It might have been a little late in the season but Dundalk have finally arrived to the party with a comprehensive display ensuring they continue to the final four of this season's FAI Cup with a 4-1 victory at the expense of a 10-man Bohemians side who just ran out of steam at the end of a strange but successful season for the Dublin side.

The Town progress to face Athlone Town in the penultimate round of the competition as David McMillan netted twice between strikes from Michael Duffy and Nathan Oduwa at either end of this end to end cup tie.

Gary Rogers was also impressive in between the sticks for Dundalk, producing a wonderful triple save from Dan Casey and two efforts from Evan Ferguson which would have swung momentum back towards the home side at a pivotal time in the second half.

It was all just a little too much for Bohemians and despite drawing level shortly after Michael Duffy opened the scoring they weren't able to live with the firepower shown by last season's league title winners and only for some solid shot stopping from James Talbot it could have been an even bigger margin of victory by the final whistle.

The game was barely two minutes old when tricky winger Michael Duffy got on the end of a brilliant through ball from McMillan and finished to the back of the net past Talbot.

Just before the quarter hour mark a free kick from Bohemians wasn't dealt with by the Dundalk defence and when Andre Wright toe-poked it towards the goal and the waiting arms of Rogers, it was a trailing arm of Shiels which made the first contact. Referee Robert Harvey had no hesitation and pointed to the spot where Wright dispatched the penalty to the back of the net to level matters, probably deservedly on the balance of play.

On 33 minutes Michael Duffy was using his pace to expose some weakness in the Bohemians defence, his first run was intercepted but only half cleared and when the ball came back in a flick from the Derry man saw him skip clear, a clumsy challenge into his back from Keith Buckley ended with Harvey's outstretched arm in the direction of the penalty spot.

David McMillan stepped up and stared down Talbot as he sank a rocket into the roof of the net without giving Talbot a hope of saving the powerful strike despite going the correct way and getting the faintest touches to the ball.

The goal of the game arrived just two minutes later when a move starting in the Dundalk defence found it's way via one and two touches through Gartland, Boyle, & Cleary before he played a quick one two with Shiels to create the opportunity to put Cameron Dummigan free in the box.

You'd need VAR to decide whether the ball had crossed the line before Dummigan made contact and crossed for a glancing header at the near post from McMillan to double the lead with his sixth strike of the season. The officials showed no interest in the protests and the visitors reel away celebrating much to the obvious frustration of the Bohs defenders.

The second half was a tighter affair with both sides using their benches to give players opportunities to showcase their abilities with the big decisions of contracts to be decided in the coming weeks in both clubs.

Both keepers put their hands up for consideration with some fine stops, reflex saves and a confidence and composure that in Rogers' case at least, questions the decision to drop him from the starting line up in their last European tie.

There was to be one final score though and six minutes from time it went the way of that overall momentum of the game. Bohemians right back Michael Barker earned himself a rest when he saw yellow for the second time for a late challenge on Dundalk captain Chris Shiels.

It was Shiels himself that hit a speculative ball into the space left by Barker's absence to the ever ready Duffy who squared the ball for Nathan Oduwa to finish to the back of the net with his first touch after entering the fray a minute earlier. His first goal for Dundalk having impressed with his direct style in some of the Europa League ties so far.

Despite the victory and passage through to the Semi Final in Athlone next weekend, Dundalk have bigger issues to answer in the next few weeks. European football secured already they're biggest challenge in tying down their talented squad to deals to keep them at Oriel Park as rumours intensify of a number of their star players seeking opportunities in other locations for 2021 and beyond.

With 18 players and their interim manager out of contract at the end of this campaign it promises to be an important few months for the club if they are to continue their place in the upper echelons of the game in this country.

Photo Credit: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo