St Pat’s joined Sligo Rovers at the top of the Airtricity League table for 24 hours at least following this Dublin derby win at Tolka Park.

Shamrock Rovers cruised to a 3-0 victory over St. Patrick's Athletic in the big Dublin derby at Tallaght Stadium.

After the glory days of summer, there is quiet confidence this won’t be a winter of discontent for many out-of-contract Airtricity League players.

The wisdom of the decision by the board of Shamrock Rovers to sack Stephen Kenny will receive its second big test today when the club takes on Drogheda United in the EA Sports Cup final at Tallaght Stadium (5.45pm).

Colin Hawkins yesterday admitted the Shamrock Rovers players were the reason manager Stephen Kenny was sacked.

Drogheda United can move within six points of leaders Sligo Rovers if they beat Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in the pick of tonight’s programme of Airtricity League Premier Division games (7.45pm).

The glamour tie of the FAI Ford Cup third round pits Shamrock Rovers against Cork City in front of the RTÉ television cameras in Tallaght this evening, with an early kick off of 7.05pm.

Airtricity Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers, bidding for a first league success since 1978, can keep on course for the title by collecting another vital three points in tonight’s clash with Shelbourne at Tolka Park (8 pm).

In a game which looks pivotal to their hopes of retaining their title, Shamrock Rovers host leaders Sligo Rovers in the Airtricity League Premier Division this evening in front of the Setanta cameras at Tallaght Stadium (8pm).

With the top of the table clash between Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United not taking place until tomorrow and St Patrick’s Athletic engaged this week in Europa League action, Shamrock Rovers will be looking to take advantage by narrowing the seven-point gap which separates them from the leaders when they face UCD at the Belfield Bowl this evening.

Derry City and Shamrock Rovers will each be looking to return to winning ways after recent frustrations when they meet at the Brandywell tonight (kick off: 7.45pm).

Cork City will look to extend their 10-game unbeaten Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division run when they host Shelbourne at Turner’s Cross tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Dundalk will look to end a poor run of results which has seen them lose three out of their last four league games when they host the champions at Oriel Park tonight (kick off: 7.45pm).

Dundalk manager Sean McCaffrey has left the club.

Bohemians produced a top class display to overcome bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers in last night’s Airtricity League Premier Division encounter at a hostile Dalymount Park where fans invaded the pitch.

Peter McMahon and Karl Moore both scored twice as Bohemians gleefully humiliated champions Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park, beating their arch-rivals 4-0.

With his 14th and 15th goals of the season, Gary Twigg helped Shamrock Rovers twice come from behind to beat 10-man Shelbourne in a pulsating derby at Tolka Park.

Shelbourne 2 Shamrock Rovers 3

An 87th minute goal from John Dunleavy rescued a point for Cork City at Tallaght Stadium last night.

Runaway Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers will be hoping to open up the gap on the chasing pack when they host Shelbourne at the Showgrounds (7.45pm) tonight.

Sligo Rovers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0

Holders Shamrock Rovers beat Cliftonville 3-1 on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the Setanta Sports Cup on a dramatic night at Solitude.

DAN MURRAY, one of Cork City’s favourite sons, has rejoined the club.

St Johnstone 0 Celtic 1

IT’S 20 years today since Packie Bonner pulled off that memorable penalty save to deny Daniel Timofte, which proved paramount for Ireland’s cause in reaching the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.

St Johnstone 5 Hibernian 1

TONY MOWBRAY watched his threadbare squad go within seven points of Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers with a 4-1 win at St Johnstone yesterday, then revealed he has players ready to come back to increase the pressure on the Ibrox men.

St Johnstone 1 Celtic 4

Former Drogheda defender Graham Gartland has signed a short-term contract until the end of the season with Scottish First Division leaders St Johnstone.

Bohemians can win the league with a victory away to reigning champions Drogheda United at United park tonight, kick-off 7.35pm.

UCD 1 Drogheda United 0

Drogheda United 0 Cobh Ramblers 0

Reigning champions Drogheda United take on struggling Galway United at United Park this evening, (kick-off 7.45pm).

Drogheda United travel to the Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers on Saturday knowing that a victory would put them in contention for a UEFA Cup spot, kick-off 8.00pm.

Drogheda United host Shamrock Rovers in this evening's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at United Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bohemians 1 Drogheda United 0

THERE WAS no doubt about the biggest sensation of the week – Colm Murray’s discovery that in China they use chopsticks. But Drogheda United ran the RTÉ man close.

Dynamo Kiev 2, Drogheda United 2

Drogheda United will face Dynamo Kiev in the second qualifying round of the Champions League after a brave victory over Estonian side Levadia Tallinn.

Drogheda United 0 Cork City 1

Drogheda United 2 Levadia Tallinn 1

Drogheda United 2 UCD 1

Drogheda United host UCD in this evening's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at United Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Galway United boss Jeff Kenna has a near full-strength squad to choose from for the visit of Drogheda United in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Terryland Park (kick-off 7.45pm).