Bohemians got their second Airtricity League Premier Division win on the trot with a 2-1 victory over UCD at the Belfield Bowl.
Ex-Students midfielder Keith Ward put the Gypsies ahead on nine minutes and Dinny Corcoran doubled the lead six minutes after the break.
Cillian Morrison and Chris Lyons both hit the woodwork for the Students before Graham Rusk pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, but Bohs held on to take the points in an entertaining encounter.
With both sides hoping to build on the back of positive results last week, it was UCD who came out of the traps with more intent. Chris Lyons brought a save out of Andy McNulty and Paul Corry saw his shot deflect just wide in the first five minutes.
But it was Aaron Callaghan’s men who took the lead against the run of play in the ninth minute. Luke Byrne carried for 50 yards and the ball eventually came to Keith Ward just outside the box. The ex-UCD midfielder spotted McGinley off his line and looped the ball over the goalkeeper’s head.
Lyons and Rusk also had chances to level shortly before Morrison flicked the ball past his marker and hit the base of McNulty’s post.
It was real end-to-end stuff as Karl Moore stung the palms of McGinley and Davy Byrne got in behind Hugh Douglas but was off target with his close-range shot.
The home side hit back and Morrison had an opportunity to play in strike partner Lyons, but was too slow to release and the Bohs defence got back to cover.
After the break, Dinny Corcoran only had to wait six minutes to double his side’s lead. Bohs’ top scorer was perhaps given too much space on the edge of the box but executed his chip to perfection and McGinley had no chance. Expect to see it on the Goal of the Month shortlist.
Lyons had a great opportunity to get Martin Russell’s charges back into the game on 77 minutes, but rattled the crossbar before O’Conor skied the rebound over the bar.
But there was more drama to come as Derek Pender tripped substitute Robbie Benson in the box and Rusk sent McNulty the wrong way from the spot.
The Students had six minutes to try and earn a point but the experience of Owen Heary and Evan McMillian came to the fore as the visitors saw out the final phases in the rain.
UCD: Mark McGinley, Mark Langtry, Hugh Douglas, David O’Connor, Ciaran Nangle, Pail Corry, Paul O’Conor, Daniel Ledwith, Graham Rusk, Chris Lyons, Cillian Morrison (Robbie Benson 61)
Subs not used: Niall Corbett, Barry McCabe, Samir Belhout, Dean Clarke, Gary Burke, James Kavanagh
Bohemians: Andy McNulty, Owen Heary, Dave Mulcahy, Evan McMillan, Derek Pender, Luke Byrne, Adam Martin, Keith Ward (Stephen Traynor 73), Karl Moore, Davy Byrne (Dan Mahon 66), Dinny Corcoran (Keith Buckley 82)
Subs not used: Craig Sexton, Andy Mulligan, Ryan McEvoy,.
Referee: Jim McKell
Attendance: 772
