League of Ireland roundup: Perfect 10 for Cork

Another week in the SSE Airtricity League and another Premier Division win for Cork City who have now won their opening ten league games. This week they won 3-0 away against St. Patrick’s Athletic with their goals coming from Ryan Delaney, Karl Sheppard and Garry Buckley. Dundalk won 2-0 at home to Bohemian FC to remain in second place. David McMillan and former Celtic man Michael Duffy were their scorers. Level with them on points but seperated by goal difference are the surprise package of the season so far Bray Wanderers. They beat Shamrock Rovers 4-2 at home. As is so often the case in football Shamrock fell victim to the curse of the former player as Gary McCabe, who had just left the previous season scoring the first two for Bray, scored a penalty. Dylan Connolly and Jason Marks got the other goals. Darren Meenan and James Doona scored for Shamrock who finished with ten men as Michael O’Connor was sent off with ten minutes remaining.

Despite being without a manager Limerick are up to 4th. They drew 1-1 in the Markets Field with Galway United. Robbie Williams gave them the lead but David Cawley equalised in the 85th minute to ease the pressure on Galway manager Shane Keegan as his side remain bottom of the table. Derry halted their run of four league defeats on the bounce as they drew 1-1 with Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds. Rovers had their newly appointed manager Gerard Lyttle watching from the stands, he had previously been in charge of Northern Irish Premiership side Cliftonville. Both goals came from the boots of Rovers players. Kieran Sadlier gave his side the lead with Derry’s equaliser being an own goal from Kyle Callan-McFadden. Drogheda United are 7th thanks to an impressive 2-0 away win against Finn Harps. Adam Wixted and Gavin Brennan their scorers.

The first managerial casualty of the season in the First Division came during the week with Athlone Town parting ways with Portuguese coach Ricardo Monsanto. As is so often the case they then won their following league fixture beating Wexford 1-0. Waterford remain top despite a goal-less draw with Cabinteely. Cobh Ramblers were 2-0 winners at home to Longford Town while the remaining fixture saw UCD win 1-0 away against Shelbourne.