The Miracle of Dalymount (Bohs 2-4 City) - ratings
Brendan Kennedy: 8
Horribly at fault for the first goal, but held his nerve under an endless barrage of of second-half crosses. Didn't always look entirely comfortable, but kept Bohs out when it mattered.
Pierre Ennis: 7.5
After a nightmare start, Pierre (presumably energised by the miracle occurring around him) turned into some kind of impassable defensive behemoth. Morrison skinned him on several occasions, but Pierre invariably recovered to block the cross.
Keith Foy: 8.5
Solid in defence and constructive in possession. Don't underestimate the importance or difficulty of his penalty. Had he missed, the comeback would have died before it started. Facing a goalkeeper whom one has already beaten from the spot earlier in the season is always a psychological minefield, but Keith retained his equilibrium to send the Vikings on their way.
Wes Byrne: 7.5
Spared an own-goal by Crowe's goal-hungry lunge, Wes pulled his socks up to play an important role alongside Ben Whelehan in this vital win.
Ben Whelehan: 10
I swear he was cloned at half time, such was his ubiquity in the second period. If Ben's countless aeriel clearances didn't leave him with a pounding headache this morning, then I hope the post-match celebrations did. Because no-one did more to earn them than Ben.
Dave McGill: 9
Selected, rather surprisingly, on the right-hand side of midfield, Dave kicked on from a quiet start to turn in a performance full of skill, shrewdness and vigour. As a Shamrock Rovers fan, he will have gleaned more enjoyment from this result than most.
Killian Brennan: 9
A key player in City's counterattacking set-up, Killian's pace and imagination provided a valuable out-ball when the pressure was at its most intense. Made arguably the most important contribution of anyone in sky blue by forcing Lynch's dismissal through good positioning and awareness. Moments later, he ws in exactly the right place at exactly the right time again to fire City level (the shot may have been deflected, but Killian deserves the credit for keeping it down and on target.)
Jason Colwell: 8
A bundle of energy, Jason's exceptional workrate and neat touches helped compensate for the absence of the influential Paul Crowley. Clever chip near the end almost produced a goal.
Dom Tierney: 7.5
Calming influence in central midfield, and ventured forward to good effect on several occasions. Now over the effects of a niggling virus, we look forward to seeing Dom at his best in weeks to come.
Cathal "Cottsy" O'Connor: 9
To see Cottsy with the ball at his feet and a little room to work his magic is to experience a kind of pleasure seldom accorded to followers of the domestic game. Had he managed to complement his outrageous flick over a defender's head (in the six-yard box!) with an appropriate finish, we would have been looking at one of Europe's goals of the season.
Gary O'Neill: 10 - Man of the Match
He's just showing off now.
SUBS
Philly Hughes: 8.5
Hawkins probably breathed a sigh of relief when Gary O'Neill was called ashore. Now, surely, the torment would end. Not a bit of it! Philly was bright and alert when he needed to be, slotting past Kelly after judging the trajectory of a long hoof to perfection. Is there a better one-on-one finisher in the league? PHILL-AY! PHILL-AY! PHILL-AY! PHILL-AY!
Robbie Collins: 7
A strange choice of substitute, perhaps, but Robbie helped protect the lead and wasted no time in making friends with the ball.
Tony "Toccy" O'Connor: 7
Brought on for his first taste of league football since October 2003, Toccy slotted into central midfield and helped guide the team through the closing stages. A shame that circumstances prevented him from getting the reception he deserved on his return to Dalymount.
