Dundalk draw a blank against Galway
With the league title done and dusted, Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny made five changes to the starting line-up for the game against relegation threatened Galway United at Oriel Park, and it was the visitors who were the happier at the end with a point from a goalless draw.
They rode their luck at times, most notably with ten minutes remaining when Dundalk's Daryl Horgan, introduced as a substitute and put up against his brother Colm in the opposing ranks on the wing, hit the post with a shot that rebounded to safety.
But Galway held out to collect a crucial point in a relegation battle that still involves five clubs with just two games remaining.
Crucial win for Longford at Cork
Longford Town took a huge step to securing their Premier Division status as they moved five points clear of the relegation play off place after a 3-2 win against Cork City at Turner's Cross.
Two goals in as many minutes just before half time from David O'Sullivan and Stephen Rice put Town ahead at half time, and although Stephen Beattie equalised for Cork just after the hour, a goal from Kevin O'Connor six minutes from time secured three vital points for Town to move the Midlands side towards safety.
Pats eye Euro place but Drogs in relegation battle
St Patrick's Athletic moved to within two points of guaranteeing a UEFA Europa League place with a 2-1 win over Drogheda United, a result which in turn plunges the Louth side further into relegation trouble.
Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan scored the goals for Pats, while Mark Kinsella’s Drogheda side now occupy the relegation play off place and face a nervous last two games.
Derry safe but Sligo and Limerick deeper in trouble
Derry City secured their Premier Division status with a 2-0 win at Limerick, a result that keeps the home side rooted to the bottom of the table.
Goals by Mark Timlin and Barry McNamee in a seven minute spell just after half time earned victory for Paul Hegarty's side and Limerick now face what looks like a must win game against Shamrock Rovers at Markets Field next week.
Sligo Rovers' recent good form deserted them as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Bohemians, who kept up their outside chance of a Europa League place. First-half goals from Ismahil Akinade and Anto Murphy saw Bohs to victory, while only goal difference separates Sligo from Drogheda in the relegation play off places.
Results:
Premier Division: Bray Wanderers 2 Shamrock Rovers 2, Cork City 2 Longford Town 3, Dundalk 0 Galway United 0, Limerick 0 Derry City 2, Sligo Rovers 0 Bohemians 2, St. Patrick's Athletic 2 Drogheda United 1.
Division One: Cabinteely 1 Athlone Town 3, Finn Harps 4 Wexford Youths 1, Shelbourne 2 Cobh Ramblers 0, Waterford United 0 UCD 1.
