Premier Division round-up: Derry City see off Dundalk while Shamrock Rovers take another step towards the title
Will Patching netted a brace for Derry City against Dundalk Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)
A Will Patching brace kept Derry City’s slim Premier Division title hopes alive on Friday night with a 3-1 win over Dundalk at Oriel Park.
With Shamrock Rovers seven points clear of the Candystripes prior to kick-off, Ruaidhri Higgins’ side knew that they needed a win to stay in touch with the Hoops.
And they got just what they needed.
Patching opened the scoring in the 42nd minute before Ben Doherty doubled their advantage just moments after the half-time break to put Derry in command.
While Dundalk had chances, City eventually sealed the win in the 77th minute from a Patching spot-kick.
Patrick Hoban netted a 96th minute consolation for Stephen O’Donnell’s men from the spot.
But Derry were unable to close the gap on Shamrock Rovers, with the Hoops running out 3-0 winners over bitter Dublin rivals Bohemians.
Rovers had to wait until the 43rd minute to open the scoring through Lee Grace.
And they managed to double their advantage in the 51st minute through Ronan Finn.
Neil Farrugia then put the gloss on the victory with a stunning strike that sailed into the top corner in the 82nd minute.
Meanwhile, Shelbourne struck twice late on to defeat St Patrick’s Athletic in a Dublin derby for the ages at Tolka Park.
Damien Duff’s men enjoyed the play for most of the game in Drumcondra but fell behind in the 20th minute when Joe Redmond headed into the net from a Jamie Lennon cross.
But Shels responded well and were aided by a red card shown to Jay McGrath in the 65th minute after he received a second yellow card for fouling Jack Moylan.
With his first touch as a Shelbourne player, Euclides Cabral levelled in the 80th minute before Paddy Barrett’s thunderous header won the game as injury time loomed.
Shels are now just one point behind fourth-placed Bohemians in the table.
Elsewhere, Sligo Rovers’ season sunk to a new low when they lost 3-0 away to relegation rivals Cork City at Tuner’s Cross.
A Ruairi Keating hat-trick was the difference between the two teams.
The striker opened the scoring in the first half with a 28th minute spot-kick before he then wrapped the game up with goals in the 65th and 75th minute.
The Leesiders are now just three points behind the Bit O’Red with seven games left to play.
And at Weavers Park Drogheda United swatted aside UCD 3-0 to keep their own survival hopes in check.
Kyle Robinson opened the scoring with a sensational strike in the 34th minute before he struck again on the stroke of half-time to double their advantage.
Former Longford Town defender Aaron McNally put the icing on the cake in the second half.
