Paul Keegan's 52nd minute strike was enough to give Drogheda United a 1-0 victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park on the opening night of the 2006 eircom League season.
His close range effort was just reward after a great performance from the FAI Cup holders.
The damage could have been worse but for a Man of the Match showing from new Bohemians 'keeper Stephen O'Brien.
Bohs gave league debuts to Stephen O'Brien, Barry Ferguson, Jason McGuinness and Vinny Arkins, while Drogs handed first league starts to Shane Barrett and ex-Bohs player James Keddy.
Arkins played up front with Tony Grant but both were played out of the game such was the great play of the Drogs defence, particularly from Jason Gavin.
In a fiercely contested game, Bohs captain Kevin Hunt was yellow carded on 11 minutes for pulling Glen Fitzpatrick to the ground.
On 21 minutes, Bohs were awarded a free kick when Graham Gartland hacked down JP Kelly but Gareth Farrelly wasted the chance and sent the ball straight into the wall.
Ferguson nearly opened his account on 31 minutes but had but fired his shot over the bar.
Keddy had a chance at the other end on 45 but O'Brien got down well to save.
Drogs then took a deserved lead on 52 minutes when Paul Keegan shot past O’Brien from just inside the box.
Shane Barrett nearly made it two on 66 but O'Brien rushed of the box to make the save after Barrett escaped his marker.
