Airtricity League Week 16 Round-up
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It was some night in the Airtricity League of Ireland last night. 31 goals from the nine games, with five players, Peter McMahon (Bohemians), Danny North (Sligo Rovers), Gavin Brennan (Drogheda United), Pat Hoban (Mervue United) and Karl Moore (Bohemians) scoring a brace. To add to the drama, six players were red carded with over 34 yellow cards issued.
Fifteen of the goals came in the first 45 minutes, with the remaining 16 arriving in the second half - an even spread of the drama however all six dismissals arrived in the second period of the games. Three penalties were scored (Mark Salmon, Shane Tracy and Pat Hoban) whilst one was missed (Danny Furlong) however the rebound was netted in that instance.
In the Premier Division, Bohemians inflicted another heavy defeat on Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park with two goals each from Peter McMahon and Karl Moore giving Bohs a 4-0 win over their biggest rivals. Sligo Rovers took advantage of this loss, as a characteristically clinical display from Danny North saw Sligo Rovers put lowly Dundalk to the sword at Oriel Park.
Saint Patrick’s Athletic sustained the pressure on league leaders Sligo Rovers with a 1-0 victory over Dublin rivals Shelbourne thanks to Greg Bolger’s first half goal in Inchicore. Drogheda ruthlessly disposed of Derry City by three goals to nil in the Brandywell to move into third place in the Airtricity Premier division.
In the last of the Premier Division games, Cork City travelled to the Carlisle Grounds and put three past Bray Wanderers.
The game of the night in the Airtricity First Division was the epic clash of Mervue United and Longford Town. Longford Town staged a remarkable comeback in Fahy’s Field when they came from 3-0 down at the break to defeat Mervue United in a nine goal thriller.
Limerick kept the pressure on Longford though with a three goal victory over Finn Harps in Jackman Park whilst Athlone Town made it three wins from three games in 2012 against bottom club SD Galway when two first half goals from Jason Hughes and Tommy Barrett secured full points at Lissywollen.
In the final First Division game, Peter Keegan's goal in the 79th minute was the difference in Ferrycarrig Park, as Waterford United came away with a crucial derby win over Wexford Youths.
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About Gareth Penrose
Gareth Penrose founded extratime.com in 2008 and has worked as a reporter / editor / developer on the site since.
Over the last 14 years, Gareth has covered games in the League … View Full Profile