A goal on his 23rd birthday from Dinny Corcoran and a wonderful strike from Karl Moore got Aaron Callaghan’s Bohemians reign off to the uplifting start that all at Dalymount Park would have hoped for as they’ll take a deserved 2-1 lead to Portadown for next week's second leg.
In a tight first half, Bohemians struck for the lead on 44mins.
Goalkeeper Craig Sexton’s long clearance bounced through for the run of Corcoran who skilfully lobbed David Miskelly for a fine finish.
Danny Joyce forced a terrific save from Miskelly early in the second half before midfielder Moore struck for Bohemians' second goal on 58mins, unleashing a stunning left-foot drive from distance that flew into the top corner of the net.
Portadown captain Kevin Braniff got them back into the game when heading home from a Jamie Tomelty corner two minutes later.
A goal from Liam Boyce gave Cliftonville a narrow 1-0 win first leg over St. Patrick's Athletic at Solitude.
Boyce struck three minutes into the second half when he outwitted the St. Pat's defence from a Martin Donnelly free-kick to shoot past Brendan Clarke.
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