Bohemians 0 Derry City 1:WHILE EMPHASISING that beating last year's league winners Drogheda three times made them worthy champions, Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon stressed Derry had been perhaps his side's toughest opponents this season.
And so it proved last night as Stephen Kenny's side earned a narrow win, courtesy of Mark Farren's late goal, to spoil the presentation party as Bohemians received the league crown, and medals, after the final whistle.
It ended a 12-match winning run and was only Bohemians' second defeat of the campaign since losing to St Patrick's Athletic at the same venue in March.
Bohemians also finished with 10 men as Anthony Murphy was controversially sent off for diving.
With a decision on a dispute regarding the €40 million sale of Dalymount Park to developer Liam Carroll adjourned in the High Court until November 4th, there was no good news for Bohemians on their relocation aspirations ahead of kick-off.
Fenlon, perhaps with one eye on next week's FAI Cup semi-final at St Patrick's, made four changes to the side that clinched the title at United Park last week with Liam Burns, Killian Brennan and Stephen O'Donnell on the bench.
Those who came in did their claims to start again next week little harm as Bohemians' desire was undiminished. They carved the first opening on 11 minutes, Jason Byrne forcing a save from Ger Doherty with a close-range shot. Byrne almost caught Doherty unawares 10 minutes later with a 35-yard free-kick which the goalkeeper was late to react to after Derry captain Clive Delaney had been booked for a foul on Glen Crowe.
Third-placed Derry responded as Niall McGinn troubled Bohemians with goalkeeper Brian Murphy twice having to make comfortable saves from the left winger.
Derry showed purpose in the second half and twice came close early on. Gareth McGlynn, picked out by Farren, volleyed just over before providing a low delivery that Farren just failed to meet.
The game perhaps turned on 69 minutes when Murphy was sent off for diving after pushing the ball past goalkeeper Gerard Doherty. Booked for dissent in the first half, it was a second yellow for Murphy, though it seemed harsh as there appeared to be contact. Bohemians goalkeeping coach Dermot O'Neill thought so and was also sent to the stand for protesting.
The goal arrived on 76 minutes when Sammy Morrow played Farren in and the striker, watched last night by scouts from Brighton, shot past Brian Murphy.
• Limerick 37have been fined €1,000 and Wexford awarded the match on a 3-0 scoreline following Limerick's refusal to play in protest against the lack of proper warm-up facilities in Wexford on October 6th. Limerick 37 are to appeal the decision.
BOHEMIANS:B Murphy; O Heary, McGuinness, Oman (Burns, 89 mins), Powell; A Murphy, Cronin, Deegan (O'Donnell, 62 mins), Kelly (Kalonas, 72 mins); Crowe, Byrne.
DERRY CITY:Doherty; McCallion (Callaghan, 53 mins), Delaney, McChrystal, Gray; McGlynn, Molloy (Higgins, 75 mins), Deery, McGinn; Morrow, Farren (Stewart, 92 mins).
Referee:Richie Winter (Dublin).
