Premier Division round-up: Derry City and Waterford claim wins as Shelbourne stay top
Waterford celebrate their opener against Sligo Rovers Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)
Derry City kept the pressure on league leaders Shelbourne with a routine 2-0 victory over Galway United.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side have recovered well since losing away to Shamrock Rovers last month and have picked up seven points from a possible nine in their last three outings.
But they had to wait until the second half to score with Will Patching and Patrick Hoban on target for the Candystripes.
Derry remain just two points off Shels at the summit after the Reds defeated Dundalk at home on Friday night.
The Reds scraped a narrow 1-0 success over the Lilywhites in a game that failed to ignite.
There have been some great games at the Richmond Road venue this season but this certainly was not one of them.
The first-half was very uneventful and the second was only marginally better.
Shelbourne had most of the possession but lacked the creativity to break down a resilient Dundalk side for much of the contest, before doing so midway through the second period through John Martin.
Meanwhile, Waterford eased past Sligo Rovers 4-1 at the RSC.
The Bit O’Red were without several first-team players owing to injury and involvement in state exams - and it proved to be a test too great for John Russell’s men.
Ben McCormack gave the Blues a first-half lead before Connor Parsons doubled their advantage on the hour mark.
Padraig Amond then netted a brace either side of a consolation from Sligo striker Wilson Waweru to complete the rout for Keith Long’s side.
Elsewhere, Drogheda United moved off bottom spot after picking up a point in a scoreless draw with St Patrick’s Athletic at Weavers Park.
In a game of few chances, Drogheda were worthy of a share of the spoils with Stephen Kenny’s Pat's side blunt in attack, particularly in the second half at Weavers Park.
The point moves Drogheda ahead of Louth rivals Dundalk on goal difference and into the relegation playoff place, while Pats continue to look over their shoulder in eighth place, eight points ahead of the bottom two but with two more games played.
