Dundalk 3, Bohemians 0

Patrick Hoban helped himself to a hat-trick as Dundalk coasted to victory over 10-man Bohemians at Oriel Park last night. The former Mervue United man took his tally to 11 for the season in all competitions to move Stephen Kenny's side into third place in the table, just three points behind leaders St Patrick's Athletic.

For the visitors, this was a 10th game without a league win and Aaron Callaghan’s men are now just a single point ahead of basement side Shelbourne.

Dundalk controlled the game from the off and Dean Delany had to be at his best to deny Kurtis Byrne on two occasions early on, his second stop in the 24th minute a fabulous fingertip save.

However, the Bohs goalkeeper tainted his good work in the 27th minute as Dundalk took the lead. Dane Massey hung up a cross from the left and Hoban nipped in front of the advancing keeper to direct the ball into an empty net.

From then on it was one way traffic as Dundalk steamrolled their way to three points. Hoban grabbed his second of the night in the 56th minute. Byrne was the provider, hooking a pass in behind the Bohs defence and Hoban looped a fine header over the helpless Delany.

Dundalk smelt blood and Andy Boyle put a free header wide in the 62nd minute before the goal of the night arrived four minutes later.

Hoban picked the ball up on the right and spotted Delany off his line before lashing an outstanding drive past the stranded keeper who could only help the ball on its way into the net.

Bohs' night went from bad to worse with 12 minutes to go when Owen Heary saw red right in front of the home side's dug-out.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Sullivan (McDonnell 70), Boyle, Rossiter, Massey (Gartland 54); Towell, McCaffrey (Dillon 79), O'Donnell; Meenan, Hoban, Byrne.
BOHEMIANS: Delany; Heary, Byrne, Barker, Pender; Murray (Shannon 58), Mulcahy, Buckley, Moore; Scully (Corcoran 70), Murphy (Lyons 78).
Referee: N Doyle.