Bohemians 2 - 1 Derry City
93 minutes into last Friday night’s match between Bohs & Derry, the visitors almost had a vital 3 points secured, in a game bookended by goals. Entering stoppage time, a Bohemians draw seemed unlikely, nevermind a home win. James Akintunde put Derry a goal up with less than 2 minutes played, after a beautiful through ball from Walter Figueira. The following 88 minutes proved a little mundane, with few chances for both sides. Derry were heading for victory before Ross Tierney was brought down inside the box on 93 minutes. Keith Ward made no mistake from the spot. Bohs then sealed a most unlikely win 90 seconds later as Andre Wright made amends for his earlier error and fired home from 6 yards after a scramble. The result sees Bohs remain in 2nd place, while Derry sit in 7th, 3 points above the relegation places.
Dundalk 0 - 4 Shamrock Rovers
Jack Byrne shined in Oriel Park on Monday night, as he set out his stall in front of Stephen Kenny who was in attendance as Rovers placed one hand on their first title in 9 years. Dundalk captain Chris Shields was the only player retained from the side that beat Sheriff Tiraspol last week, as Filippo Giovagnoli sought to rest as many players as possible ahead of their possible €3 million Europa League qualifier next Thursday night. It was business as usual for Rovers however, who sealed the 3 points with 3 first half goals in 8 minutes from Byrne, McMillan & McEneff. Jack Byrne got his second with an unbelievable finish after rounding the keeper, needle through a haystack type stuff. Rovers remain 8 points clear at the top, and while Dundalk’s 26 game winning streak at home came to an end, all eyes are focused on Thursday where they face KI Klaksvik at the Aviva. A win would hand the Lillywhite's a €3 million cheque, and their first Europa League group stage place since 2016-17.
St. Patrick’s Athletic 2 - 0 Shelbourne
Chris Forrester’s 16th minute screamer sent St. Pat’s on their way to victory on Saturday night, as The Saints ended their 6 game scoreless streak. Both Dublin sides were just above the relegation zone coming into the game, and both needed a win to take off some pressure coming into the final stages of the season. Pat’s went two goals up on 55 minutes and saw out the remainder of the game comfortably. Pat’s find themselves now 4 points off 3rd place, and a much coveted Europa league place. If they can improve their form from here on in, and pick up wins versus Cork and Finn Harps, they may just leapfrog Waterford & Dundalk.
Waterford 1 - 0 Sligo Rovers
Like St.Pat’s, Waterford also took a huge step toward a 3rd place finish on Saturday night, when a super Matthew Smith strike sealed 3 points. After a 6-1 thrashing by the champions-in-waiting, Smith’s goal on 9 minutes gave Fran Rockett his first win as Waterford manager, following the departure of John Sheridan to Wigan. Brian Murphy & Ronan Coughlan went close for the visitors as they sought an equalizer. However Waterford, who went close through Will Fitzgerald in the 2nd half, managed the pressure well and saw out victory in the Waterford RSC.
Finn Harps 1 - Cork City
Both teams really needed a win last Sunday night, and neither were probably satisfied with a draw, as Cork City & Finn Harps remain in the bottom two. Having both lost 7 coming into the game, Cork City opened the scoring through Dylan McGlade on 60 minutes. A faint cheer could be heard from the handful of supporters who made the 400km trip to watch through a steel fence. Whoever says the League of Ireland has no support, or passion, I urge you to show them the picture above. Unfortunately for the visiting spectators, Harps levelled through Raffaele Cretaro with a quarter of an hour remaining. Finn Harps remain 9th on 10 points, 1 ahead of 1oth places Cork who have a game in hand. If either side don't pick up a win in the next game or two, they may find themselves playing 1st division football next year.
By Seán O'Connor.
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