Eircom League Review

Week 12: May 25^th

St Pats extended their lead at the summit thanks to a comprehensive 3-1 win over the Eircom League's Jekyll and Hyde side Sligo Rovers, whilst second-placed Drogheda United lost 2-0 at home to Shamrock Rovers for the second time this season.

Rovers had a torrid time trying to contain Pat's strike force of Mark Quigley and Gary O'Neill, who both found the net. Chris Turner bagged a consolation for the visitors.

A Tadgh Purcell brace sealed an unexpected win for Shamrock Rovers at United Park. The 21 year-old scored his first in the 38^th minute, slotting home from strike partner Ger Rowe's cross.

Drogs pressed hard for an equaliser, but their hopes of a revival were dashed when Graham Gartland was dismissed for an off-the-ball clash with Purcell. And the striker sealed the win in the 64^th minute, combining once again with Rowe to volley past Drogs 'keeper Vilmunen.

Bohemians kept their title hopes alive, with a drab 1-0 win over a goal-shy Galway United side at Terryland Park.

With Sean Connor's side also not hitting the net regularly enough, he started this contest with a 4-3-3 system. And his forward-thinking formation paid dividends after just 16 minutes, Darren Mansaram flicking on an Owen Heary throw into the path of Glen Crowe, who bundled home at the second attempt.

Galway's hopes of grabbing a equaliser were all but ended, when on 73 minutes John Lester was dismissed for two bookable offences, as the Gypsies held on for the three points.

UCD made it five draws in a row and ten games unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with Derry City at Belfield Park, in Peter Hutton's first game in charge of the Candystripes.

And his side took the lead after just 14 minutes, Kevin McHugh firing a 25 yard screamer into the bottom corner on 'keeper Matt Gregg's net.

The home side almost equalised immediately, but found Derry 'keeper Pat Jennings in inspired form. But the shot-stopper was helpless on the stroke of half-time. Alan McNally found himself in acres of space after latching onto a Shane McFaul flick-on, and the 24 year-old steered home from ten yards.

The away side dominated for large spells in the second period, but with defences coming out on top at both ends, the teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Waterford United stretched their unbeaten run to four games, with a 2-1 win against bottom side Longford Town at the RSC.

David Breen opened the scoring for United on the stroke of half-time, bustling past Sean Prunty to head home from six yards.

A diving header from Vinny Sullivan doubled their lead after the hour mark from a superb cross from Robbie Hedderman.

Town pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with 13 minutes remaining, Dave Mooney rifling home after Kenny Browne was harshly adjudged to have handled a Dessie Baker cross.

Week 13: May 28^th - 29^th

Bohemians made it two wins in four days, with a 2-0 victory over league leaders St Pats at Dalymount Park on Monday evening.

Stephen Rice opened the scoring for the Gypsies after 24 minutes, John Paul Kelly's superb cross-field pass found Glen Crowe, whose cross was met by Stephen Rice.

The home side had to play the last five minutes with 10 men, after Kelly was stretchered off injured, with Sean Connor having already made his three substitutions.

But he needn't have worried, as the Gypsies were awarded a penalty with two minutes remaining, after Dave Mulcahy brought down Darren Mansaram. Substitute Mark Rossiter converted the spot kick to move Bohs into second for 24 hours at least.

UCD's 10-match unbeaten run came to an end at the Carlisle Gounds, suffering a 2-1 defeat to the hands of Bray Wanderers.

Seagulls' captain Clive Delaney put his side ahead on 19 minutes, heading home an Alan Cawley corner.

The away side should have been level beside the break, when Alan McNally sent striker Conor Sammon through on goal with a perfectly-weighted through ball, but the winger saw his effort blocked by Bray goalkeeper Steve Williams.

The Students' did manage to equalise early in the second-period. Conor Byrne caught Gareth Cronin in possession and fed Sammon, who saw his shot saved by Williams before Derek Doyle hammered home the rebound.

But Bray didn't let their heads drop, and on 69 minutes regained the lead. Gary McCabe latched onto a long clearance from Williams, and fired past Gregg from 16 yards.

Derry City made it two draws in five days after a 1-1 draw with Waterford United.

The home side took the lead against the run of play on 10 minutes. Dave Rogers found Killian Brennan free on the left wing, and his cross was met by Peter Hynes, who fired a sweet volley past Dean Delaney.

The away side equalised 11 minutes later, Robert Brosnan glancing a header beyond the reach of Pat Jennings.

Kevin McHugh could have won it for the Candystripes late on, but Delaney managed to save his powerful drive.

It goes from bad to worse for Longford Town, the latest setback being a 3-0 home defeat to Galway United, at a deserted Flancare Park.

The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot after only two minutes. Stephen O'Flynn making no mistake from the spot after Damian Brennan fouled Derek O'Brien inside the area.

And they doubled their lead on 18 minutes, O'Brien with the assist this time as Derek Glynn fired home.

Glynn almost grabbed his second before the break, but his effort clipped the crossbar.

Longford improved after the break and hit the woodwork on two occasions, Kevin Doherty twice the unlucky player. And Galway's goalkeeper Gary Rogers had to be at his best to keep out efforts from Dessie Baker, Dave Mooney and Dave Freeman.

But the killer blow came on 78 minutes, when Glynn won possession on the halway line, ran towards goal and curled past Mick Dempsey.

Drogheda United moved back into second, and within five points of leaders St Pats with a 2-0 win away to Sligo Rovers.

The visitors took the lead after just three minutes, Brendan Shelly heading home a Tony Grant flick.

Grant should have doubled his side's lead on 16 minute when clear through on goal, but his hesitancy allowed Sligo's defence to get in a last-gasp tackle in.

Drogs defended resolutely, and on 83 minutes put the game out of Rovers' reach. Shane Robinson was brought down by 'keeper Tommy Arcaba, who brushed himself off before making sure of the win.

Shamrock Rovers made it two wins in five days with a fully deserved 2-0 win over an inconsistent Cork City.

The away side had the majority of possession but failed to create many clear-cut chances, with strikers John O'Flynn and Roy O'Donovan starved of decent service. Their best chance came after 10 minutes when Cillian Lordan's header was cleared off the line by Dave O'Connor.

They were left to rue that missed chance, as Rovers took the lead just nine minutes later, Barry Ferguson heading home a Dave Cassidy cross.

Cork huffed and puffed but never looked like grabbing an equaliser. And the home side doubled their advantage just before the hour mark. Mick Devine made a superb point-blank save to deny O'Connor, but from the resulting corner Ger Rowe found time and space to secure the win for Rovers.

Eircom Premier League Table May 30