A dominant Bohemians maintained their status at the summit of the eircom League Premier Division tonight after dispatching Derry City 3-2 at Dalymount tonight.
Bohs were made to wait until the 4tth minute to break the deadlock when Mark Rutherford sprung the offside trap and crossed for Bobby Ryan who made no mistake with the finish.
Alan Gough’s goal was breached again in the 53rd minute with top scorer Glen Crowe getting on the scoresheet and Stephen Caffrey put them three up soon after.
Gypsies’ manager Stephen Kenny will have been unhappy with the way his side finished the match, however, after two late consolations for the visitors put an entirely different complexion on the scoreline.
At O2 Park, Premier Division newcomers Drogheda United hosted St Patrick’s Athletic and it was the visitors who claimed all three points after a 1-2 win.
St Pat’s, playing their opening league match of the campaign, fell behind after just two minutes when Derek Delaney scrambled home from close range.
But Inchicore side drew level on 18 minutes through Darragh Maguire and a Philip Hughes goal 12 minutes from time gave them a winning start to the season.
Cork City, meanwhile, continued their fine start to the season with a win 3-2 over UCD at Turner’s Cross.
City youngster John O’Flynn opened the scoring and Billy Woods doubled the advantage before Robbie Martin, who had earlier missed a spotkick, grabbed one back for the Students.
O’Flynn then added a third for Cork but a Robbie Doyle strike guaranteed a nervous finish for the home fans.