'How we started the second half was unacceptable' - Bohs left to rue Cup final errors

BOHEMIANS…1 (Jonathan Afolabi 9) 

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC…3 (Mark Doyle 23, Krystian Nowak (OG) 47, Thomas Lonergan 86) 

Before the biggest-ever crowd to watch an FAI Cup final, there were Saints and unfortunately for Bohemians, sinners.

Their inability to hold a lead was symptomatic of a season they sped to the top of the table in, only to falter and drift out to sixth by the finish.

European qualification was the objective set for Declan Devine in his first season at Dalymount, one they’ve failed to achieve, and he didn’t reach for the excuses route in explaining how the smoke that regularly engulfed the pitch mirrored their season.

Bohs were involved in the 1945 Blue Riband that set an attendance 41,238 which lasted as a record until yesterday’s turnout bettered it by 2,657 but it was the same deflating outcome in this modern version.

Devine bemoaned their inability to use Jonathan Afolabi’s ninth-minute breakthrough from the penalty spot as a springboard for success, furious his warnings about Mark Doyle’s propensity for connecting with crosses wasn’t heeded for the equaliser.

His ire only deepened when they were caught out by another Jake Mulraney inswinging free-kick for the own-goal Krystian Nowak that gave the Saints a 2-1 initiative two minutes after the restart, With the Gypsies throwing bodies forward looking to force extra-time, like 11 of the previous 16 deciders, substitute Thomas Lonergan profited to dart clear and add a third with three minutes left.

“To say we're hugely disappointed is an understatement,” said the Derryman, who had regaled the Dalymount crowd by suggesting from the microphone Shelbourne were merely borrowing their European spot for nine days.

“We prepared well all week, I