Having suffered their only defeat of the season in Dalymount Park in February, Shamrock Rovers gained revenge courtesy of a 2-1 win in front of a healthy crowd of over 9,000 fans at Tallaght Stadium.
Bohs played their part in a hugely enjoyable contest, but two first half goals by Graham Burke, the second a disputed penalty, were sufficient on the evening.
The visitors mounted a big push in the second half, earning a late penalty themselves, which was coolly converted by Colm Whelan.
Rovers gave now gone nine games undefeated since their first Derby meeting against the Gypsies. Bohs meanwhile have now not won in six league games and have suffered back-to-back defeats following their home loss to Sligo last week.
Before the off, Hoops’ manager Stephen Bradley made one enforced change from the win over St Pats, giving John O’Sullivan his first start of the season in midfield in place of the influential but injured Matt Healy.
Bohs manager Alan Reynolds, back from a three-game suspension, was in the dug-out and captain Dawson Devoy was also back from a one game ban, as was Dayle Rooney after his recent injury woes.
It was the hosts who hit the front in the fifth minute with a great presence of mind and persistence shown by former Irish International Burke, who recently scored his 100th goal for the club.
Having picked up the ball in midfield before surging to the edge of the Bohs area, the Rovers number 10 appeared to be taken down by defender Sam Todd, but referee Rob Hennessey didn’t give the free kick as the players and crowed demanded.
But Burke was swiftly back on his feet to capitalise on a Bohs’ mix-up in possession, the ball richocheting helpfully into the Hoops’ striker’s path and he curled a low left-footed shot past Kacper Chorazka from the edge of the area.
Stephen Bradley celebrates at full-time
Bohs took a while to settle after that concession, and it was only in the 21st minute that they created their first chance as Jordan Flores danced his way into the home area, before crossing to Douglas James-Taylor who was denied at the death by a brilliant goal-saving tackle by Roberto Lopez.
Just past the half hour, a Dayle Rooney corner was rolled to the waiting Devoy, lurking on the edge of the area, and his bending shot just fizzed by Ed McGinty’s left hand post.
Moments later, Devoy found space on the edge of the area, but instead of shooting, he was unselfish setting up Rooney, who skied over the bar with only McGinty to beat.
After Sam Todd hit the post with a header from a Devoy corner, the home side broke away and were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute.
Danny Grant was deemed to have been pulled down by the Bohs captain, but, on second viewing, it appeared that Grant had kicked Devoy’s leg in the process of shooting, much to Devoy’s obvious annoyance.
Burke rolled in the spot kick, sending Chorazka the wrong way.
Bohs, who had won four of their past five meetings against Rovers but only one from the last 12 in Tallaght, pushed hard to pull a goal back after half time.
Colm Whelan side-foots home Bohemians’ penalty
Zack Myers went one on one with McGinty, but the home keeper spread himself well and moments later McGinty saved his side again as Patrick Hickey’s shot cannoned up from the prone Scottish keeper before crashing off the bar.
Rovers on the back foot for long spells in the second half, almost got a third as Grant wriggled his way free in the area in the 68th minute only to be denied by a superb diving save by Chorazka.
Bohs got a reward for their huffing and puffing, making it 2-1 in the 80th minute, when, after a corner by Marcus Strodds wasn’t cleared, Grant took down Colm Whelan.
The sub picked himself up to slot home the penalty and set up a grandstand finish.
Rovers could have had a third in the 82nd minute as Aaron Greene’s diving header was saved by Chorazka.
But they were able to weather six minute injury-time to retain top spot.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Tunmise Sobowale, Roberto Lopes © Cory O’Sullivan; Jake Mulraney (Adam Brennan 64), John O’Sullivan, Jack Byrne (Najamendine Razi 74), Danny Grant; Graham Burke (Aaron Greene 64), Victor Ozhianvuna (Enda Stevens 88); Michael Noonan. (John McGovern 74)
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka, Darragh Power, Sam Todd, Patrick Hickey, Jordan Flores (Sadou Diallo 70), Dayle Rooney (Conor Parsons 70), Senan Mullen, Dawson Devoy ©, Ross Tierney (Leigh Kavanagh 77), Zane Myers (Marcus Strodds 58), Douglas James-Taylor (Colm Whelan 58).