Harnett strikes late as DLS snatch dramatic win
De La Salle striker Oluwatosin Ajayi celebrates his goal against Bohs in the Premier League at Ben Wadding Park.
Diego Hartnett struck a dramatic late winner as De La Salle came from behind to claim a vital three-point haul against Bohemians in a gripping encounter at Ben Wadding Park on Saturday night.
Bohs looked on course to secure victory after taking the lead early in the second half and holding firm through much of the contest. However, De La Salle produced a stunning late turnaround, scoring twice in the closing five minutes to snatch the win.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides struggling to establish any rhythm in attack. It took until the 12th minute for the first clear opportunity to arrive. Hartnett played a neat pass into Alex Phelan, who turned smartly to face goal but sent his effort over the crossbar.
Bohemians responded with a promising move of their own. Fortune Daniels did well down the right, reaching the byline before cutting the ball back to Ross Battye, whose effort drifted wide of the far post.
As the half developed, De La Salle began to edge into the contest. On 30 minutes, Michael Hearne delivered an inviting cross to the back post where Richard Laptie met it first time, but Brandon O’Callaghan made an excellent save low at his near post.
Bohs threatened again shortly afterwards when Bradley Keohan floated a free kick into the danger area. Luke Brown rose highest but saw his powerful header brilliantly cleared off the line by Hartnett to keep the sides level at the break.
De La Salle started the second half on the front foot and nearly made the breakthrough within three minutes. Sean Byrne cut the ball back into the path of Gavin Power, but his effort flew well over the bar.
Instead, it was Bohemians who struck first on 54 minutes. Battye showed good vision to clip a long ball over the De La Salle defence, allowing Josh O’Neill Nolan to race through and finish emphatically past Aaron Moore McMahon.
Buoyed by the goal, Bohs pushed for a second and almost found it moments later. From a corner, the ball dropped to Luke Brown at the far post, but Moore McMahon produced a superb reaction save to keep his side in contention.
De La Salle continued to probe but struggled to create clear openings. Byrne showed good intent on the hour when he drove forward and released a teammate down the right, but the final effort lacked the composure required.
The turning point arrived in the 84th minute when Bohs centre-back Conor Mullane, who had been outstanding throughout, was forced off through injury. His departure disrupted the home side’s defensive shape and handed De La Salle a crucial opportunity.
They took full advantage almost immediately. A well-delivered corner from Ivan Sinnott caused confusion inside the Bohs penalty area, and substitute Oluwatosin Ajayi reacted quickest, forcing the ball over the line to level the game on 85 minutes.
With momentum firmly on their side, De La Salle pushed for a winner and found it deep into stoppage time. Another corner was partially cleared, but Hartnett was first to react, unleashing a powerful left-footed strike through a crowded goalmouth that beat the unsighted O’Callaghan to seal a dramatic victory.
It was a remarkable finish from the visitors, who showed resilience and belief to overturn the deficit in the closing stages and leave Ben Wadding Park with a hard-earned win.
Brandon O’Callaghan; David Imiren, Lee O’Mahony, Luke Brown, Conor Mullane (Stephen Walsh ‘84); Amasi Oku, Bradley Keohan (Harry Kavanagh ‘70), Sam Hudson Ham, Ross Battye; Josh O’Neill Nolan, Fortune Daniels (Shane Dunphy ‘83).
Aaron Moore McMahon; Diego Hartnett, Gavin Power, Sean Byrne (Sean Lyons Mullan ‘83); Sam Ahearne (Jake Mulrooney ‘58), Alex Phelan, Ivan Sinnott, Shqiprim Gashi (Tynan Corrigan ‘87); Aaron Stenson, Michael Hearne (O Jay ‘58), Richard Laptie (Oluwatosin Ajayi ‘58).
Luke Brennan, assisted by Noel Purcell and Eamonn Russell.
