Dundalk are on the brink of suffering relegation for the first time in over 22 years after this 2-0 defeat by Bohemians in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division at Oriel Park, on a sombre Friday night in the town after the passing of Mark ‘Maxi’ Kavanagh.

Prior to kick-off, supporters on the Shedside unfurled a banner reading ‘Maxi, Dundalk loves you more than you will know’. In the closing minutes of the match, the Lilywhite legend’s sad passing was confirmed, with his absence set to leave a huge void in his beloved Oriel.

Dundalk players in front of The Shed before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully.

On the pitch, Bohemians had started the game well but Dundalk soon took over and went closest in the first half, somehow failing to scramble in Paul Doyle’s wicked free-kick on the quarter-hour, with a number of home players convinced that the ball had crossed the line.

Dayle Rooney should have scored at the start of the second half. But Bohs did take the lead before the hour mark in spectacular fashion after the ball fell to Dawson Devoy on the edge of the box and he unleashed a thunderbolt to the roof of the net.

Daryl Horgan was presented with Dundalk’s best chance of an equaliser but he ballooned the ball over, and Bohs went on to seal all three points six minutes from time after Rooney’s corner was turned in by a Lilywhites player at the back post.

Dundalk players react to a missed chance during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully.

For the game, Jon Daly made four changes to the team that lost in Sligo six days earlier. Mayowa Animasahun, Seán Keogh, Doyle – who returned from injury after an 11-week absence – and Jamie Gullan came in for the suspended Hayden Cann, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane and Eoin Kenny.

Bohemians started brightly. Rooney’s well-delivered first-minute corner was punched out from under his crossbar by Ross Munro, and in their next attack shortly after, Ross Tierney clipped a through-ball for Alex Greive to run onto but, from a tight angle, he was denied by the Scottish ‘keeper.

On 14 minutes came what proved to be a pivotal moment in the game as Dundalk unbelievably failed to find the net. Doyle’s fierce free-kick from the right was flicked on by Andy Boyle and struck Horgan at the back post with Animasahun and Horgan both twice denied before the ball broke for Gullan who flashed his shot wide.

Goalkeeper Ross Munro before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully.

That started a period where Dundalk enjoyed plenty of possession, but it was the 40th minute before they threatened again. Again, a Doyle free-kick created the opportunity, with captain John Mountney heading the ball goalwards but Bohs ‘keeper Kacper Chorazka clawed it away from the feet of Gullan.

Bohs threatened twice before the break, first from another Rooney corner which Jevon Mills attacked but Dan Pike cleared, before Liam Smith raided down the right and crossed to the back post where Danny Grant connected first-time but his effort went wildly over.

Dundalk were forced into a change at half-time after Pike was stretchered off, with O’Kane coming in to replace him. Bohs almost took the lead two minutes after the resumption when Devoy pulled the ball back for Rooney but he dragged his shot wide when well placed in the box.

Dundalk goalkeeper Ross Munro fails to stop the shot of Dawson Devoy of Bohemians, 10, to concede his side’s first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Bohs were on top but, on 56 minutes, O’Kane almost stole in behind the visiting defence only to be pushed wide. At the other end, the Gypsies resumed control and Rooney let fly from distance but the head of Animasahun diverted it behind.

From Rooney’s corner, Bohs hit the front in the 58th minute. The number 8’s deliveries had been dangerous all night and this one was cleared only as far as the ‘D’ where Devoy could not have connected with the ball any sweeter as he rocketed his strike to the roof of the net.

Daly then introduced Dara Keane for Doyle. The home side should have been level on 65 minutes when O’Kane cut in on the left and sent the ball across the area, Gullan missing it but it fell for Horgan who, looking set to score, ballooned over.

Ryan O’Kane of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Three minutes later, Gullan drove over. Bohs remained a live threat, too, and a Rooney free-kick almost snuck into the top corner in the 71st minute, with Munro relieved to see the ball fly over the crossbar.

Dundalk – who announced an official attendance of 3,086 – were desperate for a way back into the game, but the mood in the ground told the story, with Drogheda at the time leading 2-0 against title-chasing Derry City 20 miles down the road.

Kenny was thrown on for the final 11 minutes. However, he had little time to make an impact before Bohemians – who had gone close through James Akintunde’s 81st-minute header – made it 2-0 on 84 minutes.

Eoin Kenny of Dundalk reacts at the final whistle after his side’s defeat in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Once more, it was a Rooney set-piece that caused problems for the home defence, with James Clarke attacking it in the six-yard box and the ball appeared to bounce off a combination of Mountney and Gullan at the back post as it ended up in the back of the net.

In injury-time, Hakiki hit the bar in what would have been a consolation for the home side, who were lucky not to concede a third after that as Archie Meekison and Devoy both went close, with Bohs confidently seeing out just their third win in their last 20 outings.

DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, Dan Pike (Ryan O’Kane HT), Andy Boyle, Mayowa Animasahun, Seán Keogh (Jad Hakiki 73), Aodh Dervin (Eoin Kenny 79), Paul Doyle (Dara Keane 58), Daryl Horgan, Robbie Benson, John Mountney, Jamie Gullan. Subs not used: Felix Goddard (GK), Koen Oostenbrink, Robbie Mahon, Scott McGill, Bobby Faulkner.

BOHEMIANS: Kacper Chorazka, Liam Smith, Jevon Mills (Jake Carroll 79), Cian Byrne, Paddy Kirk, Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell, Dayle Rooney, Ross Tierney (James Clarke 74), Danny Grant (Archie Meekison 74), Alex Greive (James Akintunde 35). Subs not used: James Talbot (GK), Declan McDaid, Filip Piszczek, Brian McManus, Martin Miller.

REFEREE: Kevin O’Sullivan.