Saints beat Bohs as boo-boys make feelings known at Dalymount

St Patrick's Athletic inflicted a painful home defeat on Dublin rivals Bohemians in a result that is likely to be crucial when European qualification is decided at the end of the season.

Goals from Barry Cotter and Chris Forrester gave the Saints a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Adam O’Reilly’s late strike ensured that Rory Feely’s header was nothing more than a second-half consolation.

The win leaves St Patrick’s Athletic within touching distance of the European qualification spots, while Bohemians linger a further 12 points behind the Inchicore side.

And the frustration around Dalymount was tangible as a crescendo of boos rang out at full-time.

A lively evening started on a sombre note, as the home fans unveiled a poignant banner in tribute to legendary club volunteer Derek Monaghan, who passed away earlier this month.

He was a stalwart at this ground, and the setting couldn’t be better for a game of football in his honour as a wispy sky glossed over the famous Phibsborough turf.

With a goal in each of his last two league games, St Patrick’s winger Serge Atakayi looked full of confidence charging down the right-hand side early on.

And the Finnish national created the game’s opening chance when he beat his marker to drill a low cross into the box. However, Eoin Doyle’s shot flew just wide of the post.

It’s not typical for a Shamrock Rovers player to become a Saints fan favourite, but that is certainly the case with the on-loan Cotter, who converted a magnificent solo effort to open the scoring.

The right wing-back collected a one-two from Forrester on half-way, jinked past three tackles and smashed a deflected effort in from just inside the box.

Regardless of whether he returns to Shamrock Rovers next season, one thinks he’ll