There were two Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures played on Friday evening. Relegation threatened sides Finn Harps and UCD played host to Derry City and Waterford respectively. The Donegal side scored the only goal for victory over the ‘Candystripes’ while the ‘Students’ went down to a two one defeat. The basement duo are in an intriguing contest at the foot of the league table with the bottom side set for automatic relegation while the ninth placed team will have the opportunity of survival through the play-offs.
Leaders Dundalk took on St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park on Saturday afternoon where John Mountney scored the only goal seven minutes after the break to extend the ‘Lilywhites’ lead at the summit. Later that evening, the eirSport cameras brought live coverage from the Showgrounds where third place Bohemian played out a one all draw with their hosts Sligo Rovers.
Turner’s Cross hosted the Sunday afternoon meeting of Cork City and Shamrock Rovers which ended in a one all draw.
The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium was the venue for the Monday night meeting of Derry City and Waterford which the hosts won by two goals to nil.
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Dundalk 25 18 5 2 47 13 34 59
Shamrock Rovers 26 16 4 6 43 16 27 52
Bohemian 27 13 7 7 31 21 10 46
Derry City 27 11 10 6 41 25 16 43
St Patrick’s Athletic 27 10 7 10 21 26 -5 37
Sligo Rovers 27 7 11 9 26 34 -8 32
Waterford 25 7 6 12 30 37 -7 27
Cork City 25 6 9 10 19 29 -10 27
Finn Harps 27 5 5 17 23 50 -27 20
UCD 25 5 2 18 18 47 -29 17
With just six sets of fixtures remaining, the Airtricity League First Division enters the final straight with Shelbourne leading the way. The ‘Reds’ defeated bottom side Wexford by five goals to two in Tolka Park on Friday evening to consolidate their position. Second place Drogheda United were held to a scoreless draw by Cabinteely in United Park with both sides battling for the play-off positions. Bray Wanderers defeated visitors Athlone Town by three goals to nil and Limerick suffered a four three defeat at home to Cobh Ramblers.
Longford Town maintained their promotion challenge with a four nil victory over City Calling Stadium visitors Galway United on Saturday evening.
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Shelbourne 22 16 2 4 38 17 21 50
Drogheda United 22 13 3 6 46 28 18 42
Longford Town 22 13 3 6 30 17 13 42
Cabinteely 22 11 7 4 30 24 6 40
Bray Wanderers 22 11 2 9 30 20 10 35
Limerick 22 9 5 8 26 26 – 32
Cobh Ramblers 22 7 5 10 31 36 -5 26
Athlone Town 22 5 3 14 26 48 -22 18
Galway United 22 4 3 15 21 35 -14 15
Wexford 22 2 5 16 19 46 -27 11