A SUBLIME KURTIS Byrne free-kick was enough for Bohemians to get the better of St Patrick’s Athletic in a scrappy Dublin derby at Richmond Park tonight.

The win is the Gypsies’ third in their last four league games which lifts them up to seventh in the table and within one point of Pat’s.

The hosts controlled the opening half but Keith Long’s men took control 10 minutes after the break when Byrne curled in the match winning free-kick.

Pat’s made fours change to the side which progressed in the cup last week and instantly looked to set the pace of the game but it was Bohs who had the best chance of the opening exchanges.

Lorcan Fitzgerald’s free-kick from the right bobbled around the box before Byrne swiveled onto his left foot and with the goal at his mercy he could only shoot wide of the post when he ought to have hit the target at the very least.

Pat’s took control of possession after their early scare as Graham Kelly shot tamely into the arms of Shane Supple.

Graham Kelly and Eoin Wearen battle for possession. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Soon after, Steven Kinsella almost found the waiting Christy Fagan with a cross from the left but Supple did well to punch away with the clearance falling to Mark Timlin who lost his opportunity to shoot before teeing up Ian Bermingham whose sliced shot went inches wide of the post.

Darren Dennehy almost headed Pat’s in front seven minutes after the restart but was then caught out immediately on the counter as Keith Buckley saw space between Dennehy and defensive partner Rory Feely with Byrne again failing to finish with a flicked effort.

Two minutes later though the Bohs striker did finally find the net with a magnificent free-kick. Paddy Kavanagh was fouled 20 yards out by Timlin and Byrne curled a pin-point effort around the wall into the corner to give the visitors the lead.

Buoyed by the opener, Bohs should’ve made it two moments later when Dean O’Halloran found Eoin Wearen free in the box but his header went just wide.

Liam Buckley introduced Billy Dennehy and Dinny Corcoran as the home side pushed for a late equaliser and had claims for a penalty before Conor O’Malley smothered a Byrne effort on the counter.

Then Fagan had a chance to snatch a draw as Ger O’Brien’s cross looped to the back post but the Pat’s forward headed over from point-blank range as the visitors just about held out to seal a second win of the season over their city rivals.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Conor O’Malley; Ger O’Brien, Darren Dennehy, Rory Feely, Ian Bermingham; Lee Desmond, Graham Kelly (Dinny Corcoran, 74), Conan Byrne, Mark Timlin (Keith Treacy, 61), Steven Kinsella (Billy Dennehy, 55); Christy Fagan.

BOHEMIANS: Shane Supple; Dylan Hayes, Derek Prendergast, Dan Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Paddy Kavanagh, Roberto Lopes, Eoin Wearen (Ian Morris, 84), Keith Buckley, Dean O’Halloran; Kurtis Byrne.

Referee: Graham Kelly