St Patrick's Athletic stole the three points at Dalymount Park last night and in the process seriously dented the chances of Bohemians retaining their crown.
Despite having to play on the back foot for long periods, the visitors went home happy thanks to goals either side of the half-time interval.Already leading through Colm Foley's first half goal, Pat Dolan's side made sure with three minutes remaining when substitute Ger McCarthy lobbed outrushing goalkeeper Wayne Russell, who replaced the injured Michael Dempsey, from 25 yards.
Bohemians' manager, Pete Mahon, gave a debut to former St Patrick's star Colin Hawkins following his signing from Doncaster Rovers. And it could have been a good start but for the acrobatics of the St Patrick's goalkeeper who kept the sides level after 10 minutes as he saved well from Trevor Molloy.
St Patrick's Athletic took the lead after 32 minutes when Russell's free kick from the halfway line caught Bohemians cold, allowing Foley to head home with Dempsey injuring himself. McCarthy's 87th minute goal simply rubbed salt into Bohemians' wounds.
BOHEMIANS: Michael Dempsey, Shevlin, O'Connor, Hunt, Hawkins, Caffrey, Morrison, Harkin, Molloy, Folan, Mark Dempsey. Subs: W Russell for Michael Dempsey (33 mins), O'Neill for Morrison (63 mins), Field for Shevlin (86 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S Kelly, Burke, Croly, Marney, Maguire, Foley, Osam, M Russell, Livingstone, L Kelly, K Doyle. Subs: McCarthy for K Doyle (63 mins), Griffin for L Kelly and Harris for M Russell (89 mins).
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford)
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