Bohemians 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians extended their lead at the top of the eircom League Premier Division with a deserved win over old rivals Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park.

The derby is a key fixture for the fans of these teams and bragging rights rest firmly on the northside of the city after a rampant performance.

Rovers' chance of upsetting the odds were increased due to Bohs' depleted defence, right backs Owen and Thomas Heary played in the centre but it was the Gypsies who were ahead after just 16 minutes.

Gary Deegan shaped to play the ball wide but turned the other way and laid the ball into John Paul Kelly marauding off his wing. The winger drove at the Rovers defence and Stephen Rice and Sean O'Connor converged to sandwich him, conceding a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Up stepped Killian Brennan to display the instinct that earned him the nickname 'Killer', leaving Barry Murphy rooted to the spot with a sweet strike that flew into the top corner.

Bohs had the majority of possession, but their lack of height at the back did open up some opportunities for the away team.

Darragh Maguire in particular was profiting, and his glanced header from Seán O'Connor's corner had Brian Murphy beaten as it flew inches past the post on 24 minutes.

O'Connor was again the supplier on 37 minutes, finding Maguire with a long free-kick from the halfway line. The centre half cushioned his header into Tadgh Purcell's path but it was just too far from his toe and Murphy was happy to collect.

From Murphy's clearance Neale Fenn held the ball up and laid it on to left back Mark Rossiter who sent a scorching drive with the outside of his right boot that flew past the despairing Rovers keeper into the corner.

Rovers had their best chance yet almost straight from the restart, Sean O'Connor playing in Purcell but Murphy was off his line smartly to save.

With Bohs having only conceded seven goals in18 games thus far, it was always going to be a tall order for the Hoops, but sub Eoin Doyle made no mistake from Simon Madden's perfect cross on 63.

Owen Heary's heroic challenge denied Padraig Amond with five minutes remaining as the Gypsies clung on to take the spoils, Rovers being reduced to ten men with Seán O'Connor's 89th minute dismissal.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy; Anthony Murphy, Owen Heary, Thomas Heary, Mark Rossiter (Conor Powell 60); John Paul Kelly (Jason Byrne 81), Gary Deegan, Stephen O'Donnell, Killian Brennan (Mindaugas Kalonas 45); Neale Fenn, Glen Crowe.

Subs not used: Chris Konopka, Sean Byrne.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Ger O'Brien, Darragh Maguire, Pat Flynn; Sean O'Connor, Danny O'Connor (Eoin Doyle 45), Stephen Rice, Eric McGill; Tadgh Purcell, Mark Leech (Padraig Amond 45).

Subs not used: Corey Treacy, Darren Stapleton, Karl Coleman.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).