Tonight in the Premier Division, Derry City drew 0-0 at home to bottom club, Sligo Rovers. In the First Division, Bray Wanderers and Home Farm Fingal also played out a draw but had 2 goals apiece. Home Farm replied twice as Wanderers first went ahead through Jason Byrne and then Keiran 'Tarzan' O'Brien. Cobh Ramblers defeated Limerick FC 2-1 while Kilkenny beat Longford by the same scoreline and Monaghan and St Francis were scoreless.
Derry have now stretched their unbeaten league run to ten games as they strive for Europe. "If we can collect six points over the next four days we'll be favourites to finish third," said boss Kevin Mahon earlier. Mahon sees Cork as their chief rivals for that UEFA Cup spot. Second from bottom Sligo's injury problems were eased for the clash with Wes Charles, Padraig Moran and Ian Rossiter all returning, but Ian Lynch was banned, and the result was not what they had hoped for as they attempt to acoid the drop.
Shamrock Rovers are at home to Cork City at 3pm tomorrow.
Shelbourne won the League Championship last night with a 2-0 win at Waterford United. Richie Baker put the Dubliners two up on the stroke of half time, after Stephen Geoghegan had given them the lead on 13 minutes. Neither side could break each other down in the second half, leaving Shelbourne to breeze to the title with weeks to spare.
Second placed Bohemians lost 2-1 at home to UCD, meaning the students keep their chances of a European place alive. Ken Kilmurray scored first after 3 minutes, 12 minutes later it was 2-0 to UCD when Mick O'Byrne found the net. The 2-goal gap lasted only 4 minutes when Gareth O'Connor struck for Bohs, but Roddy Collin's team couldn't find the equaliser.
St Patrick's Athletic moved into third spot with a 3-0 win at Drogheda United. The goals came from Trevor Molloy, Ger McCarthy and Robbie McGuinness. The home side now look destined for the second automatic drop-spot.
Elsewhere Finn Harps moved a significant step closer to guaranteeing their top flight survival, while severely denting the survival prospects of fellow strugglers, Galway United. The Donegal outfit won out 4-0. In the First Division, Dundalk stay third after a scoreless draw at improving Athlone.
In other news, in the Womens Under-18's European Championships, Spain beat the Republic of Ireland 4-1 in their last match. Niamh Connolly scored the Irish goal.
