Come Here To Me!

There’s a great piece of graffiti in the toilets of The Academy venue on Abbey Street which reads Bohemian F.C will break your heart. Saint Patrick’s Athletic haven’t broken mine yet, but last night I had my heart in my mouth for periods of the game last night.

You know you’re in trouble when you can’t print tickets. Heading into Dalymount Park, there were no physical student tickets at all and the adult tickets were clearly marked ‘Friendly’ and for a clash with Everton, and not ourselves from across the Liffey. It’s a miserable night for football, such a miserable night that if they actually were playing Everton tonight I doubt Everton’s Irish faithful would even make the pilgrimage to see a glory-friendly. They’d be wise enough to stay home and not risk their health and sanity, unlike the League of Ireland faithful.

There’s not much to report from what was a rather dull clash in truth. On the pitch, the Bohemians defence showed their ability once again. We’ve put two goals past Bohs this season, but failed to beat them with nine-men and had two nil all draws as well.

While few believed a title win to be a possibility before last night, even fewer surely must believe it today. The real lesson from last night is that Bohemians are a far stronger team than many may have presumed they would be this season. I couldn’t help but look over at the Jodi stand and be reminded of the night I stood on the Connaught Stand watching Keith Fahey’s wondergoal across from a packed stand. While no club in this country (not least us!) can brag about attendances, it was sad to see such a small turnout for a Dublin derby. The diehards will of course remain, and it’s some sound when they begin to belt out ‘Gold’ across from us. Spandau Ballet are far less likely than Johnny Logan to pop up at half-time some week sadly.

There are some great snaps from the night over on the ‘A Man With His Camera’ facebook page from Billy Galligan which give you an idea of the weather conditions. A nil all draw in the pissing rain isn’t what any leaves home hoping for, but I don’t think I’m the only Saint Patrick’s Athletic fan who felt a little lucky at the final whistle to have that one point.

Photo credit to Billy Galligan/'A Man With His Camera'