SLIGO ROVERS REMAIN top of the Airtricity League Premier Division tonight thanks to a Danny North goal on Leeside.
The striker took advantage of a rare Dan Murray error to score the only goal of the game against a struggling Cork City at Turner’s Cross.
Davin O’Neill had hit the post for the home side in the first half but there was little goal-mouth action throughout.
Elsewhere, Sligo’s main title rivals, Shamrock Rovers, fought back from 2-0 down to grab another unlikely point away to Bray. Kieran Waters struck twice for the Seagulls in the first half before the almost inevitable rally from the champions. Ronan Finn pulled one back for the visitors from a Daryl Kavanagh assist before — who else? — Gary Twigg slotted home for the equaliser. And after some late pressure failed to produce a winner, they’re now three points adrift.
Former Gypsies manager Roddy Collins will have enjoyed his return to Dalymount Park this evening, meanwhile. Having lost 6-0 last time out to Cork City, he took his Monaghan side to Phibsboro.
And the newly-promoted side won out 2-1 despite playing virtually the entire game with 10 men; Jason Marks dispatched a dramatic, late winner 80-odd minutes after goalkeeper Chris Bennion was dismissed for bringing down Keith Ward, who was through on goal.
Dundalk had a big win in Derry, beating the hosts 2-1. There was some late drama here too however as referee Damien Hancock awarded the Candystripes a penalty only for his assistant to over-rule it and the a free-in decided upon instead. Earlier, Michael Rafter and Shane O’Neill had put the Lilywhites 2-0 up before Ruaidhri Higgin pulled one back after 84 minutes and then that injury-time confusion about the spotter.
Drogheda’s Brian Gannon celebrates scoring the first goal of the game Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Things are pretty Hunky Dory at the old United Park these days. Tonight home fans were treated to another great game with Drogheda beating shels 3-1 thanks to strikes from Brian Gannon, Ryan Brennan and Peter Hynes. The Tolka Park outfit got the score-sheet through a Philip Hughes penalty. Stephen Paisley was sent off for a professional foul.
St Pat’s remain in fourth behind Drogs after a relatively routine victory over UCD at Richmond Park. First Christy Fagan dispatched past Students’ ‘keeper Mark McGinley before Greg Bolger finished off another impressive run from man of the moment, Chris Forrester.
In the First Division, Waterford United ran out 4-0 winners over Wexford Youths and Athlone Town scored the only goal of their game at SD Galway.
- Premier Division: Bohemians 1 Monaghan United 2, Bray Wanderers 2 Shamrock Rovers 2, Cork City 0 Sligo Rovers 1, Drogheda United 3 Shelbourne 1. Derry City 1 Dundalk 2, St Pat’s 2 UCD 0 First Division: Waterford united 4 Wexford Youths 0, SD Galway 0 Athlone Town 1
