Tierney strikes late as Bohemians seal comeback win

Bohemians FC staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a vital 2-1 victory over Ballkani in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie at Dalymount Park. Goals from Douglas James-Taylor and Ross Tierney in the final 15 minutes turned the tide in favor of the Irish side, who had trailed to a first-half penalty scored by Toni Domgjoni. The result gives Bohemians a crucial advantage heading into the return fixture, though they will have to travel to Albania for the second leg due to Dalymount Park not meeting UEFA standards for the next stage of competition. The match began cautiously, with both teams showing restraint in the early exchanges. It took until the 16th minute for Bohemians to create their first meaningful chance, as Colm Whelan headed over from close range while being challenged by two defenders. Moments later, Ballkani nearly went ahead when Domgjoni's corner found the back post, but Halili’s diving header narrowly missed the far post. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Bohemians conceded a penalty. Serebe broke down the left flank and cut inside the penalty area, only to be brought down by Pat Hickey. The referee pointed to the spot, and Domgjoni calmly converted the resulting penalty to put Ballkani ahead. The home side struggled to respond in the first half, with their slow build-up frustrating fans at Dalymount Park. A rare chance arrived in the 43rd minute when Markuss Strods’ cross nearly caught out goalkeeper Golubovic, whose reflexes kept the score level. Tierney was positioned at the back post but failed to find a teammate with the cross that followed. After halftime, Bohemians continued to face pressure from Ballkani, who maintained a disciplined shape and forced the hosts deeper into their own half. In the 65th minute, Bohemians were fortunate to avoid conceding a second goal when defender Sam Todd's misplaced touch allowed Serebe to attempt a lob, which was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Paul Walters. Substituted forward Harry Vaughan added some urgency down the left but failed to make a significant impact as Ballkani continued to dominate possession and create more chances. The momentum shifted dramatically in the final quarter of the match. A free kick taken by Dawson Devoy in the 73rd minute was spectacularly saved by Golubovic, sparking life into the Bohemians attack. Shortly afterward, another set piece led to the equalizer. Darragh Power’s quick thinking found James-Taylor in the box, whose first-time shot curled into the net off the post. The home crowd erupted in relief as the deficit was erased. With time running out, Bohemians delivered the decisive blow. In the final minute of normal time, Tierney struck a stunning volley from the edge of the area, a moment of brilliance that sealed the win for the home side. The goal was a fitting finish to a tense encounter, with Ballkani attempting to hold onto their lead but ultimately falling victim to the home side’s persistence and composure under pressure. Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds will be pleased with the result, despite the challenges posed by playing at Dalymount Park, which will not host the second leg due to infrastructure issues. The return fixture will take place in Albania, where Bohemians must maintain their form to progress further in the competition. For Ballkani, the loss comes after a hard-fought campaign to reach this stage, having previously defeated Connah's Quay Nomads in the previous round. Their inability to secure a convincing lead proved costly, as Bohemians showed resilience to turn the match around in the dying moments.