Bohemians 0 Sunderland 1:Sunderland enjoyed a winning start to their tour of Ireland as Stern John scored the only goal in the victory over Bohemians.
John, a 73rd-minute substitute, found the net within five minutes of coming on after converting Ross Wallace's cross.
Anthony Stokes came close to scoring in the first half but his shot curled over the crossbar, while in the second half Michael Chopra missed from three yards and Kieran Richardson saw his shot deflecting up and over off team-mate David Connolly.
New signing Paul McShane, a £1.5million signing from West Brom this week, made his debut for the Black Cats and played the full 90 minutes.
Bohemians:Murphy (Mimms, 31); Rossiter, Burns (Rice, 81), Pooley (Rafferty, 66), Powell; McGinley (Moran, 74), Hunt (McCann, 49), O'Donnell (Brady, 87), Richardson (Kingsberry, 57); Fenn (Harkin, 79), Mansaram (Kelly, 71).
Sunderland:Fulop; Halford, Etuhu, McShane, Wallace; Edwards, Etuhu, Richardson (Collins, 76), Stokes (Whitehead, 62); Murphy (Connolly, 66), Chopra (John, 73).
Referee:Dave McKeon (Dublin).
