Derry City bounced back from their Setanta Cup disappointment with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Monaghan United in Gortakeegan last night.

Monaghan United officials declared their intent to fulfil their fixtures this season despite a cash-flow crisis which as engulfing the club.

Veteran striker Jason Byrne struck in the 86th minute as Bray Wanderers snatched all three points at Gortakeegan.

Christy Fagan missed a late penalty for St. Patrick's Athletic as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the match of the night at top of the table Sligo Rovers.

Sligo Rovers are hoping to extend their three-point lead at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division when they play host the only other unbeaten side in the division, St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds tonight (7.05pm).

Mick Cooke will make his first return to Gortakeegan since stepping down to take over at Drogheda United at the beginning of the 2011 season as his side face Monaghan United tonight (kick off: 8pm)..

Champions Shamrock Rovers stayed top of the Premier Division table after a resounding 4-0 win over old rivals Shelbourne before a packed Tallaght Stadium.

Unbeaten Sligo Rovers travel to Gortakeegan expecting a tricky assignment against newly promoted Monaghan, who have got off to a solid start to life in the top flight.

Monaghan go into tonight's game against St Patrick’s Athletic without the services of four key players.

Gary Twigg worked the oracle once again for Shamrock Rovers with a brace as the champions came from behind to win 2-1 at Drogheda United.

It won’t be what pretenders to their throne want to hear on the eve of the new season, but three-in-a-row-chasing Shamrock Rovers are as driven as ever, according to striker Gary Twigg.

Galway United v Monaghan United

AS THEY say in political backrooms: you campaign in poetry and govern in prose.

FIRST DIVISION Monaghan United produced the classier football to take command of this Airtiricity League promotion/relegation playoff at Gortakeegan, goals from Michael Isichei and Sean Brennan giving Galway United a mountain to scale in Friday’s second leg at Terryland Park.

Monaghan United entertain Galway United in tonight’s Airtricity League promotion/relegation play-off first leg at Gortakeegan, kick-off 7.45pm.

SHELBOURNE manager Alan Mathews has explained why he declined to talk to the media immediately after his side lost the First Division title to a late Cork City goal at Tolka Park on Saturday night.

MONAGHAN UNITED will meet Galway United in the promotion-relegation play-off this week after finishing third in the First Division.

SUDDENLY, it has all become crystal clear: Cork City will travel to Tolka Park next Saturday knowing that a win against Shelbourne will deliver the First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division.

THE penultimate night in the Airtricity League could see Shamrock Rovers crowned champions for the second year in succession — without even having to kick a ball.

LIMERICK FC kept their promotion hopes very much alive with a 6-0 rout of basement boys Wexford Youths at Jackman Park last night.

EUROPA LEAGUE football is coming home for Shamrock Rovers after UEFA yesterday gave the thumbs up for the club’s group stage games to be played at Tallaght Stadium, beginning with the match against Rubin Kazan next Thursday.

Monaghan United 0 Sligo Rovers 4

IT’S a case of contrasting fortunes on the venue front for Irish football, with Barcelona officially ruled out as the location for Ireland’s game against Andorra in October but Shamrock Rovers thrown a lifeline which means they still hope to stage their Europa League games in Tallaght.

Sligo Rovers 0 Monaghan United 0

LIMERICK kept their promotion dream well and truly alive as a brace from Denis Behan inflicted a 10th league defeat on Waterford United in a disappointing all-Munster clash at the RSC last night.

SLIGO ROVERS take a one-point lead in the Airtricity League Premier Division to Terryland Park tonight, with Galway’s ongoing woes and Sligo’s seven-game unbeaten run all seeming to point to an away victory.

SHELBOURNE moved seven points clear in the First Division but it took a controversial Philly Hughes penalty to separate them from nearest rivals Monaghan in a tense duel at Gortakeegan.

CORK CITY dug deep to preserve their unbeaten First Division record against Monaghan United at Gortakeegan despite being reduced to ten men for the last half hour by Gavin Kavanagh’s sending off.

FABIO O’BRIEN hit a hat-trick as confident Monaghan United turned on the class to brush aside the challenge of Munster Senior League side Everton at Gortakeegan.

IT’S a three-way tie at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division and, tonight, Sligo Rovers, Derry City and reigning champions Shamrock Rovers will all be seeking to break the deadlock.

SHANE TRACY notched a brace as Limerick FC romped to victory in their first home First Division match of the season at Jackman Park last night.

AFTER surviving their close season of discontent, Bohemians will be anxious to maintain a winning start to the Airtricity League when they host Drogheda United this evening.

Bray Wanderers and Monaghan United resume their battle for a place in next season’s Airtricity League Premier Division at the Carlisle Grounds tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

IT’S all or nothing in the second leg of the Premier Division/First Division play-off at the Carlisle Grounds tonight as Bray Wanderers and Monaghan United battle it out in the last league game of the season (7.45pm).

Monaghan United and Bray Wanderers commence their two-legged battle for a place in the 2011 Airtricity League Premier Division at Gortakeegan tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

THE clock starts on 180 minutes of destiny for Monaghan United and Bray Wanderers this evening as the first leg of the Airtricity League promotion/relegation play-off kicks off at Gortakeegan (7.45pm).

Finn Harps 1 Cork City Foras Co-Op 0

THEY might have fallen to Sligo in the EA Sports Cup semi-final but Shamrock Rovers still have their eyes on the big prize.

MONAGHAN UNITED fly the flag for the First Division in the EA Sports Cup last four this evening when they host local rivals Dundalk at Gortakeegan (kick-off 8pm).

MANAGER Tommy Dunne is set to name his strongest side this evening when Cork City host Division One leaders Derry City in one of the biggest games of the season so far at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm).

Monaghan United 1 Bohemians 1 (After extra-time: Monaghan win 4-3 on pens)

NEW Airtricity League-leaders Dundalk take their narrow advantage to Morton Stadium tonight for a tough assignment against third-placed Sporting Fingal (kick-off 7.45pm).