Eoghan Stokes proved their match winner off the bench as Bohemians maintained their Gypsies’ curse over Shamrock Rovers this season.
Substitute Stokes struck a 68th minute winner at Tallaght Stadium to give Keith Long’s visitors a third win of the campaign over their arch-rivals.
It’s also a hat-trick of wins in Dublin 24 for Bohemians stretching back to last season and means Rovers have taken just one point from the four derbies this year.
Loud boos from the Rovers faithful greeted the final whistle as Stephen Bradley’s side slip four points behind Waterford in the battle for third place.
Rovers enjoyed a positive start with Joel Coustrain just not getting enough purchase on a back post header that floated wide after Dan Carr and Aaron Bolger worked the opening on the left inside three minutes.
And there followed another let off for Bohs soon after. Gypsies’ skipper Derek Pender was a little too easily turned by the bustling Carr on the left flank.
Thankfully for Bohemians, redemption came from their other full-back, Darragh Leahy.Aaron Greene was about to pull the trigger on the low cross but for a well-timed intervention by the 20-year-old as the danger was cleared.
Over their edgy start, Bohemians played their way into the game, having a decent shout for a penalty denied them on 17 minutes.
Right-winger Daniel Kelly spun past Sean Kavanagh from Pender’s pass and certainly appeared to be tripped inside the area by the backtracking Roberto Lopes.
Despite Bohemians’ appeals, referee Neil Doyle gave a goal kick.
The better side now, Bohemians brought the first save of the night from Hoops’ keeper Alan Mannus just past the half hour.
Kevin Devaney’s floated corner was met by Leahy at the far post with his downward header needing to be turned round a post by Mannus low down to his left.
Rovers responded with ex-Bohemians midfielder Dylan Watts coming alive to pick out the diagonal run of Greene whose shot on the turn was into the side netting.
But Bohemians were edging the midfield battle as they were also having some joy down their left flank.
And the lively Leahy got in behind on 34 minutes to cross for Keith Ward whose shot was blocked by a frantic Hoops rearguard.
Rovers gradually got on top in a slow burner of a second half, creating their first real chance of the game on 61 minutes.A flowing move got Coustrain away on the right to cross.
The delivery bounced up invitingly for Carr whose volley was inches wide of Shane Supple’s left-hand post.
But just when Rovers looked like they’d got a grip of the game, Bohemians struck on the counterattack to score on 68 minutes.
Buckley put Ward through on goal. And though Lopes won the ball off the Bohemians midfielder, it broke for Stokes who skilfully found the net from a very tight angle.
Rovers pressed for the remainder of the game but struggled to make a breakthrough.
Substitute Brandon Kavanagh looked in on goal on 89 minutes, but Leahy made a sublime challenge to come away with the ball.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Ethan Boyle, Roberto Lopes, Joey O’Brien, Sean Kavanagh; Aaron Bolger (Greg Bolger 54), Dylan Watts; Aaron Greene (Brandon Kavanagh 75), Ronan Finn, Joel Coustrain (Brandon Miele 75); Dan Carr.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Dan Casey, Ian Morris, Darragh Leahy; Daniel Kelly (Dan Byrne, 88), Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney, Kevin Devaney (Eoghan Stokes 64); Keith Ward (Danny Grant 78); Dinny Corcoran.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 4,150
