They remain the longest of long shots but after registering three wins on the trot and eight victories from their last 11 games, Bohemians are clinging on in this 2011 League title race.

 

Few expect them to win it but if their form continues and the four teams up ahead continue to self-destruct then who knows? What we do know is the team Pat Fenlon has assembled on a shoestring is swiftly maturing into a powerful force.

Not quite as powerful, however, as the impact the wind had on this game, as the remnants of Hurricane Katia blew through Dalymount Park and disrupted the tempo of the match.

Nonetheless, while Katia was a factor in the development of this game, Killian Brennan was a more significant one. The excellence of his technique overcame the elements, resulted in Bohs passing their way through the Dundalk defence on two occasions in the first half – when Aidan Downes and Anto Flood both came close to scoring – and then, on 50 minutes, led to the opening goal.

Renowned for the quality of his left foot, the midfielder scored a rare goal with his right in the 50th minute, after receiving keeper, Craig Sexton’s long clearance, before striking it low beyond Dundalk’s keeper, Peter Cherrie.

If that was impressive then Ger O’Brien’s goal was even more so – a 30-yard-run and subsequent 30-yard-shot which found its way into Cherrie’s net via the underside of the crossbar.

Dundalk responded through Johnny Breen, whose initial shot was saved by Sexton, before the striker calmly slotted home the rebound. Game on? In injury time it was game over when Christy Fagan sidefooted in Flood’s cross.

BOHEMIANS: Sexton; O'Brien, Heary, Burns, Rossiter; Brennan, Hurley (McEvoy, 85 mins.), Cronin, Buckley (Bayly, 76 mins.); Flood, Downes (Fagan, 63 mins.).

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, C. Byrne, McHugh, Murphy; Griffin, Bennett, Bolger, Quigley; Breen, J. Byrne.

REFEREE: D McKeon (Dublin).