Shamrock Rovers enjoyed a somewhat fortuitous victory over the champions at Richmond Park to extend their advantage at the top of the table to five points. Although outplayed for long periods of the match, they rode their good fortune, snatching victory through Tony Grant's 51st-minute strike.
Bohemians dominated for large stretches of the first half. They were sharper and quicker in midfield and in captain Kevin Hunt boasted a predator who instinctively snaffled loose ball. Rovers didn't help their cause by operating with a pronounced gap between the front two of Stephen and Tony Grant and their midfield quartet.
Denied of support and unable to hold the ball for any length of time up front, the Grants struggled to offer anything more substantial than the odd flick. It guaranteed that the Rovers defence faced a busy 45 minutes. That Tony O'Dowd's goal survived without a breach was occasionally down to some good fortune.
Glen Crowe was unlucky to see a fine header from a superb Brian Shelley cross thump the crossbar on its way over. The Bohemians striker forced a finger-tip save from O'Dowd on another occasion from another header, the Rovers goalkeeper deflected the ball over the crossbar. David Morrison missed another good opportunity from eight yards with a weak header after Shelley again outflanked the Rovers defence.
Rovers were considerably less ragged after the interval. Their midfield worked harder, playing closer to the front two, and the home side gave up possession less cheaply. Shane Robinson had offered one or two glimpses of his pace and trickery in the first half and it was through him that Rovers broke the deadlock.
He scampered clear of Dave Hill down the right and his cross was sumptuously deflected by Tony Grant with a reverse flick past goalkeeper Michael Dempsey. Thereafter the Rovers penalty area resembled the Alamo, the home side defending with several parts of their anatomy as Bohemians peppered balls into the vicinity of O'Dowd's goal.
Unfortunately for the visitors the finishing was several notches below the approach work. Bohs debutant Tony Folan, who had an excellent game, hit the angle of crossbar and post with a 25-yard free kick. Hunt then shot over after a beautiful lay-off from Crowe, the visitors frustration palpable.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Costello, Deans, Palmer, Byrne; Robinson, Tracey (capt), Colwell, Woods, S Grant, T Grant. Subs: Dunne for Woods (74 mins); Francis for T Grant (74 mins).
BOHEMIANS: Dempsey; Shelley, O'Connor, Shevlin, Hill; Morrison, Hunt (capt), Caffrey, Folan; Molloy, Crowe. Subs: John for Shelley 59 mins; Fitzpatrick for Molloy (73 mins); Harkin for Folan (87 mins).
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
