Devine: 'Shelbourne can celebrate all they want tonight but we’re bringing that Cup back here'

League of Ireland Premier Division

Bohemians 4 (Danny Grant 12, Jonathan Afolabi 45+2, 58 Sam Bailey (OG) 51)

Cork City 0

Twin targets of European qualification and the Golden Boot were missed for Bohemians as Jonathan Afolabi’s brace against Cork City could only share the top scorer’s accolade.

This win over a makeshift Cork City side with Friday’s playoff as their priority had Bohs in the European spot on the hour but Shelbourne’s comeback used up one of their lives.

When Shels were losing in Drogheda and Dundalk couldn’t find a lead goal against relegated UCD, ripples of excitement broke out among the 4,083 at Dalymount but developments eventually sucked the life out of that prospect..

For the Gypsies to regain a Europa Conference League spot next season, only victory in the FAI Cup final on November 12 against St Patrick’s Athletic will suffice.

They started the night sixth and finished sixth. “We’re sorry about that,” Declan Devine told the crowd afterwards before issuing a rallying call about usurping their Dublin rivals for the last European berth.

“Shelbourne can celebrate all they want tonight but we’re bringing that Cup back here.” 

At least Afolabi springs into the Blue Riband on a personal high of his 15-goal haul.

This result was never in doubt once the teamsheets were in.

Contrasting the line-up, it was far more likely that the former Ireland U21 striker – rather than Ruairi Keating he was deadlocked with – would swell his tally.

He grabbed a goal either side of the break but the recovery of Shels spelt bad news on the double as Jack Moylan’s brace brought him level with the marksman.

It’s the first time since 2014 that the prestigious honour will be split across two players.

City’s interim