Keith Long will no doubt be furious at his side’s slack start to the game and bitterly disappointed his side didn’t match the intensity of their Dublin rivals. Despite this nightmare start, the raucous away fans were in full voice desperately trying to lift their side. It seemed to have an affect as they began to grow more and more into the game and looked comfortable in possession.

Kurtis Byrne, who was looking to follow up on his winner against Sligo, hit a nice right-footed volley which was well saved by Brendan Clarke. This was followed by a free-kick from former Saints frontman, Mark Quigley, from about 30 yards out which also hit the target. It was a reminder to the home side that the game was not yet over.

With Bohs desperately trying to claw their way back into the game, Paddy Kavanagh and Ismahil Akinade found themselves in referee Padraig Sutton’s book after some full-blooded tackles.

After what must of been a very stern half-time talking to, Bohs came out and dominated the start of the second half. As a unit they pushed a further 20 yards up the pitch to take the game to the hosts. Eoin Wearen began dictating play and the energetic Keith Buckley was a lot more vocal in trying to organise the side. Pat’s dropped deeper and deeper and seemed to take the foot off the gas a little, protecting their two-goal cushion.

Ex-Irish international Keith Tracey started to show his class in keeping possession, portraying his long-range passing ability, finding team-mates with ease, and in turn frustrating the visitors who were probing but to no avail. That frustration boiled over when Bohs striker Akinade was deemed late on Shane McEleney and subsequently picked up his second yellow of the game and received his marching orders. That seemed to end Bohs’ hopes of clawing their way back into the game.

Long decided to go with three at the back after replacing Derek Prendergast with Ayman Ben Mohammed in one last throw of the dice. The tiring Quigley was also replaced by the fresh legs of Jake Kelly in a bid to liven things up and hopefully pull one back.

But with the game coming to a close, Man of the Match Billy Dennehy got the goal his performance deserved and subsequently rubbed salt in the wounds of the away side by nodding in the third headed goal of the night, following good work by Conan Byrne down the right.

Despite looking good in possession and continuing to fight bravely with 10 men, there will be no time to dwell on this performance for Long’s men with a big game coming up at home to Wexford Youths this Friday and the passionate Bohs fans will no doubt be expecting a big reaction from the players after a night to forget.

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien (capt), Ian Bermingham, Darren Dennehy, David Cawley, Keith Treacy (Sam Verdon), Christy Fagan, Mark Timlin (Conan Byrne), Graham Kelly, Shane McEleney, Billy Dennehy
Subs not used: Dylan McGlade, Darragh Markey, Jason McGuinness, Patrick Jennings.
Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender (capt), Roberto Lopes, Derek Pendergast (sub Ayman ben Mohammed), Eoin Wearen, Keith Buckley, Mark Quigley (sub Jake Kelly), Kurtis Byrne, Stephen Best, Paddy Kavanagh, Ishmahil Akinade.
Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Daniel Byrne, David Mulcahy, Adam Evans, Dylan Hayes.
Referee: Padraig Sutton