1st Division Round-Up

Sporting Fingal made the journey from Dublin to Longford and came back with a 3-1 win and the three points. Former Leeds trainee Robert Bayly opened the scoring on 23 minutes before Éamon Zayed made it 2-0 on 75 minutes. Liam Lynch pulled a goal back for the hosts 3 minutes later before Ross Gaynor made it 3-1 on 80 minutes. 

Wexford Youths got a vital 2-1 win over Finn Harps on Saturday. Gavin Doyle opwed the scoring on 10 minutes before Wexford got their 2nd on 59 minutes. Conor Gethins pulled a goal back for the visitors but Finn Harps will make the long journey back with no points. 

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 St Patrick's

Gary Twigg continued his scoring run on Saturday night as Shamrock Rovers put more misery on St Patrick's. Twigg opened the scoring on 50 minutes before he added his 2nd 23 minutes later. 

St Patrick's poor form continues with just 1 win in their last 5 games. Shamrock Rovers meanwhile are now 4th with 15 points from their 9 games played. 

1st Division round-up

Limerick were defeated at Jackman Park on Friday after Waterford United left with a 2-0 win and the three points. Goals from Paul McCarthy and Graham Cummins securing the points and 2nd place. 

Mervue United couldn't stop UCD as they suffered a last gasp defeat. David O'Brien scored an own goal on 32 minutes before Mervue levelled on 39 minutes thanks to Nicky Curran. John Reilly hit the winner for the leaders to secure top spot. 

Shelbourne kept pace with UCD by beating Athlone Town 2-0 at Tolka Park. Goals from Anthony Flood and Derek Doyle enough to secure three points. 

Monaghan United were also victorious as they put 5 past Kildare County. Goals from Sean Brennan,  Barry Clancy and Daragh Hanaphy plus a double from Paul Whelan gave Monaghan a 5-1 win with David O'Riordan getting one back for the visitors.

Saturday sees two games on with Longford Town hosting Sporting Fingal and Finn Harps going to Wexford Youths.  

Round 9 round-up

Bohemians remain top after beating Bray Wanderers 2-0 at Dalymount Park on Friday. Goals from Killian Brennan (42) and Jason Bryne (44) were enough to seal the victory. 

Derry City surrendered 2nd spot after the were surprisingly defeated 1-0 at home to Dundalk. Darren Mansaram scored the only goal on 54 minutes. 

Drogheda United got a point after holding Sligo Rovers to a 0-0 draw at united park. Sligo who have been in good form lately will be disappointed about this result. 

Cork City have jumped into 2nd place after beating Galway United 1-0 at Turner's Cross. The only goal came on 17 minutes when Fahrudin Kuduzovic crossed for Billy Dennehy to finish from close-range. 

Shamrock Rovers host St Patrick's in Saturday night's game. 

Round 8 Round Up

Dundalk failed to beat Cork City at Oriel Park on Friday night as the Leesiders continue to power up the table. Dundalk had taken the lead when George O'Callaghan found Chris Turner with a cross and the header was perfect past Dan Connor. Billy Dennehy lobbed Chris Bennion on 74 minutes before Dennis Behan found the winner on 88 minutes. 

Galway United suffered another defeat at Terryland Park as Shamrock Rovers left with the 3 points. Gary Twigg scored a disputed hat-trick. Twigg scored the 1st on 4 minutes before his controversial goal on 17 minutes which he was offside. He wrapped up a perfect night with another on 64 minutes. Vinny Faherty had found the net on 55 minutes. 

Bray Wanderers kept up their unbeaten home run as leaders Derry City visited the Carlisle Grounds on Friday. Ciarán Martyn gave Derry the lead on 18 minutes before Gary McCabe levelled with a sweet strike on the edge of the area on 72 minutes. 

St Patrick's returned to winning ways as they beat bottom side Drogheda United 2-1 at Richmond Park. Andy Haran opened the scoring on 21 minutes before it was 2-0 when former Drogs star Stuart Bryne scored. Drogheda pulled a goal back on 83 minutes thanks to Mark Duggan. 

