The new season of the SSE Airtricity League may only be a few weeks old but already a familiar pattern if forming with Cork City and Dundalk again looking like the two sides who be the strongest contenders for the Premier Division title. Cork are top after six games with Dundalk second.
Cork were held a 1-1 draw by Munster rivals Limerick FC in the Markets Field. Billy Dennehy gave Limerick the lead with Kieran Sadlier equalising from the penalty spot for Cork. Dundalk looked on course for their fourth goal-less draw of the season in their clash with Waterford FC in Oriel Park until a 94th minute own goal from Garry Comerford gave them the win. Waterford are now third level on points with Dundalk.
An own goal also decided the game between Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic in the Tallaght Stadium. Shamrock won 1-0 with Kevin Toner being the unfortunate match winner. Derry City have enjoyed their return to the Brandywell as they scored five for the second game in a row. This time the opposition were Bray Wanderers who were beaten 5-1. Rory Patterson, Ronan Curtis, Aaron McEneff, Ronan Hale and David Hopkirk scored for Derry who also had Nicky Low sent off. Sean Heaney scored for bottom of the table Bray. Sligo Rovers twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Bohemian FC in Dalymount Park. Eoghan Stokes and Ian Morris twice put Bohs ahead with David Cawley and Adam Morgan levelling matters for Rovers. Morgan has made a great start to his career with Rovers, the former Liverpool man has scored four goals in his first six games.
There were goals aplenty in the First Division none more so than in Ferrycarrig Park where Drogheda United beat Wexford FC 8-1. Sean Brennan, Lee Duffy and Chris Lyons all scored two each with Mark Doyle and Jake Hyland getting the other goals. There were goals and drama in Tolka Park as well as Shelbourne FC beat Longford Town 3-2. David O’Sullivan playing for the first time against his former club scored a hat-trick. O’Sullivan is Longford’s all-time top scorer so that will have hurt the Longford supporters. Sam Verdon scored both goals for Longford. The winner came three minutes into stoppage time after Verdon and Dylan McGlade had been sent off for Longford.
Finn Harps picked up a valuable 2-0 away win against Cobh Ramblers in St. Colman’s Park while UCD FC were 3-1 winners against Athlone Town in the Athlone Stadium. Galway United continued with their strong start as they beat Cabinteely 3-1 in Eamon Deacy Park. Danny Furlong scored two with Conor Barry getting the other.