Substitute James McManus was the hero for Bohemians as his low drive five minutes from time earned a much-needed win over Cork City at Dalymount Park.
Three losses in their last five games had given the home side little to cheer about in disappointing opening round of fixtures that left them with just nine points.
That rarely looked the likely outcome in Phibsborough as a dogged Cork City limited the home side to few chances before paying the price for sitting ever deeper in the closing stages.
But there were boos from some pockets of fans at the break as the sides went in scoreless as Alan Reynolds' side struggled to find tempo on a heavy, rain-soaked pitch.
A sombre atmosphere filled the stadium in advance as a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Bohemians legend Billy Young, who passed away on Thursday aged 87.
Young’s career at the club spanned 36 years as a player and manager, bringing two league titles, the FAI Cup and the league cup to Dalymount.
Nor did the conditions do much to stimulate the crowd as, despite the recent change to Irish summertime, the north inner-city, the wind and rain that swept the north inner-city did not abate.
City had won the corresponding fixture 2-1 at Turner’s Cross in February but the scorers that day, Seán Maguire and Ruairí Keating, were ruled out with long-term injuries.
There were early moments of promise for both sides as Ross Tierney saw a shot blocked by City captain Charlie Lyons, before Dawson Devoy blazed the loose ball over.
And a loose pass from John Mountney allowed Alex Nolan to get turned but his effort was straight at Bohs netminder Kacper Chorazka.
A speculative cross from Seán Murray from wide on the right had the keeper backpedalling once more and bounced on the top of the bar, though Chorazka appeared to have it covered.
The Pole was called into serious action for the first time when a long ball found Cathal O’Sullivan arriving late in the box, but Chorazka spread himself well to save one-on-one.
And Bohs could - and possibly should - have taken the lead in injury time as Leigh Kavanagh’s bullet header from close range was batted away by Tein Troost before it was hacked clear.
At the other end, French wing-back Milan Mbeng played a neat give and go before bursting into the box and forcing Chorazka to save smartly low at his near post as the sides went in level.
A raft of Bohs substitutions introduced a needed attacking threat in James Clarke, Rhys Brennan and Dayle Rooney but it was Tierney who had the first sight of goal as his shot from just inside the box was deflected past the post.
From Rooney’s resulting corner, centre-half Kavanagh got his head to the ball but could not keep his effort below the crossbar to call Troost into action.
City retreated into a deeper shape in the final minutes with Rio Shipston and veteran Greg Bolger shoring up the midfield and Bohemians struggled to break down the low blocks.
Bohs did have the ball in the net as Tierney eventually bundled a Rooney corner home, but referee Paul McLaughlin ruled a previous effort had been turned behind by Troost.
Barely a minute passed before the net bulged once more and this time there were no complaints as sub McManus drilled home an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.
Deadlock broken at Dalymount! 😮
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 18, 2025
James McManus with the crucial late goal for Bohs. pic.twitter.com/hAYlI2tRSx
City introduced academy graduate Harvey Skieters with two minutes of normal time in a vain attempt to wrest back a point but, bar a late chance for Mbeng, Bohs held out for a vital win.
Bohemian FC: Kacper Chorazka; John Mountney, Seán Grehan, Leigh Kavanagh, Jordan Flores (Liam Smith 46); Adam McDonnell (James McManus 59), Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney; Archie Meekison (Dayle Rooney 59), Connor Parsons (James Clarke 67), Colm Whelan (Rhys Brennan 67).
Cork City: Tein Troost; Charlie Lyons, Freddie Anderson , Darragh Crowley (Harvey Skieters 88); Milan Mbeng, Evan McLaughlin, Seán Murray (Greg Bolger 79), Cathal O’Sullivan, Benny Couto; Alex Nolan (Joshua Fitzpatrick 67), Kitt Nelson (Rio Shipston 79).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
