Shamrock Rovers moved joint-top of the Premier Division following a 3-0 victory over Bohemians in a thrilling derby game at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

 

Goals from Dan Murray, Gary Twigg and Billy Dennehy fired the Hoops to their sixth home win of the season and boost their title chances.

 

The early stages were quite frantic as both sides attempted to grab control of the game. Stephen Bradley smashed a free-kick against the crossbar, while Paddy Madden was a constant threat for Bohs.

 

Although the contest was jolted into life when Murray opened the scoring on 24 minutes when he ghosted in at the back post to convert Thomas Stewart's cross.

 

Bohs responded with some positive play as Madden went on a winding individual run that brought him all the way to the penalty spot before the danger was cleared.

 

The pressure from the visitors resulted in Mark Quigley forcing Alan Mannus into a save and Killian Brennan's cross striking the crossbar as they went in at the break trailing by a single goal.

 

After the interval, it was just as end-to-end with Bohs pushing forward at every opportunity and Rovers using a swift counter attack style as their route to attacking play.

 

On 58 minutes, the hosts were dealt a blow when right-back Pat Flynn was shown a straight red card for kicking Gareth McGlynn.

 

However, it was Michael O'Neill's side who were first to respond to that when Twigg lit up the scoreboard on 62 minutes. The Scottish hitman latched onto an Aidan Price long pass, took two touches to get past Ken Oman and fired into the back of the net.

 

Bohs didn't give up though with Madden crashing a header against the crossbar, but the game was as good as over when substitute Dennehy blasted in from a tight angle to wrap up the win.

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Flynn, Murray, Price, Stevens; Kavanagh (Sives 61), Rice, Bradley (Chambers 52), Bayly, Stewart; Twigg (Dennehy 78). 

 

Bohemians: Murphy; Shelley, Heary, Oman, Rossiter (Cretaro 73); Brennan, McGlynn (Byrne 64), Cronin (Higgins 64), Keegan, Quigley; Madden. 

 

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).