Bohemians moved four points clear of Shamrock Rovers at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division thanks to this convincing 3-2 win over Dundalk at Dalymount Park.
Paul Keegan rifled in from close range on 13 minutes before Ger Rowe replied for Dundalk on 37 when he pounced on a poor Matt Gregg kick out.
Jason Byrne cracked a super drive past Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie on 41 and then again on 51 minutes to put Bohs in control.
Michael McGowan’s deflected free for Dundalk on 85 minutes gave them hope but Michael Collins was sent off on 89 and Bohs held on.
The sides had met five times previously this season. Bohs won the three league games, while their FAI Cup tie ended in a draw, as did the replay, with Bohs winning on penalties.
The Dubliners' dominance over the Co Louth side continued and they took the lead on 13 minutes when Paddy Madden knocked down Killian Brennan’s corner and Keegan rifled in from close range at Cherrie’s right hand post.
Dundalk, looking for their first goal against Bohs in seven years, had limited opportunity to push forward, although the chances they did have failed to trouble Gregg.
But the elusive Dundalk goal arrived out of the blue on 37 minutes when Gregg’s weak kick-out was pounced on by Rowe who, probably not believing his luck, took advantage and lobbed the ball into the back of the net.
Bohs fought back immediately and were back in front on 41 minutes. A superb attacking movement from the right involving Conor Powell and Madden saw Byrne take possession in the centre in front of goal and the Tallaght-man slammed an absolutely fantastic drive past Cherrie.
Byrne’s second came on 51 minutes when he gratefully accepted a knock on from the right of the box and shot low past Cherrie at the School end goal.
Gregg made up somewhat for his first half mistake when he saved well from Collins and snatched the ball before Alex Williams could take advantage of the rebound.
Madden went close to making it four for Bohs on 63 minutes when he shook off his marker, turned and shot but his strike went wide right.
McGowan’s free on 85 minutes may have taken the faintest of touches off a head as it sailed into the net, but any chance of a dramatic comeback were dashed when Collins was shown a second yellow and then a red on 89.
Bohemians: 1 Matt Gregg; 2 Mark Rossitter (14 Owen Heary 35 mins), 5 Brian Shelley, 6 Ken Oman, 3 Conor Powell; 7 Paul Keegan, 8 Joseph Ndo, 11 Killian Brennan (12 Anto Murphy 77 mins), 4 Glenn Cronin; 10 Jason Byrne (15 Glen Crowe mins), 9 Paddy Madden.
Substitutes not used: 16 Neale Fenn, 17 Marc Hughes.
Booked: Byrne.
Dundalk: 20 Peter Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, 3 Nathan Murphy (19 Simon Kelly 77 mins), 6 Thomas Heary; 15 Michael Coburn; 8 Chris Turner, 11 Michael McGowan, 18 Ger Rowe, 4 Michael Collins; 10 Alex Williams, 7 Tiernan Mulvenna.
Substitutes not used: 1 Chris Bennion, 12 Michael McGinlay, Martin McGowan, 17 Mark Griffin.
Booked: Turner, Collins. Sent-off: Collins.
Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).