Saturday's game saw Sligo Rovers host champions Bohemians at the Showgrounds and a few chances fell to either side with Romauld Boco coming close before Jason Bryne tied up Kilian Brennan who could've had a penalty. 0-0 the final score. 

League Cup Round 1 review

Cork City made hard-work of going through to round 2. The Rebel Army needed extra-time to beat Kerry League but eventually  ran out 1-3 winners. Tim Kiely gave Cork the lead but Chris Kerins levelled for the Part-Time Kerry League. Danny Murphy and Denis Behan both scored in extra-time to send them through. 

UCD came away from Tullamore Town 2-0 winners and with a place in round 2. 

Finn Harps brushed Castlebar Celtic aside 4-0. 

Athlone Town sunk their midlands rivals Longford Town again with a 3-0 win. Stpehan Rice and 2 from Emeka Onwubiko with the goals. 

Remaining 1st round ties

Tonight the last four 2nd round places will be decided as 8 clubs look to win their place in the next round. 

Kerry League host in-form Cork City who are likely to make changes for this tie in Mounthawk stadium in Tralee. 

Castlebar Celtic of the 'A' Championship host Finn Harps looking for a place in round 2. Kick-off at 7:30 pm at Celtic Park. 

Tullamore Town host UCD who have won 6 out of 6 in the 1st division so far and Leah Victoria Park will be the setting. 

Longford Town face Athlone town again for the 2nd time in 3 days at Flancare Park. 

League Cup 1st Round Review

The 1st Round of the EA Sports Cup began on Monday night with seven ties being played. 

Galway United were pitted against Galway rivals Salthill Devon. Jay O'Shea scored a free-kik on 8 minutes before Declan Edwards completed a tap-in on 22 minutes to give the Premier division side a 2-0 lead. Enda Dunne pulled a goal back for Salthill on 72 minutes before Marcen Maranck levelled the scores on 78 minutes at 2-2. The game went to penalties and it was Salthill's Ray Winters who missed the crucial spot-kick and Galway won to go through. 

Shelbourne hosted Dundalk in what should've been a close game at Tolka Park. Peter Hynes opened the scoring for Shelbourne before Richie Baker made it 2-0 and to round-up a good night for Shels, Paddy Madden made it 3-0 sending Dundalk out. 

Sporting Fingal are also through after beating Monaghan United 2-1. The 2nd win for Sporting over Monaghan in 3 days. Conan Bryne gave Sporting the lead on 11 minutes before he got his 2nd on 27 minutes. But Monaghan pulled a goal back through Darragh Hanaphy. 

Drogheda United put their league campaign to one side as they recorded a 2-0 win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds. Brian King and James Chambers were among the goals for the Drogs. 

Shamrock Rovers breezed past Kildare County at Tallaght stadium with a 3-0 win over the 1st division's bottom side. Tadhg Purcell gave Rovers the lead before Karl Hegarty put through his own net and Stephen Bradley converted a penalty to secure the win. 

Limerick and Wexford Youth had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out after the two sides drew 1-1 at Jackman Park. Gavin Doyle gave Youths the perfect start when putting them 0-1 up but Stephen Goggins levelled for the Shannonsiders to send the game into penalties in which Pa Doyle helped Wexford to the 2nd round with a string of penalty saves. 

FC Carlow hosted Cobh Ramblers in an all 'A' Championship tie. FC Carlow ended up winning 3-2 and secure a place in round 2 against Waterford United. 

1st Division Round-Up

Saturday night saw two fixtures being played. Finn Harps hosted Waterford United and Athlone Town made the short trip to Longford. 

The Midlands derby between Longford and Athlone saw just the one strike from Thomas McGauley on 15 minutes to secure Athlone Town a 1-0 away victory. 

Waterford United made the long trip north to face Finn Harps and it was the hosts who made the breakthrough on 15 minutes thanks to Conor Gethins' penalty. Just a minute later Waterford were level thanks to Graham Cummins. Gary Dunphy made it 1-2 on 72 minutes before Joe Mulcahy wrapped up the 3 points on 86 minutes. 

