Premier Division round-up: Shelbourne see off Sligo Rovers as St Pat’s keep pace with title rivals Shamrock Rovers

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Mark Coyle’s 40th minute strike was the difference as Shelbourne maintained their European chase with a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers.

Damien Duff’s side have now moved above Dundalk in the table on goal difference.

And the Reds are now just four points behind Bohemians and Derry City, although the Candystripes do at least have a game in hand on Shels.

But Saturday’s win has also piled the misery on relegation play-off candidates Sligo Rovers.

Coyle’s long-range strike squirmed through Conor Walsh’s legs to roll into the net – and that goal proved key.

Walsh did at least make amends with a second-half penalty save to deny Jack Moylan.

However, it mattered little as Shels ran out 1-0 winners.

Meanwhile, league leaders Shamrock Rovers ran out 1-0 winners at home to Dundalk on Friday night.

The Hoops had to withstand a number of first-half scares before taking a second-half lead through Roberto Lopes.



Lopes met Dylan Watts’ corner kick to power a header past Lilywhites keep Nathan Shepperd.

But the Hoops were unable to extend their lead at the top of the table thanks to St Patrick’s Athletic’s 1-0 win away to UCD.

Captain Joe Redmond’s free-header from a corner-kick was the difference between the two teams at the UCD Bowl.

And while the win may not have been overly convincing for the Saints – it was important.



On the same night Bohemians and Derry City played out a 2-2 draw at Dalymount Park.

James Clarke gave Declan Devine’s men a 13th minute lead before the Candystripes fought back to take a 2-1 lead into the half-time break.

Michael Duffy and Danny Mullen both scored for Derry.

But Jonathan Afolabi’s second-half spot-kick salvaged a point for Bohs who sit on 47 points.

Elsewhere, Cork City’s league campaign showed no sign of improving after their 3-1 defeat away to Drogheda United.

Kevin Custovic’s first-half opener looked to have set the Leesiders on their way to a priceless three points at Weavers Park.

But it unravelled spectacularly in the second-half.

Malik Dijksteel was sent off for a second yellow card while Drogheda hammered home their numerical superiority with goals from Kyle Robinson, Aaron McNally and Ryan Brennan.

They are now eight points clear of City with just eight games left to play.

 

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