Bohemians 2 Shamrock Rovers 1:Just when it looked like Shamrock Rovers might sneak full points deep in enemy territory an old foe and a former team-mate stuck the knife in. Glen Crowe's equaliser with nine minutes remaining was hurtful but Jason McGuinness's winner two minutes from time was just cruel.
Rovers, having traipsed from pillar to post in the lower division last year, are back cutting it nicely in the top flight and their supporters were preparing to celebrate a famous victory on their return to Dalymount.
Bohemians, though, would have the last word. Despite playing second best throughout, they seized upon Rovers hesitancy late on to maximum effect.
The hosts harbour championship ambitions, but their season to date has been sluggish. Those affiliated with the club will hope McGuinness's looping header late has ignited their campaign.
Showing no fear, and with it no regard for their opponents, Rovers had set about their task most impressively. Slick and accurate passing from defence twinned with intelligent running and distribution upfield saw Bohemians backtracking for lengthy spells of the opening half.
Notwithstanding a lull midway through the half, which allowed Bohemians time to regroup, Rovers dictated both pace and direction.
That endeavour was rewarded handsomely on the half hour when Tadhg Purcell's looping header from Ger Rowe's innocuous cross deceived Brian Murphy by creeping in and under the bar. It proved just reward for the visitors who grafted hard.
Bohemians, with John Paul Kelly orchestrating from midfield, forced Rovers to defend deep. But their play was rooted in frustration. Simple tasks were poorly executed and the home support booed their players on the half-time whistle.
Dressed down, no doubt, by their manager, Seán Connor, Bohemians were more imposing in the second half. They ran at Rovers with the same menace they themselves had faced earlier, yet still found their opponents stubbornly difficult to break down. Until, that was, when Crowe latched onto Darren Mansaram's ball to fire an angled shot home and McGuinness's header flummoxed Murphy.
BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Rossiter,McGuinness, Pooley, Powell; Kingsberry, Kelly, Rice, Byrne; Crowe, Fenn. Subs: Harkin for Powell (half-time), Mansaram for Fenn (65). Booked: McGuinness (54)
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; O'Brien, Ferguson, Ryan, Clarke; Pender, Cassidy, Barrett, O'Connor; Rowe, Purcell. Subs: Duffy for Pender, Colbert for O'Connor (90). Booked: Ferguson (54), O'Brien (81).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)
