Shamrock Rovers winless start to the season continued on St Patrick’s Day as they were held to a 2-2 draw against St Patrick’s Athletic.
Jake Mulraney’s late leveller secured a point against the Hoops after Jack Byrne’s superb strike looked to have won the game for Stephen Bradley’s men.
Richie Towell opened the scoring in the first-half with a long-range strike that curled past Saints keeper Dean Lyness.
But Rovers were pegged back just before the break when Eoin Doyle netted from the spot after Sean Hoare felled Doyle inside the penalty area.
However, Byrne then arrowed a sensational strike into the top corner in the second-half to put the Hoops back in the lead.
And while Byrne looked like he was set to grab the headlines – Mulraney showed he could do the same with a similarly impressive strike to share the spoils.
Meanwhile, Bohemians impressive start to the season continued with a hard-fought 2-1 win at home to UCD.
Danu Kinsella-Bishop opened the scoring for the Students in the first-half and that was a lead they held until the second-half.
They were, however, helped with Ali Coote’s dismal penalty miss when he skied his spot-kick over the bar just before the break.
Bohs also had the ball in the net in the opening period, but Jonathan Afolabi’s goal was chalked off by referee Rob Harvey.
But two second-half goals from Paddy Kirk and the aforementioned Coote spared their blushes as they moved a dizzying ten points clear of champions Shamrock Rovers.
Elsewhere, Damien Duff’s Shelbourne picked up a commanding 2-0 win away to Cork City at Turner’s Cross.
A Josh Honohan own-goal and a Jack Moylan strike gave the Reds a win as Colin Healy’s side saw their three-game unbeaten come to a shuddering halt.
And at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry City salvaged a late point against Sligo Rovers.
Max Mata gave John Russell’s side the lead but Ciaran Coll saved the day late on with an 81st minute equaliser.
