Bohemians 2 Limerick 1
Jason Byrne secured Bohemians a hard-fought three points over Limerick FC at Dalymount Park as the Gypsies move to third in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Derek Prendergast’s 11th-minute header gave Bohs the lead, though they failed to build on it with Dean Clarke equalising for Limerick in the 52nd minute.
37-year-old second-half substitute Byrne smashed home the winner five minutes before the end, having entered the fray just seven minutes earlier.
Bohs had taken the game immediately to the Shannonsiders on a cold Dublin evening, the rain having stopped less than an hour before kick-off.
Just 30 seconds were on the clock when Paddy Kavanagh’s right-wing cross deceived Limerick keeper Conor O’Donnell; Roberto Lopes’ resulting header was hooked just over the cross bar.
Less than three minutes later, Dean Kelly caused panic in the visitor’s box. Robbie Williams tidied up after Kelly was unable to connect with Lorcan Fitzgerald’s corner.
Bohs took the lead in the 11th minute, Prendergast powering a header past O’Donnell from an inch-perfect Kavanagh corner. It was Prendergast’s first goal for the gypsies.
Martin Russell’s team worked their way into the game, but, although Darragh Rainsford’s long-range free kick on 14 minutes was easy for Delaney, that was the best it got for Limerick.
The fast-starting hosts lost their initial tempo and composure as the greasy ball slipped away from them, allowing Limerick captain Shane Duggan to slow the game down.
Duggan was unable to unlock the Bohemian defence, with Lopes dropping in front of Mulachy and Prendergast, adding a physicality to the Bohs rear guard.
After the initial score, the hosts came closest to finding the net in what turned into a poor-quality opening period, Kealan Dillon straying just offside before heading Pender’s cross onto the bar.
The otherwise quiet Bohemians keeper Dean Delaney showed alertness to flick Ian Turner’s corner out from under the bar a minute into first half stoppage-time.
Limerick keeper O’Donnell was left counting his lucky stars less than two minutes after the restart, after his attempted clearance coming back off the post.
Kelly chased down Williams’ slow back-pass, O’Donnell’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Kelly before hitting the post and creeping across the Limerick goal line.
Russell’s side constantly looked to counter-attack and found themselves on level terms after 52 minutes.
Turner’s chip nearly catching out Dean Delaney, and Paudie O’Connor headed the resulting corner kick goal-bound. Lorcan Fitzgerald headed clear, only for Prendergast to make a mess of the loose ball, allowing Dean Clarke to poke home the loose ball.
Bohs looked to regain their lead immediately, Robbie Creevy flicking Fitzgerald’s corner past O’Donnell, only for Darragh Rainsford headed off the line.
Prendergast’s sliding block prevented Limerick from taking a 61st-minute lead, after Turner had caught Dean Clarke’s by-line pull-back perfectly in front of goal.
Limerick grew in confidence as they looked for their first victory of the season, even if Clarke was unable to direct Shane Tracy’s corner goal-ward.
The pace picked up in the final 10 minutes, as both sides looked for all three points.
First Kieran Hanlon was unable to fully connect with Turner’s cross, having tricked his way down the line.
Bohs immediately had two chances in quick succession: first, Adam Evans jinked inside, but had his shot blocked low by O’Donnell.
Substitute Marc Griffin then launched on to a through ball only to send his effort high over the Limerick bar and into the empty shed-end seats.
Cometh the hour cometh the man, and with five minutes remaining Adam Evan’s right-footed cross found Jason Byrne, who turned and smashed the winner home.
Bohemians: Dean Delaney, Derek Pender, Derek Prendergast, Dave Mulachy, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Paddy Kavanagh, Robbie Creevy (Keith Buckley 76), Roberto Lopes, Adam Evans, Kealan Dillon (Marc Griffin 57), Dean Kelly (Jason Byrne 78).
Subs not used: Karl Moore, James O’Brien, Stephen Best, Lee Stacey.
Limerick: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Harding (Jason Hughes 45), Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy, Ian Turner, Paul O’Connor, Shane Duggan, Darragh Rainsford, Dean Clarke, Vinny Faherty (Kieran Hanlon 79).
Subs not used: Aidan Price, Tony Whitehead, Val Feeney, Ross Mann, Tommy Holland.
