Usurped by the Hoops as Dundalk’s main challengers and FAI Cup final opponents, the Rebel Army found themselves second-best to their hosts as the curtain came down on a campaign that nobody will remember with fondness.

With five ex-UCD players in their match-day squad, Shamrock Rovers confirmed the Students’ relegation with a comfortable victory at the UCD Bowl.

A stunning strike from Greg Bolger condemned Finn Harps to a relegation play-off following a turgid game at Tallaght Stadium.

You have to go back 88 days to find the last time Cork City ended an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match with three points. Summer has come and gone since, and alarmingly, a mini-revival by Finn Harps in the meantime has left the 2018 league and cup runners-up looking over their shoulders.

He may indeed relish the heat, but Dan Carr knows it’s all about Shamrock Rovers keeping cool heads in sweltering Nicosia tonight.

The oppressive heat and a wounded Apollon Limassol won’t faze Shamrock Rovers in next week’s Europa League return in Nicosia, insists veteran defender Joey O’Brien.

Dundalk may well enjoy playing on the Brandywell’s big pitch, but Declan Devine insists the league leaders won’t find his Derry City a soft touch when they revisit Foyleside tonight.

Kevin Toner’s first-half winner stretched St Patrick’s Athletic unbeaten run to four games as they dominated at the UCD Bowl.

Seán Gannon’s 73rd-minute goal was the difference at Tallaght last night, as Dundalk edged a nail-biting affair against Shamrock Rovers.

Ireland U21 manager Stephen Kenny has defended his decision to call-up League of Ireland players despite Stephen Bradley’s desire for them to be excluded.

It will be the first time since 2002 that Ireland have competed in the tournament.

Teenager Cian Bargary enjoyed a memorable league debut when scoring the only goal of the game to get Cork City back to winning ways at the UCD Bowl.

Clinical Bohemians saw off a first-half barrage from UCD to win 3-0 and move back into second place in the Premier Division.

A second-half implosion saw Cork City fall to their fifth league defeat of the season away to UCD last night.

New Ireland call-up Jack Byrne scored twice as leaders Shamrock Rovers left it late to overcome a spirited UCD side at Tallaght Stadium.

Republic of Ireland 3-0 Luxembourg

The only doubt Stephen Kenny has about Troy Parrott’s readiness for U21 action relates to the player’s current injury problems.

Two Airtricity League Premier Division games have been postponed due to international call-ups.

Brandon Kavanagh’s name will be etched in the history books as the player who scored the first goal of Stephen Kenny’s international coming but the hope is they work together again in a competitive setting.