There was a full round of Premier Division games played on Monday and Tuesday with plenty of goals scored. None more so than in a snow covered Oriel Park on Tuesday evening. After two goal-less draws Dundalk supporters were anxious to see their side record a win and they did so in emphatic fashion beating Limerick FC 8-0. Pat Hoban and Michael Duffy both scored two apiece with Robbie Benson, Stephen Folan, Karolis Chvedukas and Dylan Connolly all scored one each. They were Hoban’s first goals for the clubs since he returned to the Lillywhites after spells in England with Mansfield Town and Oxford United. Another side who recorded their opening win of 2018 were Derry City as they beat Bohemian FC 1-0 in Dalymount Park. Ronan Curtis scored the games only goal in the 60th minute. Bohs also finished with ten men as Eoghan Stokes saw red a minute from full time. That should improve the mood of Derry manager Kenny Shiels who was giving out in the days leading up to the game that he felt his club were becoming a feeder side for the top two in the League.
Dundalk weren’t the only big winners as Shamrock Rovers also racked up a big score in picking up their first three points. They were 6-0 winners against Bray Wanderers in the Tallaght Stadium. Brandon Miele scored twice and Graham Burke, David McAllister, Daniel Carr and Sean Kavanagh all got in on the scoring act as well. Kavanagh enjoyed an impressive showing as along with getting his goal he also notched up two assists. Cork City remain top and the only side with a 100% record as they made it three wins out of three by beating Sligo Rovers 4-1 in the Showgrounds. Graham Cummins scored a hat-trick with Kieran Sadlier getting the other. Adam Morgan pulled a goal back for Rovers who also had Rhys McCabe sent off in the 88th minute. Cork have started this season in ominous fashion and it was a long winning streak at the start of last season that powered them to the title. Waterford FC are sitting in second place after their 2-0 win against St. Patrick’s Athletic. Kenny Browne and Bastien Hery scored their goals. Hery’s in particular is a goal worth checking out as the French midfielder scored with a well taken shot from distance. It is just as well that those games were played because all fixtures have been called off for the coming weekend thanks to a combination of low pressure fronts, Storm Emma and Siberian breezes which have created a super cold snap called the ‘Beast from the East’!