A Karl Sheppard goal against former club Galway United kept Shamrock Rovers on top of the table, while Derry City earned an impressive away win over Bohs to climb into second.
Results:
Bohemians 0-2 Derry City
Dundalk 0-0 Bray Wanderers
Galway United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
St. Patrick’s Athletic 3-0 Drogheda United
UCD 2-1 Sligo Rovers
A Karl Sheppard goal after seven minutes was enough to give Shamrock Rovers a hard earned win over Galway United at Terryland Park. Sheppard headed home a Gary McCabe cross to give the Hoops the advantage early on, and despite a spirited fightback from Sean Connor’s side, the visitors held on to claim three points which keeps them ahead of Derry City at the top of the table.
The Candystripes overtook Bray Wanderers in the table with an impressive away win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park. Bohs should have been in front after dominating the opening 45 minutes, but Daniel Lafferty put Derry ahead on the stroke of half time shortly after Keith Buckley had been sent off for the hosts, a decision which prompted a furious reaction from Pat Fenlon that resulted in his dismissal to the stands.
Stephen Kenny’s side made the most of the extra man and doubled their lead shortly after the break through James McLean, who finished strongly after Eamon Zayed had set him up in the box. The visitors held on to that advantage until the finish, extending what has been an excellent start to the season for the newly promoted side.
Bray Wanderers dropped one place to third in the table after a goalless draw with Dundalk at Oriel Park. Dundalk’s Peter Cherrie and Bray’s Matt Gregg had plenty of saves to make at both ends, but neither side could break the deadlock and a point was a fair result in the end.
Drogheda United remain without a win after nine games of the season after being thumped by St. Pat’s at Richmond Park. Daryl Kavanagh struck twice, either side of a Daniel North effort, to seal a comfortable win for Pete Mahon’s side, which lifted them above Dundalk into sixth place in the table.
The most surprising result of the night was at the Belfield Bowl, where a struggling UCD side were full value for their victory over title hopefuls Sligo Rovers. The Students were by far the better side and were two goals in front by the hour mark, with Robbie Benson and Graham Rusk getting on the scoresheet.
UCD coped comfortably with what an out of sorts Rovers side had to offer, but they were made to sweat for their victory when Matthew Blinkhorn pulled one back for Sligo with seven minutes remaining. The hosts held on for their second victory of the season, however, with Sligo missing out on the opportunity to overtake Bohemians and Bray above them in the table.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
