Bohs lose shootout as St Pat's win FAI Cup final
There was heartbreak for Dawson Devoy as Bohemians lost 3-4 on penalties to St Patrick's Athletic in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium today.
The Ashbourne man played his part in helping Bohs get to the final and he was involved throughout today's game that went to a shootout before the Saints won.
Devoy took the first penalty in the shootout and calmly slotted home but St Pat's players proved more accurate from the spot-kicks.
The game finished scoreless in normal time but Chris Forrester gave St Pat's the lead when he scored after a mazy run just before the interval in extra-time.
Rory Feely equalised for Bohemians with a powerful header and the sides finished level 1-1 at the end of extra-time. It was on to penalties with St Pat's proving more accurate.
It was only the fourth time the Inchicore club have won the competition.
It was a desperately disappointing way for Devoy to end a season when he made a big impact with the Dalymount Park club.
His consistency was recognised in the way he was named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for July.
Sixty years ago St Patrick's Athletic also won the FAI Cup defeating Drumcondra 2-1 in the final. The attendance that day at Dalymount Park was 22,000.
The St Pat's team included goalkeeper Dinny Lowry who subsequently moved to Kilmessan to live for a number of years.
Lowry went on to win one cap for the Republic of Ireland senior team when he came on as a substitute against Austria in 1962, replacing the injured Alan Kelly. The Irish team that day included some great stars of Irish soccer such as Charlie Hurley, Mick Meagan and Johnny Giles.
Today's FAI Cup final was played before a crowd of 37,126 one of the biggest attendances at an FAI Cup final ever.
Devoy manned the Bohs midfield and made a lung busting run at one stage that caused St Pat's problems.
Devoy really announced his presence on the League of Ireland scene this season with a number of impressive performances for Bohs both in the domestic league in the Europe Conference League. He sparkled, in particular in Bohemians' 3-0 victory over Stjarnan at the Aviva Stadium.
A former player with St Kevin's Boys he had a short spell with Watford before returning home to sign for Bohs.
His ability to pick out a defence-splitting pass is one of his big strengths as well as his stamina.
He also showed today the kind of temperment to deliver in a high-pressure environment when he slotted home the first penalty in today's shootout.
Unfortunately for him and his colleagues defeat was to be their fate in one of the cruellest ways possible.