Dundalk beat Bohs to seal qualification for Europe

Dundalk survived a nervy finish at Casey's Field to hold out for a result which secured their return to European football next season.

First-half goals from David McMillan and Runar Hauge put Stephen O’Donnell’s side in the driving seat but an Ethon Varian header with a minute remaining briefly threatened to spoil the party.

In the end the home side held out for a result which will see them take part in next summer’s Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Having been in Europe for eight seasons in a- row prior to this one, O’Donnell has achieved his objective in his first year in charge at Oriel Park.

While Dundalk can still potentially finish second, this result - coupled with Sligo Rovers’ win over St Patrick’s Athletic at Tthe Showgrounds - means that the Inchicore outfit cannot catch them for third place.

For Bohs, Declan Devine will be pleased with large aspects of his side’s play, having dictated proceedings for the most part but his wait for a first win since succeeding Keith Long will extend into a third game at home to Sligo Rovers on Sunday week.

It was the visitors who started on top with Liam Burt forcing a good save from Nathan Shepperd inside the opening four minutes before Andy Boyle was called upon into a redeeming block to deny Kris Twardek six minutes later after he had coughed up possession all too easily to James McManus, who then set the Canadian winger away.

Burt then headed into the side-netting after a Jordan Flores corner was kept alive by Rory Feely on 13 minutes before Dundalk hit the front against the run of play on 21 minutes.

Bohs had reason to feel aggrieved after Jordan Doherty was penalised for what looked a stumble by Ryan O'Kane but the hosts punished them as McMillan stepped up to curl a superb