With a grand stretch in the evenings, the summer football of the League of Ireland is here to keep you occupied of a Friday night
By Adrian Collins
Bohemains v Derry City
Derry continued their strong start to the season by beating Bohemians with a 0-4 win, although the scoreline perhaps doesn’t reflect the game.
The away side took the lead through a brilliant strike from Derry’s Patrick McEleney after just 14 minutes, which put the home side on the back foot despite seeming to have a control of the game up to that point.
That goal clearly shook Bohs, and they conceded another just over ten minutes later when Michael rafter added to Derry’s lead.
Even Micheal D. Higgins made time in his Friday evening to attend this game, and he was rewarded for his venture to Dalymount with a few more goals after the break.
In the second half, although they were in control of possession, they failed to do anything particularly meaningful with it and were well and truly killed off in the space of a few minutes when Derry scored twice through Ryan McBride and Barry McNamee in the 75th and 78th minutes respectively.
Derry now sit second, just two points behind league leaders Sligo Rovers.
Dundalk v Limerick FC
Although Dundalk haven’t won at home yet this season, they certainly will see this as a point gained as they were 0-2 down to the visitors at one stage in the game.
Limerick took the lead through Axel Bossekota who scored right before the break, as he hit a nice finish into the bottom corner.
They added to their lead after Danny Galbraith’s shot came back off the post for Shaun Kelly to finish from close range.
Dundalk’s response to what could have been a huge set back was immediate, and they scored just three minutes later through Dane Massey, who finished off a great cross from John Dillon.
The momentum totally shifted and Tiernan Mulvenna grabbed an equaliser after a corner was kept alive by John Sullivan, who hooked it back towards goal.
Both teams pushed for the win, but they ended up sharing the points at Oriel Park tonight.
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United
The spoils were shared as both teams scored in the first half of this game, but that wasn’t to say it wasn’t a spicy affair, as there was a total six yellow cards dished out by referee Graham Kelly.
The visitors took the lead at Tallaght Stadium through Paul O’Connor after a great cross from Shane Grimes gave him the task of finishing from close range, which he duly did.
Rovers responded well though, and after just over ten minutes they too found the net through Ronan Finn, and the scores stayed level into the half.
After the break, things got a little bit feisty, as both James Chambers and Stephen Rice were booked early in the half for Rovers, and Ryan Brennan picked up a card for his troubles too. Derek Foran got his name in the notebook too later in the half as frustration looked to be setting in on both sides.
Rovers went hell for leather in the closing minutes to try and get a winner, but Drogheda were able to hold off the onslaught and leave with a point.
Bray Wanderers v St. Patrick’s Athletic
A Chris Forrester goal was all that separated the sides at the Carlisle Grounds, giving St. Pat’s a well deserved three points.
Forrester scored in the 25th minute with a beautiful lob over Darren Quigley in goal, a finish that showed real quality from the midfielder.
Pat’s dominated possession, and Bray struggled to create any real opportunities in front of their home fans, which meant they slumped to their 4th loss of the season.
Cork City v U.C.D
Cork City beat the Students of U.C.D with goals from Daryl Kavanagh and a very late winner from Shane Duggan after they had fallen behind early.
David McMillan headed home nicely for U.C.D after 15 minutes when he got on the end of a Samir Belhout cross after a good start from the Students.
Cork edged their way back into the game and got a crucial goal before the half after Daryl Kavanagh deflected in a Daryl Horgan volley.
The drama wasn’t over until the very last minute though as Duggan shot home from outside the box in the 89th minute to condemn U.C.D to their sixth defeat this season.
