Bohemians will meet St Patrick's Athletic in the FAI Cup final on 28 November after beating Waterford 1-0 in the semi-finals at a sold-out Dalymount Park.

A flick from Georgie Kelly in the 89th minute was the difference as the Gypsies overcame the Blues, who finished the game with nine men.

The result ends a run of heart-break for Bohs in the semis - they stumbled at this hurdle in 2018 to Cork City and in 2019 to Shamrock Rovers - and secures a first place in the decider since they won it in 2008.

The home fans were well aware of this history, as the team walked out to an impassioned and colourful Jodi Stand, and the team channelled this energy into their first half performance.

Kelly went close to scoring twice during this energetic start. His first chance of the night was undone by the spin of the ball, as the striker couldn't connect and it spun wide. Another opportunity to score saw the ball come to the striker, who was off-balance and the it went out for a goal-kick.

Waterford's response was a free kick, which saw the ball connect with four players before the Blues shot at goal. Niall O’Keeffe began the move by chipping it to Phoenix Patterson, who headed down to Eddie Nolan. He laid the ball off for Anthony Wordsworth, who spotted James Talbot off his line, but the midfielder was off target.

Bohemians had a few half-chances after this. The first was a free kick from Ali Coote, which sailed well over the intended target. The second saw Anto Breslin get free inside the box, but under pressure, he dribbled the ball out of play.

The pressure for Bohemians paid off in the form of a penalty, given after Brian Murphy collided with Georgie Kelly inside the area. The striker – who has scored 18 times in the league this season – fired the ball towards the bottom right of goal, and the goalkeeper dived low to save.

Half-time did nothing to deter Bohemians’ rhythm as they picked up where they left off after the break.

In the middle of this attacking storm, Kyle Ferguson brought down Liam Burt on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder – who was booked for a foul on Kelly in the first half – was sent off for a second yellow card and a free-kick was given.

This came to nothing but moments later Dawson Devoy got into a threatening position, and his shot was well saved by Murphy.

This was the first of a succession of chances for Bohemians, who were now dominating.

A lightning fast run down the right hand side ended up as one of their best chances in the game, as Ross Tierney fired a cross into the area which bobbed through the box and went wide.

Moments later, Kelly from a corner got on the end of a ball from Keith Buckley, and he flicked it inches from the target.

Keith Long’s side clearly sensed the history at stake in the last fifteen minutes of the game. Not only has the FAI Cup eluded the club since 2008, but their last major trophy was the 2010 Setanta Sports Cup.

The pressed and pushed and freshened their line-up, adding Conor Levingston and Promise Omochere to the game.

It was Omochere who made the real difference, as he curled a cross in towards Kelly with one minute remaining and the striker turned the ball into the back of the net.

Waterford were totally undone in injury time, as Niall O’Keeffe saw red, leaving the Blues with just nine players at the finish.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Rob Cornwall (Rory Feely 90), Ciaran Kelly, Anto Breslin, Andy Lyons, Dawson Devoy, Keith Buckley (Conor Levingston 82), Ross Tierney (Promise Omochere 70), Liam Burt, Ali Coote (Keith Ward 90), George Kelly.

Waterford FC: Brian Murphy; Darragh Power, Evan Ferguson, Shane Griffin (Greg Halford 54), Anthony Wordsworth, Junior Quitirna (Prince Mutswunguma 69) (Cameron Evans 82), John Martin, Niall O’Keefe, Jack Stafford, Phoenix Patterson, Eddie Nolan.

Referee: Rob Harvey