Bray Wanderers produced a devastating second-half performance to secure a significant victory over promotion rivals Longford Town. It also produced to be an important night for Drogheda United who fought back in the second-half to secure a 3-1 win
Bray Wanderers produced a devastating second-half performance to secure a significant victory over promotion rivals Longford Town.
It also produced to be an important night for Drogheda United who fought back in the second-half to secure a 3-1 win over UCD.
Bray Wanderers 3-0 Longford Town
Bray Wanderers moved onto 26 points at the top of the First Division thanks to a fantastic 3-0 win over Longford Town.
The 100 supporters in the Carlisle Grounds could sense the nervousness during the first-half with both sides well aware of the importance of three points.
It was a goalless first-half but the home side took just one minute to open the scoring after the break. Luka Lovic found a fantastic cross and Sean McEvoy was there to slot the ball home for the Seagulls to lead.
McEvoy scored his second of the night in the 63rd minute after great work from Ryan Graydon and he found McEvoy who poked home past Lee Stacey.
The Seagulls secured the points just five minutes later as Gary Shaw headed home a corner and the league leaders sailed towards another three points.
UCD AFC 1-3 Drogheda United
Drogheda United moved into second spot in the First Division table as they came back from behind to secure three points against UCD.
Both sides came into the game looking to improve their promotion chances with two games in four days in the First Division.
It was the Students who started the better team and deservedly went ahead through Colm Whelan's finish in the 17th minute.
Drogheda were just three minutes after the break as James Brown did well to keep the ball alive on the right and his near-post ball was expertly turned home by Mark Doyle to level.
The away side continued their second-half and took the lead in the 57th minute. It was Jordan Adeyemo who created the goal as he beat two defenders to find Doyle to score his second of the game.
The Students had the perfect chance to level the tie late on but David Odumosu produced a stunning save from Yoyo Mahdy's spot-kick to keep Drogheda ahead in the 86th minute.
Drogheda added a third with the last kick 0f the game as Brendan Bermingham smashed the ball home to secure a great night for the Drogs.
Shamrock Rovers II 0-2 Cabinteely
Cabinteely got back to winning ways with a late-show at Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers II.
It looked as though the points were going to be shared at Tallaght Stadium as the young Rovers more than matched their South Dublin rivals.
However, 13 minutes from time, the referee saw Alex Dunne handle the ball in the area and Kevin Knight stepped up to convert the penalty and put Cabo ahead.
Pat Devlin's side doubled their lead in the final minute of normal time as Conor Keeley headed home from Steven Kinsella's free-kick to secure the points. The win sees Cabinteely move back up to third position, three points off top spot.
Galway United 1-0 Wexford
The John Caulfield revolution continued as Galway United secured a narrow victory over now-bottom side Wexford.
The Tribesmen started really well and took the lead in the ninth minute. Shane Duggan found space and a wonderful cross for Enda Curran to head home to put Galway ahead.
It proved to be the only goal of the game as Galway moved up to sixth position in the table, just three points off the play-offs, a remarkable turnaround under new manager John Caulfield.
Athlone Town 2-1 Cobh Ramblers
Athlone Town moved off the bottom of the table as they came back from behind to secure their first league win of the season.
After a goalless first-half, it was Ramblers who took the lead in the 61st minute as Ben O'Riordan put the play-off hopefuls ahead.
However, the bottom side showed the same courage and fight from last weeks draw at Cabinteely after conceding, and equalised through Jack Reynolds two minutes later.
Athlone continued to show fantastic spirit and took the lead from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute as Ronan Manning put the home side ahead. Athlone held on for a fantastic victory with Shelbourne in the FAI Cup quarter-finals their reward.
