The home side sensed blood and made it three moments later from the spot. In keeping with the against the ex-player theme, it ws ex-Bohs defender Dylan Hayes who gave away the spot kick, bundling into the back of Ward who played a lovely one-two with JJ Lunney. Up stepped Dinny Corcoran to slot home. Just before the break the rampant home side made it four with a rocket from the right boot of Kevin Devaney form 20 yards out, who certainly doesn’t do tap ins.

The Gypsies wasted no time adding a fifth just minutes after the start of the second half. Rob Cornwall got in on the act following Ward’s deep corner. Corcoran did well to keep it alive and up rose the big centre half to nod home.

Amazing scenes were to follow as Bohs were awarded their second penalty of the game after Lyons was hauled down by Moran. Chants of “Kelly, Kelly” rang around Phibsboro – as the youngster was on a hattrick- but Corcoran ignored the crowd. The penalty was brilliantly saved by Moran, as a chorus of boo’s sarcastically erupted from the Gypsie faithful.

Substitute Cristian Magerusan added insult to injury and, on his league debut, added a 6th with a very well taken finish on a memorable night for the youngster.

The massive victory puts a seven point gap between themselves and Limerick and, also, Keith Longs troops have a far superior goal difference (23 goals better off) which could count as an extra point come the end of the season if things get tight again.

Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Darragh Leahy, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Dinny Corcoran, Keith Ward, Kevin Devaney, Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney, Daniel Kelly, Andy Lyons

Subs: Sean Bohan, Dan Byrne, Danny Grant, Paddy Kavanagh, Cristian Magerusan, Ian Morris, Paddy Kirk

Bray Wanderers: Evan Moran, Conor Kenna, Sean Heaney, Paul O’Conor, Ger Pender, Jake Kelly, Dylan Hayes, Rhys Gorman, Gary McCabe, Dragos Mamaliga, Sean Harding

Subs: Mark O’Connor, Calvin Rogers, Darragh Noone, Jake Ellis, Cian Walsh, Byron O’Gorman, Alex Rafferty

Referee: Neil Doyle

The “Bit O’ Red” dealt a killer blow right before half time, and again, from a set piece. McCabe’s corner to the back post resulted in an almighty goal mouth scramble and as the ball dropped, David Cawley scuffed the ball towards goal which looked to go in off Dinny Corcoran on the line.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side, as just six minutes into the second half Derek Pender saw red for a wild, mistimed lunge on Regan Donelon.

The visitors didn’t take long making the man advantage count and just minutes later Cawley made it three, showing some quick feet in the box to shift the ball onto his right foot and reverse his low effort back into the near post.

Bohs thought they got one back, only for Seamus Sharkey to pull off a miraculous goal line clearance. Kevin Devaney burst through down the left wing from a quickly taken throw in and hammered the ball over Beeney, but somehow, Sharkey running back towards his own goal, managed to head over the bar on the line. The centre half was running at such speed he was unable to stop himself flying into, and ripping, the net in the process.

Keith Long will be bitterly disappointed at not just the manner of conceding the goals but the contrast in performances compared to how they’ve played since the break.

Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Darragh Leahy, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Dinny Corcoran, Keith Ward, Kevin Devaney, Oscar Brennan, Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney

Subs: Jamie Cleary, Daniel Byrne, Karl Moore, Danny Grant, Paddy Kavanagh, Ian Morris, Daniel Kelly

Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney, Regan Donelon, Seamus Sharkey, Rhys McCabe, Mikey Drennan, Lee J Lynch, Kris Twardek, Adam Wixted, Jack Keaney, John Mahon, David, Cawley

Subs: Ed McGinty, Kyle McFadden, Raffaele Cretaro, Liam Kerrigan, Darren Collis, Lewis Morrison

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Just before the break Eoghan Stokes sprayed a brilliant cross field ball to Kieth Buckley who was bombing on from right back. Buckley cut inside onto his left foot and incredibly Stokes, who made a lung bursting run, was on the end of the low cross and unluckily for the striker volleyed straight at Cork stopper, McNulty.

The Gypsies started the well and just minutes in, an outrageous cross field ball from Watts, found the toe of the busy Keith Ward on the left who did well to shake off Horgan but dragged his shot wide of the near post.

Despite the domination and neat play, the home side were made to pay for not taking their chances and were caught cold in the 65th minute. Substitute Kieran Sadlier’s clever thinking and quick throw in released Cummins over the top who sowed great pace and composure to slot the ball into the far top corner and make it 2-0.

This sucker punch deflated the hosts who plugged away for what remained and will play worse this season and pick up points. Whereas John Caulfield and his troops will know this was a massive three points earned and a professional enough performance and as the old saying goes, Champions find a way of winning, when their not at their best.

Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Darragh Leahy, Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Keith Ward, Danny Grant, Keith Buckley, Ian Morris, JJ Lunney, Dylan Watts, Eoghan Stokes

Subs: Colin McCabe, Dan Casey, Philly Gannon, Dinny Corcoran, Kevin Devaney, Paddy Kirk, Rob Manley

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Geroid Morrissey, Jimmy Kehone, Conor McCormack, Graham Cummins, Karl Sheppard, Shane Griffin, Conor McCarthy, Colm Horgan, Barry McNemee, Sean McLoughlin

Subs: Peter Cherrie, Danny Kane, Aaron Barry, Kieran Sadlier, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Michael Howard, Josh O’Hanlon