Shamrock Rovers kept hot on the heels of Dundalk at the summit of the Premier Division with a deserved victory over relegation-threatened Finn Harps at Finn Park.

In a week that began in abject defeat to Derry City at the same venue, St Patrick’s produced one of their best displays of the campaign back at Richmond Park to mark the news on Thursday that they look to have a back door entry into the Europa League this summer.

Despite the fixture coming in the middle of their Europa League double header with AEK Larnaca, Dundalk showed their commitment to domestic affairs by overtaking champions Cork City once more after the Rebels had moved two points clear.

Bohemians 1 Shamrock Rovers 1

A 50th league goal for Robbie Benson and a first for Marco Tagbajumi proved decisive as Dundalk put a massive dent in Waterford FC’s title challenge by strengthening their position at the top of the table at Oriel Park last night.

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Sligo Rovers 0

Ireland 3 Iceland 1: Derry City midfielder Rory Hale took just 14 seconds to mark his international U21 debut last night with a goal by firing Ireland on the way to victory against Iceland.

Shamrock Rovers 6 Bray Wanderers 0: Goals on their full debuts for new signings Dan Carr and Sean Kavanagh, and a brace from Brandon Miele, helped get Shamrock Rovers’ season up and running with a first win of the campaign.

Shamrock Rovers 1 St Patrick’s Ath 1: Chris Fagan’s second-half equaliser last night lifted St Patrick’s Athletic off the bottom of the Premier Division as indiscipline once again plagued Shamrock Rovers.

Galway United moved off the bottom of the Premier Division last night after their seventh draw of the season, but it could have been so much more if referee Rob Hennessy had taken a different view of a controversial incident in the fifth minute. 

Galway United 3 Finn Harps 2