Bohemians 3-0 St Patrick's

Saturday nights only gaem saw a dublin derby take place and Bohemians ran out easy 3-0 winners at Dalymount Park. 

Glen Crowe gave Bohs the lead on 48 minutes and on 70 minutes Bohs made it 2-0 thanks to Graham Carey's goal. Just 7 miniutes later Sean Bryne made it 3-0 as St Patrick's suffer back-to-back 3-0 defeats in a week. 

1st Division Round-up

Friday night saw a top of the table clash between UCD and Shelbourne with both sides going into the game with 100% win records. David McMillan gave UCD a 17th minute lead before John Reilly put the Students 2-0 up at Tolka Park. Paddy Madden pulled a goal back for Shelbourne on 47 minutes but UCD got a 3rd on 65 minutes with John Reilly getting his 2nd of the night. 

Kildare County's poor start continued with a shocking 0-3 loss to Mervue United. Damien O'Rourke put Mervue ahead on 26 minutes before David Garry put through his own net on 42 minutes. Kildare were woeful and conceded a 3rd on 75 minutes with David O'Dowd happy to give Mervue a much needed win. 

Wexford Youths were beaten by a spirited Limerick side that look to have put their recent form behind them. Colin Scanlan gave the Munster side the lead on 24 minutes but had to wait until Paul Walsh's 86 minute penalty was converted to give Limerick a 2-0 away win. 

Monaghan United stay 11th after losing 0-3 at home to promotion chasing Sporting Fingal. Sporting knew a win would help as UCD played Shelbourne and a win they got with Conan Bryne opening the scoring on 6 minutes before Shaun Williams made it 2-0 on 28 minutes. Williams again scored on 69 minutes to secure 3 points for Sporting. 

Round 7 Round-up

An entertaining round of fixtures on Friday night saw no less than 8 goals scored in 4 games. The biggest game of the night was Derry City against Sligo Rovers which was being shown live on tv and it was a good match as both sides played end-to-end stuff. Sligo Rovers took the lead thanks to Romauld Boco's deflected goal on 39 minutes but a minute later Gareth McGlynn volleyed in from a perfect cross. Derry were pushing for the win and came close from corners with Clive Delaney heading over. But Delaney's clearence on 89 minutes was blocked which sent Rafael Cretaro through one-on-one which he slotted past Gerard Doherty. Sligo's 1st win in Derry since 1999. 

The game's early kick-off of 16:00 was in Bray which saw the hosts draw with Dundalk 1-1 in a game of two halfs. Declan O'Brien found the net for Dundalk on 42 minutes before Bray pulled level thanks to Jake Kelly's penalty on the stoke of half-time. 

Drogheda United suffered a 2nd sucessive defeat in a week when Galway United left United park with 3 undeserved points. Drogheda United created the most chances and should've been miles in front but a sloppy goal from Declan Edwards on 80 minutes proved to be the winner and sunk Drogheda. 

Shamrock Rovers hosted in-form Cork City at Tallaght stadium and it was the Leesiders who took the lead thanks to a brillient free-kick from Colin Healy on 66 minutes. But Shamrock Rovers became the 3rd side this season to take points from Cork late on with Gary Twigg netting on 83 minutes to force a draw. 

Team Focus Cork City:

We focus on Cork City and about the start they have made after 5 league games of the 2009 season. The Rebel Army haven't had a perfect start that they would've liked but after 5 games they are 3rd behind Bohemians and Derry City with 10 points. 

Having sacked Alan Matthews in December and appointing Paul Doolin in January it has been a difficult few months for the club as they aim to bounce back from the financial problems last year. 

The new signings Doolin has made have been so far 50 50. Billy Dennehy and Guntars Silagailis have settled in well and have become fan favourites while Fahrudin Kudozovic and Roberts Mezeckis are yet to shine. Mezeckis has been injured and will be out for a while and Kudozovic has been on the bench. Dan Connor has been good so far this season and kept 3 clean sheets in a row while Davin O'Neil has performed well since arriving from Cobh Ramblers. 

