SSE Airtricity League Round-Up Week Ending 18th June BACK FROM THE BREAK BUT STILL THE SAME STORY

Action resumed in both the Premier and First Divisions over the weekend in the SSE Airtricity League but script remains the same. Cork City won and continue to lead the Premier, Waterford won and lead the First and much to my frustration Sligo Rovers drew another crunch relegation game – again! Starting with Rovers because they are my club and this is my blog, they were home to bottom side Galway United in the Showgrounds and took the lead through Jonah Ayunga after ten minutes. Their lead lasted less than fifteen minutes as Stephen Folan equalised for Galway who finished with ten as Marc Ludden was sent off in stoppage time. That point does take Rovers out of the bottom three albeit on goal difference. Below them are Galway, Drogheda United and St. Patrick’s Athletic. Drogheda had an awful night against county rivals Dundalk in the Louth derby. They lost 6-0 at home and their cause wasn’t helped by the first half sending off of Thomas Byrne. David McMillan and Ciaran Kiduff scored two apiece with Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy getting the other goals. St. Pat’s who are now bottom were also beaten at home going down 3-1 against Bohemian FC. They actually led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Alex O’Hanlon but second half goals from Oscar Brennan, Dinny Corcoran and George Poynton gave Bohs the win.

Shamrock Rovers are up to fourth as a goal from Michael O’Connor was enough to give them a 1-0 win away to Finn Harps. Bray Wanderers remain third as they beat Derry City 3-2 in the Carlisle Grounds. Ronan Curtis and Nathan Boyle scored for Derry with Darragh Noone, Ryan Brennan and Tim Clancy on the mark for Bray. At the top Cork City beat Limerick FC 4-1 in Turner’s Cross in the Munster Derby. Sean Maguire scored two with Stephen Dooley and Jimmy Keohane getting the other goals. Rodrigo Tosi scored for Limerick. They continue to lead Dundalk by 18 points. In the First Division Waterford have opened up a five point gap at the top. They beat Cabinteely 3-0 whilst second place side Cobh Ramblers went down 2-1 away to Longford Town. There is only one promotion place up for grabs this season so a gap like this could prove vital. UCD were beaten 2-1 at home by Shelbourne whilst Wexford and Athlone Town played out a 2-2 draw.