Bohemians won the Setanta Sports Cup for the very first time after beating St Patrick’s Athletic in a thrilling final at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday.

 

Anthony Murphy was the hero for the Premier Division champions as his 24th-minute header proved to be the difference between the Dublin clubs.

 

St Pat’s, who were missing Damian Lynch, David McAllister and Brian Cash, started well with striker Paul Byrne coming close with a header inside the opening period.

 

Bohs keeper Barry Murphy did well to save that effort and he was hardly tested by Byrne minutes later when the striker’s shot lacked the necessary power.

 

Gareth Coughlan also tried his luck from distance, but the former Bray Wanderers winger was off-target with his effort.

 

The Gypsies registered their first chance on goal when Jason Byrne connected with a throw-in from Anthony Murphy, but Saints keeper Gary Rogers did well to save his volley.

 

Then they took the lead. A corner from the right was swung in from Killian Brennan and Murphy got in between two defenders to head the ball into the back of the net

 

 

Coughlan smashed a shot against the crossbar on 48 minutes, while Vinny Faherty saw his goal-bound shot blocked on the line as that bit of luck evaded the Inchicore outfit.

 

But Bohs did well to hang on and claim what should prove to be a significant victory as they took the first piece of silverware available in the Airtricity League season.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, Guthrie, Bermingham; Guy, S Byrne, Mulcahy (Doyle 89), Coughlan (Sinnott 89); Faherty, P Byrne (Williams 67).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Connor, Haverty, Harney.

 

Bohemians: B Murphy; Heary, Shelley, McGuinness, Powell; A Murphy (Quigley 71), Keegan, Cronin, Brennan; Byrne (Cretaro 85), Greene (Madden HT).

 

Substitutes Not Used: O’Connor, Rossiter, Traynor, Burke.

 

Referee: Alan Black (IFA)