While the gulf in class was apparent, Bohs will be extremely disappointed with a listless first half performance that showed very little heart and determination. The goals came within just three minutes of each other, and knocked what little stuffing was left out of Callaghan’s young side.

The opening 20 minutes was painfully cagey, with both teams feeling each other out on a deceptively bobbly surface in Phibsboro. You felt it would take a moment of magic or a mistake to open the game, and it was the latter, unfortunately for Bohs and Stephen Traynor. The midfielder was caught in possession 30 yards from goal on 23 minutes by John Russell, who quickly slipped a lovely ball through to Christy Fagan. The former Man United trainee showed his class by slotting the ball between the legs of Dean Delany to give the Saints the lead.

A clearly shell-shocked Bohs had barely registered the opener when the lead was doubled. Just 90 seconds had passed when Chris Forrester’s mis-hit cross was clearly handled just inside the box by Derek Pender. It was a silly and needless error from the experienced Pender, and referee Alan Kelly had no choice but to point to the spot. Killian Brennan smashed the penalty home with an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Brennan’s Ronaldo-esque apologetic celebration showed some respect to the club he spent 4 successful years.

Half-time couldn’t come quick enough for the Gypsies who were at sixes and sevens. Traynor was having a particularly torrid evening alongside Ciaran Nangle. The left back was culpable again as Fagan got in behind for a second time, but this time his shot creeped just past the post.

Callaghan changed to a 3-5-2 in the second period, but Bohs still struggled to create any clear cut chances. The home fans were howling on the hour mark when a Dave Scully cross seemed to strike the arm of Kenny Browne. Although Pender’s was more obvious, many felt Alan Kelly would even up the penalty count – but to no avail. The Bohs fans were particularly irked by a string of Kelly decisions. Perhaps that was a good thing for the Bohs players as it took the attention away from probably one of the team’s worst performances in a long time.

With the next league game away to Sligo Rovers, Bohs may well be still in the bottom two by the time Shelbourne visit on the 14^th of June. What a huge game that might be in the context of the season.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne, Ciaran Nangle (Kevin O’Leary, 66), Shane Murray, Ryan McEvoy, Stephen Traynor (Roberto Lopes, 46), Andy Mulligan (Karl Moore, 83), Chris Lyons, Dave Scully. Subs not used: Greg Murray, Kevin Devaney, Michael Barker, Michael Scott.

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien, Conor Kenna, Kenny Browne (Aidan Price, 77), Ian Bermingham, Chris Forrester, Greg Bolger, Conan Byrne, Killian Brennan, John Russell, Christy Fagan (Anto ‘Bisto’ Flood, 86). Subs not used: Dave Ryan, Jake Carroll, Shane McFaul, Sean Gannon, Jake Kelly.

Bohs Man of the Match: Luke Byrne