Cork drew their opening game away to Sligo Rovers and then lost 1-0 at home to St Patrick's. But just 3 minutes away from victory in Derry Cork lost 2-1 and things were not looking good. Needing wins the rebel army played Bray Wanderers at home and won 2-1 before beating the champions Bohemians 1-0 in Dalymount and then beating Drogheda United 1-0 at Turner's Cross on Tuesday. 

The next fixtures are difficult for Cork. They travel to Dublin to face Shamrock Rovers tonight and Friday they are away to Dundalk on the astroturf Oriel Park and host Galway United on April 24th. 

Round 6 round-up

There was a full programe of fixtures on Tuesday night. The 1st of 4 midweek rounds in 2009 saw Dundalk take on Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park. Shamrock Rovers who had drawn against Drogheda last Friday were back in Louth as they beat Dundalk 0-1 thanks to Stephan Rice's goal on 11 minutes. 

Champions Bohemians inflicted Galway United's first home defeat of the season with Jason Bryne scoring twice on 32 minutes and 45 minutes. 

Sligo Rovers finally got a win after Rafael Cretaro's double (4,47) secured the points before Paul Bryne struck on 29 minutes. 

St Patrick's suffered a 2nd 0-3 home defeat this time to Derry City as they continue to top the table. Thomas Stewart opened the scoring on 9 minutes before Gareth McGlynn made it 2-0 on 33 minutes. Ciarán Martyn made it 3-0 on 37 minutes to secure the win. 

Cork City made it 3 wins from 3 games as they defeated Drogheda United 1-0 at Turner's Cross. Dennis Behan volleyed in the winner on 38 minutes as Cork move into 3rd place. 

1st Division Round-up

All the promotion favourites played on Friday night. Shelbourne went to Mervue to get 3 points and they did just that thanks to Kevin Doherty's goal. 

Sporting Fingal kept pace with Shels after Éamonn Zayed found the only goal against Finn Harps. 

UCD made it 5 wins from 5 when they secured a comprehensive 4-0 win at home to Kildare County. David McMillan helping himself to 2 goals. 

Saturday night saw Limerick hold Monaghan United to a 0-0 draw at Jackman Park. Waterford United recored a 1-0 win over Longford Town while Athlone Town were beaten at home by Wexford Youths. 

Round 5 Round-up

The game of the round took place at Dalymount Park on Friday night as champions Bohemians fell to a 1-0 defeat to Cork City. Former Cobh Ramblers man Davin O'Neil scored the only goal. 

Derry City could only get a 1-1 draw at home to Galway United and missed the chance extend the lead at the top. Stewart opened the scoring for Derry on 21 minutes before Conneely levelled for Galway on 52 minutes. 

Bray Wanderers had a floodlight failure at half-time and the game was delayed for an extra half an hour but it didn't stop Bray from recording their 1st win of the season over St Patrick's. Jake Kelly's penalty on 74 minutes et Bray on their way but Stuart Bryne levelled on 89 minutes for the Dublin side before Paul Bryne scored the winner. 

Drogheda were just 5 minutes away from their 1st win of the season but instead had to do with a draw against Shamrock Rovers at United Park. Gary Twigg gave the Dubs the lead on 20 minutes. But Drogheda levelled when Paul Shiels scored on 47 minutes. Drogheda took a shock lead on 73 minutes when Robbie Farrell finished. But on 85 minutes Pádraig Armond levelled the scores and it ended 2-2. 

Saturday night's game saw Sligo Rovers fall to a 1-3 defeat to Dundalk at the Showgrounds. Dundalk raced into the lead on 38 minutes when Darren Mansaram scored against his former club. Liam Burns made it 0-2 on 64 minutes and on 76 minutes Chris Turner made it 0-3. Sligo did pull a goal back on 77 minutes through Rafael Cretaro.