First-half substitute Jason Byrne scored twice as Premier Division leaders Bohemians advanced to the fourth round of the FAI Ford Cup against plucky Drogheda Town at Dalymount Park.
Bohs manager Pat Fenlon left Jason Byrne on the bench but otherwise selected a full-strength side, with leading scorer Killian Brennan opposing his younger brother Sean.
The Drogheda side, with former Bohs players Terry Eviston and Lee King in charge, not surprisingly played with Andrew Tinley as their single striker.
However, it was the non-league side who gave Bohs a few scares in the opening five minutes, forcing two corners before Paul Fitzpatrick fired high and wide for the visitors.
The Gypsies quickly asserted themselves though, and JP Kelly struck the bar with a powerful effort before taking a 14th-minute lead with a superbly constructed goal.
Kelly played one-twos with Neale Fenn and Glen Crowe before drilling an unstoppable shot past Town keeper Gabrielle Sabbatini.
The scorer then had another goal chalked off as referee Derek Tomney pulled play back for a foul in Bohs’ favour and the hosts were subsequently frustrated by a series of fine saves from Sabbatini.
Town struggled to gain possession in opposition territory, and their defence was finally breached for the second time on 39 minutes. Brennan swept a diagonal pass into the path of Byrne – a substitute for the injured Liam Burns - who beat Sabbatini with a fine strike.
The Town keeper bravely dived at the feet of Byrne to deny Bohs a quick third goal straight after the restart, and moments later Crowe grazed the crossbar for the Premier Division side.
However, Paul Matondo almost halved the deficit when his 20-yard free kick was deflected wide of Bohs keeper Brian Murphy’s right-hand post.
Byrne twice went close for the home side in the closing stages and had another shot brilliantly saved by Man of the Match Sabbatini, but still the third goal wouldn’t come.
Finally, Byrne put the result beyond all doubt when he chipped the advancing Sabbatini three minutes from time.
BOHEMIANS – Murphy, O Heary, McGuinness, Burns, Rossiter, O’Donnell, Kelly, Cronin, Brennan, Fenn, Crowe. Subs: Byrne for Burns (34min), Mansaram for Fenn (68min), Singh for Brennan (81min).
DROGHEDA TOWN – Sabbatini, M Fitzpatrick, Connor, Downey, Farrell, Brennan, P Fitzpatrick, Kerins, Murtagh, Matondo, Tinley. Subs: Harding for Murtagh (79min), Gartland for Kerins (89min), Craig for Connor (89min).
Referee – Derek Tomney (Dublin).
