The wheels have started to come off for Shamrock Rovers as they suffered their third defeat in their last four league games. Following on from the losses against Bohemian FC and Dundalk they were beaten 2-1 by Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds. Daryl Fordyce and Jack Keaney scored the goals for Sligo both of which were absolute peaches. Aaron Greene scored for Shamrock.
Champions Dundalk are now three points behind with a game in hand despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Derry City in Oriel Park. Pat Hoban scored both goals for the home side before being sent off with eight minutes left in the game. Darren Cole and Eoghan Stokes scored for Derry. A point behind Dundalk are Bohs.
They were beaten 1-0 in Dalymount Park by Cork City with Conor McCarthy getting the game’s only goal. This was Cork’s first game since the departure of their manager John Caulfield. John Cotter has been appointed as caretaker manager. Caulfield won the league and the FAI Cup twice in his time in charge.
After a bright start St. Patrick’s Athletic have started to fade in recent weeks. This trend continued at the weekend as they were beaten 3-0 in Richmond Park by Waterford FC. Ismahil Akinade, Zach Elbouzedi, and Aaron Drinan got the goals for the visitors. The most notable result of the weekend came in Finn Park.
Finn Harps recorded their first win of the season as they beat UCD 3-0. Caolan McAleer scored two with Nathan Boyle getting the other. That win means that while Harps remain bottom, they have now closed to within three points of UCD.
Longford Town and Cabinteely remain the top two in the First Division. A goal from Aaron Dobbs gave Longford a 1-0 win against Drogheda United in United Park. Cabinteely won by the same score against Shelbourne in Stradbrook. Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters was their scorer.
Limerick FC who are the reported subject of a takeover bid also won 1-0. Shaun Kelly with an 83rd-minute winner against Bray Wanderers in the Markets Field. Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers played out a 1-1 draw in the Athlone Town Stadium. Gavin Kearney scored for Athlone and Jaze Kabia for Cobh.
Galway United recorded their first home win of the season by beaten Wexford FC 2-0 in Eamon Deacy Park. Conor Barry got their first and Maurice Nugent their second. That result also lifted Galway off the bottom of the table as they leapfrogged Wexford.
