It was a goal apiece at Dalymount Park as Bohs and Dundalk signed off for 2018 SSE Airtricity League combat as the icy weather closes in.
Bohs were much the better in the opening hour and led through Dinny Corcoran but champions Dundalk rallied and earned a draw thanks to a Dan Cleary header. They will feel they could and should have nicked the points.
No doubt about the main talking point pre-game, Stephen O'Donnell starting for Dundalk, his first outing in the league since the latest horror injury he endured in early May. He got a warm reception on a really chilly night.
Paddy Kirk, one of six Bohs changes and in at left-back, made a really impressive start and he was bundled over after a marauding run, with Keith Ward's free-kick bereft of the power to beat Gary Rogers.
The pace of Daniel Kelly is something Bohs will not want to lose, despite strong links with a move to Bolton, though he arguably should have gone down after a clear push at the edge of the box by Cleary.
Kelly had a fine chance 20 minutes in but he rather kicked into then ball and pulled it wide on the volley after an excellent Corcoran centre.
Corcoran showed his guile two minutes later when pouncing at close range. He fed Keith Buckley who paid back the favour, Bohs' top scorer simply unable to miss with Dundalk's defence at sea.
Ward was instrumental and, after Rogers made a fine low save, the Meathman reacted to block Kevin Devaney's rebound from close range.
A stunning Devaney pass then exposed Dundalk from a break off the visitors' corner. JJ Lunney cleverly headed down to Ward, who – one on one with Rogers – was probably amazed that his former team-mate read his low shot and blocked with his right leg.
Michael Duffy could have equalised on 36 minutes. Free at the back post, Shane Supple deflected over with his foot – as if to remind the locals why he was the PFAI keeper of the year.
The second half began with Bohs a little conservative but, on a break, Kelly caused consternation; a pity for the locals, though, that his left-footed effort was tepid.
Corcoran was then desperately unlucky not to double his tally, striking the post with Rogers beaten after a cunning disguised pass from Ward.
Dundalk were nowhere near their best but nearly equalised midway through the half, Duffy squaring for Connolly who rushed to get there but couldn't find the target.
Patrick McEleney, who was relatively quiet game, went on a trademark run with 14 minutes left but his shot was blocked out for a corner. That corner resulted in another, which saw Dan Cleary ghost in at the back post to equalise.
However, Dundalk had some reason to fret, as Hoban went down injured and was taken off. With the FAI Cup final coming up on Sunday week, his readiness will be monitored.
McEleney really should have scored, rather than blast wide in the final minute, but his intention will be solely to show his capabilities at the Aviva Stadium, having been nullified in previous finals by Cork City.
Bohemians: Supple, Pender (Cornwall 75), Casey, Morris, Kirk, Kelly (Byrne 90), Buckley, Lunney, Devaney, Ward (Stokes 84), Corcoran.
Dundalk: Rogers, Hoare, Cleary, Gartland, Massey, Mountney (Murray 72), O'Donnell (Ponynton 58), McGrath, McEleney, Connolly, Hoban (Kelly 80).
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).
