Pat Fenlon was on hand to watch a dull Dublin derby with St. Pat’s end in a stalemate, while Shamrock Rovers remain on top of the pile after trouncing Drogheda United at Hunky Dorys Park.
Drogheda United 0-4 Shamrock Rovers
Champions Shamrock Rovers cemented their position at the top of the Airtricity League table with a resounding victory over lowly Drogheda United at Hunky Dorys Park.
Rovers were all over the hosts at the start and it was no surprise when Gary Twigg headed them in front after 28 minutes after Billy Dennehy had delivered a searching ball from the right wing.
Ciaran Kilduff made it two for the Hoops five minutes after the break with a tap in from close range after efforts from Gary McCabe and Dennehy had come off the woodwork in the build up.
Twigg grabbed his second after 56 minutes with an easy finish from close range after Dan Murray had flicked on a Dennehy corner across goal and Dennehy himself completed the rout 17 minutes from time when he fired home a cross from Pat Sullivan to put Drogs out of their misery.
The win sees Rovers maintain their three point lead at the top of the table, while Drogheda remain rooted to the bottom after picking up a solitary point in their opening five games.
Galway United 0-1 Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers remain within touching distance of Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table after an impressive victory over Connacht rivals Galway United at Terryland Park.
Fresh from scoring a brace against Drogheda last week, it was John Dillon that made the difference once again with the only goal of the game after half an hour.
Ex-Galway United player John Russell crossed for Dillon and the in-form midfielder made no mistake from 14 yards.
Despite the tight margin of victory, Sligo always looked like they would come out on top and nearly doubled their lead after 65 minutes when Dillon’s effort rebounded off the post to safety.
The Bit O’Red are now out on their own in second place on ten points, while Galway lie in eighth place, three points ahead of bottom side Drogheda United.
St. Patrick’s Athletic 0-0 Bohemians
The Dublin derby between St. Pat’s and Bohs at Richmond Park failed to ignite in what could well be Pat Fenlon’s last game in charge of the Gypsies.
Fenlon’s future has been the subject of much speculation all week, but he was in the dugout and watched his side cling on to a point thanks to a last minute penalty save by Barry Murphy from Paul Crowley’s spot-kick.
Derek Doyle had a few chances for Pat’s, who were the stronger outfit in the first half, while Steven Traynor had a chance to put Bohs ahead against the run of play in the second period.
Pat’s were given a golden opportunity to claim all three points when Ger O’Brien took down substitute Shane McFaul in the dying seconds, but ‘keeper Murphy proved to be the hero on the night and both sides had to be content with a share of the spoils.
Bray Wanderers 1-2 Derry City
James McLean’s header 15 minutes from time sealed a win for Derry City which sees them move up to third place in the table.
Substitute Stephen McLaughlin did well to whip in a cross from the right and McLean rose highest to guide the ball home from close range and settle the game at the Carlisle Grounds.
Stephen Kenny’s side took the lead 22 minutes in with another header; Daniel Lafferty evaded the attentions of the Bray defence to head Kevin Deery’s cross to the back of the net.
Bray equalised five minutes before half time through winger Jake Kelly, who converted from four yards after Dane Massey’s original effort fell into his path.
Conditions didn’t help the quality of the proceedings but both sides had chances until McLean’s effort made the game safe for the Candystripes late on.
Dundalk 3-1 UCD
Ross Gaynor, Daniel Kearns and Jason Byrne were all on the mark as Dundalk comfortably defeated UCD at Oriel Park.
Gaynor put the hosts in front three minutes before the break with a clever finish past Ger Barron after being fed by Kearns on the left wing.
Kearns made it two three minutes later; after the winger’s original effort from a free kick was palmed away by Barron, Jason Byrne hit the post and the ball fell to Mark Quigley, who supplied Kearns to fire the ball to the net through a crowded penalty area.
UCD threatened to make a game of it when Paul Corry scored a fine free-kick with just over 20 minutes to go, but veteran striker Byrne made sure of the points for Dundalk after 71 minutes with a close range finish.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
