SHAMROCK ROVERS MOVED back to the top of the Airtricity League on Good Friday, capitalising on Sligo Rovers and Derry City both dropping points.
The Hoops made hard work of their 3-1 win over UCD at Tallaght though because up until the 69th minute they had been held scoreless by the plucky Students.
Karl Sheppard eventually eased the tension, his low driven effort from a Billy Dennehy cross putting the champions into the ascendancy.
Ronan Finn doubled soon after, and despite an 82nd minute goal from Robbie Benson to half the deficit, Rovers were guaranteed the win thanks to a Mick Leahy own goal seconds later.
Advertisement
Bray Wanderers moved into second place with another win as two early goals saw Galway United suffer their fifth defeat of the season. Conor Murphy got the Seagulls off to a great start when he netted in the 3rd minute while Derek Prendergast also scored inside the opening ten.
Sligo could have joined Rovers in joint first position but Bohemians came from behind to pick up another three points on the road at The Showgrounds with a typical smash-and-grab win in front of a lively travelling support.
Eoin Doyle did put the westerners into a promising position with his first-half strike but Bohs were clinical after the break. They created only a couple of noteworthy chances but both resulted in goals from Stephen Traynor and Anto Flood, keeping Pat Fenlon’s side within two points of their bitter rivals Rovers.
Derry could also have kept up with the Hoops but they were held by St Patrick’s Athletic at home. After a scoreless first half in which the Candystripes had a better share of the ball, the home side finally broke the St Pats’ rearguard down, James McLean plundering home.
At that juncture Derry were on top of the table in-running – only because the Shamrock Rovers game kicked off 15 minutes later – but even then they didn’t stay ahead of the Inchicore side for long, with Pats levelling from the spot. Eddie McCallion brought down Daryl Kavanagh and Danny North converted the penalty 11 minutes from time to assure a share of the spoils.
The final Premier Division game of the weekend saw Dundalk come out on top in the first Louth derby of the season at Hunky Dorys Park. Dinny Corcoran did put winless Drogheda United onto a solid footing with a 24th minute goal, but Ian Foster’s side were full value for the win after coming from behind in impressive fashion.
Colin Hawkins squared the game midway through the second half before Daniel Kearns capped off another brisk performance on the wing with the winner six minutes from time to keep the Lilywhites six points off the top.
Rebel rout
Although Shelbourne had defeated Waterford United last Thursday, Cork City returned to the top of the First Division with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Salthill Devon. It means the Leesiders have now scored ten times in 180 minutes of football and despite having a bye next week, they look very strong in every department.
Monaghan United are hot in pursuit of them though, Roddy Collins’ side still unbeaten after a 2-1 win at home to Wexford Youths.
Elsewhere, Athlone Town won again at home with a narrow triumph over Mervue United, while James Gallagher became the first managerial casualty of 2011 when Finn Harps sacked the former ‘keeper after their third defeat in eight days against Longford Town.
Seagulls continue to soar with win over Galway
SHAMROCK ROVERS MOVED back to the top of the Airtricity League on Good Friday, capitalising on Sligo Rovers and Derry City both dropping points.
The Hoops made hard work of their 3-1 win over UCD at Tallaght though because up until the 69th minute they had been held scoreless by the plucky Students.
Karl Sheppard eventually eased the tension, his low driven effort from a Billy Dennehy cross putting the champions into the ascendancy.
Ronan Finn doubled soon after, and despite an 82nd minute goal from Robbie Benson to half the deficit, Rovers were guaranteed the win thanks to a Mick Leahy own goal seconds later.
Bray Wanderers moved into second place with another win as two early goals saw Galway United suffer their fifth defeat of the season. Conor Murphy got the Seagulls off to a great start when he netted in the 3rd minute while Derek Prendergast also scored inside the opening ten.
Sligo could have joined Rovers in joint first position but Bohemians came from behind to pick up another three points on the road at The Showgrounds with a typical smash-and-grab win in front of a lively travelling support.
Eoin Doyle did put the westerners into a promising position with his first-half strike but Bohs were clinical after the break. They created only a couple of noteworthy chances but both resulted in goals from Stephen Traynor and Anto Flood, keeping Pat Fenlon’s side within two points of their bitter rivals Rovers.
Derry could also have kept up with the Hoops but they were held by St Patrick’s Athletic at home. After a scoreless first half in which the Candystripes had a better share of the ball, the home side finally broke the St Pats’ rearguard down, James McLean plundering home.
At that juncture Derry were on top of the table in-running – only because the Shamrock Rovers game kicked off 15 minutes later – but even then they didn’t stay ahead of the Inchicore side for long, with Pats levelling from the spot. Eddie McCallion brought down Daryl Kavanagh and Danny North converted the penalty 11 minutes from time to assure a share of the spoils.
The final Premier Division game of the weekend saw Dundalk come out on top in the first Louth derby of the season at Hunky Dorys Park. Dinny Corcoran did put winless Drogheda United onto a solid footing with a 24th minute goal, but Ian Foster’s side were full value for the win after coming from behind in impressive fashion.
Colin Hawkins squared the game midway through the second half before Daniel Kearns capped off another brisk performance on the wing with the winner six minutes from time to keep the Lilywhites six points off the top.
Rebel rout
Although Shelbourne had defeated Waterford United last Thursday, Cork City returned to the top of the First Division with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Salthill Devon. It means the Leesiders have now scored ten times in 180 minutes of football and despite having a bye next week, they look very strong in every department.
Monaghan United are hot in pursuit of them though, Roddy Collins’ side still unbeaten after a 2-1 win at home to Wexford Youths.
Elsewhere, Athlone Town won again at home with a narrow triumph over Mervue United, while James Gallagher became the first managerial casualty of 2011 when Finn Harps sacked the former ‘keeper after their third defeat in eight days against Longford Town.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Airtricity League Bray Wanderers League of Ireland Local Heroes