LEAGUE leaders Dundalk maintained their six point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by nearest rivals Cork City at Oriel Park on Sunday evening.
A victory for the Lilywhites would have dealt a significant blow to the Leesiders’ title hopes, but a battling performance from John Caulfield’s side earned them a deserved share of the points.
The evening began well for Dundalk, as they were ahead inside 11 minutes, thanks to a Richie Towell penalty.
The spot kick was awarded after Brian Gartland was fouled by City’s Alan Bennett as he chased a Darren Meenan cross, and Towell once again demonstrated his prowess from 12 yards by firing home his 14th league goal of the season.
The visitors had an escape when David McMillan headed just wide from a Darren Meenan free kick, but as the half wore on they began to enjoy more possession and territory, and drew level eight minutes from half time.
The Dundalk defence failed to deal with Kevin O’Connor’s free kick from the right and Mark O’Sullivan rose to power a header past Gary Rogers for the equaliser.
An excellent opening half set high expectations for more of the same after the break, but the second 45 minutes failed to match the first, with both sides largely cancelling one another out.
The best chance of the half arrived five minutes from the end, when Dundalk skipper Stephen O’Donnell headed wide from a John Mountney cross.
The result means that Lilywhites continue their excellent run of league form against City, with Stephen Kenny’s side having won six and drawn two of the previous eight games between the sides, with Sunday’s point being the first that City have taken at Oriel Park in two seasons.
In another game played on Sunday, Shamrock Rovers were never in trouble against bottom of the table Limerick, winning 4-1 at the Tallaght Stadium to maintain their third place position.
A 30 yard screamer from Brandon Miele gave the Hoops a half time lead, and Conor Kenna headed home Rovers' second on 53 minutes.
Limerick pulled a goal back through Ian Turner, who was subbed moments later, but within a couple of minutes Patrick Cregg restored the two goal advantage when he rifled in a third after Danny North's shot was parried by the keeper.
Brandon Miele wrapped up the points, and a victory that was a lot more convincing than the score suggests, with his second of the afternoon eight minutes from time, leaving Limerick to reflect that they have now equalled an unenviable Premier Division record of 21 games without a win from the start of a season, set originally by Waterford United in 2006.
St Patrick's Athletic kept up their hopes of a European place, and ensured Sligo Rovers remain in the relegation play-off position, with a 3-0 victory over the Bit O’Red at the Showgrounds on Friday night.
Here's how the @SSEAirtricityLg tables looks following the weekend's games: pic.twitter.com/8vKr4V1q73
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The game was goalless until just after the hour mark, but the deadlock was broken when a Chris Forrester shot from the edge of the box took a deflection on its way into the net.
Saints doubled their lead a few minutes later when Jamie McGrath collected a long ball, cut inside his marker and fired in a shot to beat keeper Richard Brush.
Forrester claimed his second goal of the evening when Saints hit on the break, and Conan Byrne rounded keeper Brush to set up Forrester for an easy tap into an empty net.
Bohemians had the points wrapped up early on in their game against Derry City at Dalymount Park, scoring four times in the opening 20 minutes of a game they eventually won 4-2.
Goals from Derek Prendergast, Keith Buckley, Ismahil Akinade and Robbie Creevy had seemingly ended the game as a contest before the half way mark in the first half, but to Derry’s credit they didn’t throw in the towel, and before half time Cillian Morrison hit the bar and Barry McNamee spurned a great chance to get on the scoresheet.
Derry continued to press after the break, and Mark Timlin pulled a goal back in the 48th minute with a 20 yarder.
Timlin then added a second 14 minutes from time with another low shot, but Bohs held on for a victory that was tainted somewhat by a poor second half display.
Bray Wanderers leapfrogged over Galway United with a 1-0 win over the Tribesmen at Eammon Deacy Park.
A Graham Kelly penalty miss in the fourth minute looked like it was going to be costly for Bray, but they grabbed the points courtesy of a late own goal from Galway’s Sam Oji, who turned the ball into his own net after connecting with a David Casssidy cross.
Controversy ensued momentarily as the goal was initially flagged for offside, before eventually being given after consultation between the officials.
The mid-table clash between Longford Town and Drogheda United ended in a 1-1 draw at the City Calling Stadium.
Kaleem Simon opened the scoring for Town early on, picking a Mark Salmon flick to finish from close range, but Lee Duffy fired home an equaliser for the visitors midway through the second half.
In the First Division, the top two both lost as the chasing pack closed the gap at the top of the table.
Finn Harps remain top despite falling to a 1-0 defeat at UCD, Robbie Benson’s fine finish on 64 minutes securing the points for the students, who remain in fourth place.
Athlone Town kept their faint hopes of a promotion play off place alive with a 3-1 win over second placed Wexford Youths at Lissywoollen.
Daniel Purdy's impact on the game was notable for the 17 minutes he spent on the field, putting Athlone ahead in the 9th minute before being red carded eight minutes later.
Gavin Boyne added a second for Athlone three minutes later and Philly Gorman added a third eight minutes before the break. Youths' leading scorer Danny Furlong grabbed a second half consolation for his side in the second half, his 17th goal of the season.
Shelbourne stay in third place, but had to rely on two late goals from substitute Mark Sandford to see them through to a 2-1 win at Waterford United, and in the other game Cobh Ramblers won 2-1 against Cabinteely at St Colman's Park.
Results:
Premier Division – Bohemians 4 Derry City 2, Dundalk 1 Cork City 1, Galway United 0 Bray Wanderers 1, Longford Town 1 Drogheda United 1, Shamrock Rovers 4 Limerick 1, Sligo Rovers 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 3.
Division One – Athlone Town 3 Wexford Youths 1, Cobh Ramblers 2 Cabinteely 1, UCD 1 Finn Harps 0, Waterford United 1 Shelbourne 2.
