DERRY CITY CLOSED the gap on league leaders Sligo Rovers to two points with a convincing 4-0 win over Bohemians in the early kick-off at Dalymount Park.
Patrick McEleney put the Candytripes in front with a cracking strike from outside the box on 14 minutes and Michael Rafter was clinical with his finish to add a second 12 minutes later.
Derry showed no signs of missing their injured top scorer Rory Patterson, and put the result beyond doubt with a further two goals in the 75th and 78th minutes – Ryan McBride scoring with a header before Barry McNamee fired past Dean Delany.
Shamrock Rovers drew their fifth league game on the bounce after falling behind to Drogheda early on at Tallaght Stadium.
The match was only 13 minutes old when Paul O’Conor got on the end of a cross to glance past Richard Brush in the Rovers goal but Ronan Finn struck a low drive into the bottom corner on 24 minutes.
At Oriel Park, Dundalk were unable to record their first Premier Division home win of the season and had to come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Limerick.
Belgian striker Axel Bossekota put the away side in front four minutes before half-time and Limerick looked to be heading for victory when Shaun Kelly doubled their advantage on 68 minutes.
However, Dane Massey headed home from a corner minutes later and fellow defender John Sullivan bagged an equaliser with 13 minutes on the clock.
Cork were 2-1 winners of bottom-placed UCD thanks to Shane Duggan’s last minute strike at Turner’s Cross.
David McMillan had put the Students in front on 15 minutes but Daryl Kavanagh restored parity right before the half-time whistle.
McMillan then spurned the chance to put UCD in the driving seat after he was brought down by Mark McNulty as the Cork goalkeeper made up for the mistake by guessing right to save the spot-kick and Duggan struck late to snatch all three points.
In the night’s other Premier Division fixture, Chris Forrester’s goal on 25 minutes was the difference as St Patrick’s Athletic made it two consecutive wins by seeing off Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
It was an excellent finish from the 20-year-old, who lofted the ball over the head of Darren Quigley after Kenny Browne’s pass.
The First Division saw Waterford United defeat Athlone Town 1-0 with David Breen scoring the decisive goal on 78 minutes, while Michael O’Shea and Jean Biansumba were on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw between Salthill Devon and Cobh Ramblers and it finished scoreless between Finn Harps and Wexford Youths.
Tonight’s results:
Premier Division
- Bohemians 0 Derry City 4
- Bray Wanderers 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 1
- Cork City 2 UCD 1
- Dundalk 2 Limerick 2
- Shamrock Rovers 1 Drogheda United 1
First Division
- Salthill Devon 1 Cobh Ramblers 1
- Waterford United 1 Athlone Town 0
- Finn Harps 0 Wexford Youths 0
