DALYMOUNT’S mini facelift is a temporary fix for now but the Gypsies faithful will hope their team’s new swagger is permanent.
Jordan Flores and Declan McDaid scored to down Dundalk and ensure that Bohemians spend a second week running at the top of the pile.
Off field issues engulfed the Lilywhites earlier in the day as the club’s owners tried to offer clarity on potential investment in the club.
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Hull City, one of three interested parties, have publicly discussed acquiring a majority share.
And their owners were in Ireland alright, but across the capital watching Shelbourne as they decide where to splash their cash - if at all.
No doubt Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell could have done without the distraction ahead of this game.
He has a lot of new signings to blood and will hope they hit their stride sooner rather than later - but there’s work to be done on this evidence.
Dundalk were blown off course by a revitalised Bohs side that were always in control in front of an increased home capacity and new stand for away fans.
The 90th minute goal they conceded - Dundalk’s Finnish sub Johannes Yli-Yokko marked his debut with a strike from distance - was the only blot against them.
Dundalk’s bright start didn’t last long. They failed to work James Talbot at all, and spent the rest of the half containing a free-wheeling Bohs always eager to please.
Early days of course, but they appear to have rid themselves of the funk that weighed them down last season and Declan Devine’s new signings are packing early punch.
And so, too, are some familiar faces with Flores, Keith Buckley, Jonathan Afolabi and Ali Coote all central to that positive approach.
Ex-Celtic forward Afolabi was injured on his first start for the Gypsies last year and wasn’t seen again but fit and able, he is busy proving his worth.
And in tandem with wide men Dylan Connolly - whose blistering pace caused Dundalk bother - and McDaid, Afolabi was such a threat.
On another night, he might have won a penalty after going down under an Andy Boyle challenge.
Then he fired over Nathan Shepperd’s crossbar when a Buckley cross fell his way in a crowded box.
Dundalk’s cause wasn’t helped when midfielder Alfie Lewis was forced off with a first-half injury.
And his replacement, new recruit Yli-Kokko, was blessed not to give away a penalty when handling a cross into the box.
But Bohs were firmly in the ascendency and duly got the half-time lead that their have-a-go approach deserved.
Louie Annesley - the Gibraltar international set to face Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying - was booked for collaring speedster Connolly as he tried to race into the box.
Flores looked like a man who meant business as he stood over the free.
In the wall, Afolabi cleverly dunted Pat Hoban out of the way and ducked, creating a path for Flores to unleash a rocket to the top corner and spark chaos in the stands.
Bohs maintained their drive into the second-half with Connolly flashing a shot across goal while Coote forced Shepperd into a vital save down low.
Briefly, it woke Dundalk from their slumber but Bohs quickly slapped manners on them by killing off the game with 19 minutes to go.
Paddy Kirk’s crunching tackle on Connor Malley set the wheels in motion with Afolabi scampering free on a blistering counter to tee up McDaid for a low finish.
Yli-Kokko’s fine strike from outside the box was always too little for Dundalk.
BOHEMIANS: Talbot 7; Buckley 7, Horton 7, Radkowski 7, Kirk 7, McDonnell 7, Flores 7; Connolly 7 (Twardek 85, 5), Coote 8 (Akintunde 85, 5), McDaid 7 (Nowak 77, 5); Afolabi 8 (Williams 84, 5)
DUNDALK: Shepperd 6, Davies 5 (Tulloch 80, 5), Muller 5, Boyle 6, Annesley 5, Lewis 5 (Yli-Kokko 36, 6), Doyle 5 (Martin 76, 5); Sloggett 6, Malley 5 (Elliott 76, 5), O’Kane 5 (Kelly 55, 5); Hoban 5
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