Bohemians got their new season campaign off to the perfect start last night after goals from Jason Keddy and Glen Crowe were enough to see off a brave Longford challenge at Flancare Park.
Bohemians were flattered to lead at half-time as Longford were totally dominant in the opening 45 minutes. Chances fell to Alan Kirby, Philip Keogh, Alan Murphy and Seán Francis, but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Shay Kelly kept the visitors' net intact.
Keddy scored the only goal of the first half in the 12th minute. The midfielder capitalised on a defensive mix-up before deflecting his effort over the head of Longford goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien.
Bohemians were reduced to 10 men when Stephen Caffrey was yellow-carded for the second time by referee Ian Stokes.
That came in the 74th minute and, after withstanding a late Longford rally, Bohemians made sure of the points when Crowe opened his account for the season.
Crowe was left with the simplest of tap-ins after latching on to Robbie Doyle's inch-perfect cross