It had been marked in the diary for weeks.
The recommencement of the League of Ireland had been afforded a fascinating opening tie; an all-Dublin affair between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers.
With no tickets remaining, a packed Dalymount Park looked - and sounded, crucially - no worse for wear despite the heavy rain.
The football, however, scarcely met the occasion in a fairly dour first half. Through a questionable bit of goalkeeping from Bohs' Shane Supple however, Shamrock Rovers took a 1-0 lead into the second half.
Although the visitors had looked like they could stick a few more onto the score-sheet, the hosts eventually got their house in order - Dan Casey leveling affairs with a great headed effort.
73' Bohs 1-1 Rovers - Dan Casey rises highest to head the hosts level! Live: https://t.co/qD0hRoN5C8 pic.twitter.com/8ffVgXCy8G
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) February 16, 2018
The momentum had shifted.
No longer did Shamrock Rovers look like they were going to upset the extremely vocal home support. Running onto a breaking ball forward, Paddy Kavanagh's finish was absolutely top class; the celebration from the two ladies in the fortunately placed chip van making it all the better.
81' Bohs 2-1 Rovers Paddy Kavanagh blasts home the hosts' second https://t.co/qD0hRoN5C8 pic.twitter.com/WIvRovyHFW
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) February 16, 2018
And then, two minutes later, Bohs struck again.
This time Rovers 'keeper Kevin Horgan would probably wish he had done things a little differently here. Not that it bothered Dan Casey who headed his second goal of the night.
83' Bohs 3-1 Rovers A third goal in 12 minutes and a second for Dan Casey. What a fightback for Bohemians who have surely sealed the points https://t.co/qD0hRoN5C8 pic.twitter.com/smJKgIq5RS
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) February 16, 2018
Not the start that Shamrock Rovers will have wanted as they seek to reduce the deficit between them and the leading pair of Dundalk and Cork City in recent seasons, Bohs can hardly have asked for a better opening night.
