvoy and the hosts took flight down the right once more - Owens’ front-post interception proving vital.

Rovers continued to dominate possession in spells but struggled to find the right weighting on their ball in the final third.

Opting to shoot from distance, the green and white shirts were met by a wall of resistance.

Collie O’Neill’s side then sought out a knock on the left - Tallaght native Ella Kelly scrapping Sarah Power.

Late in the half, Herron’s hooked clearance found O’Gorman, but Emma Gaughran — unfazed by the task of marking two senior internationals — muscled the veteran off the ball with calm authority.

Bohemians drew first blood in the 41st when Keelin Comiskey absorbed a deflected clearance square to the face — but quickly recovered.

The second half began with a renewed intensity and developed into a 50/50 battle on the wings.

For the visitors, Kelly came into her own on the left, darting and feinting beyond Power, while McEvoy began to exploit out right.

Skipping past Comiskey in the 53rd, she blasted a cross inside but it sailed harmlessly out of reach of the red and black shirts.

In the 58th Glennon won the aerial challenge and knocked it down for McEvoy. Her in swinging delivery flashed across the face of goal but was just a nose ahead of McCarn and Healy.

Substitute Emily Corbet replaced Kelly out left in the 63rd. Utilising her strength to hold off Power, the Laois native recycled play and accelerated into pockets of space.

Yet within a congested box, Ralph and O’Gorman were unable to let fly with a clean shot.

Then in the 75th, Rovers ate a slice of luck when Reynolds fizzed a low pass to Ralph, who laid it off to O’Gorman. Aware of Littlejohn just beyond her shoulder, Fiona Donnelly misfired the clearance – blasting the ball past her own keeper to put Rovers in front.

The final 15' saw the Dublin Derby ramp up with Sarah McKevitt and Savannah Kane's introductions adding to the home sides arsenal.

McKevitt wasted no time and slipped past Comiskey, swinging a high ball across goal — but Keane snatched it with confidence.

Scarlett Herron left everything on the turf as the game reached a crescendo, the Monaghan native making a number of crucial interceptions as the crosses kept on coming.

Rovers nearly added a second in the 78th when Littlejohn’s free-kick floated over Rachel Kelly and rattled the crossbar. Moments later, Corbet let fly — her stinging strike requiring both Mia Dodd and Brennan to cushion and deflect.

In the dying moments of the match, The Hoops’ luck held again when Power released Leiagh Glennon down the right. Her low strike was saved by Keane, and Kane’s thunderous follow-up cannoned off the woodwork.

In the melee, Ralph — in full stride — lost a shin guard as she carried the ball towards the corner flag, running down the clock.

But Rovers didn’t lose their lead and now move up one place into 4th in the SSE Women’s Premier Division.