Veteran Kirby keeps Longford in pole position
Longford took the lead on 31 minutes, with Daniel Purdy drilling home.
However, Wexford Youths who had striker Danny Furlong sent off on a straight red after 14 minutes, were level two minutes later through a Shane Dempsey penalty.
Longford had to wait until the 71st minute to regain the lead, when Kirby fired past a helpless Graham Doyle.
Longford finished with ten players after Keith Gillespie was red-carded on 80 minutes.
WEXFORD YOUTHS: Doyle; Brian Nolan, Carr, C J Browne, Dermody (Phelan 84); Shane Nolan (Broaders 70), Dempsey, Malone, Keenan, Elmes, Furlong.
LONGFORD TOWN: Hyland; James, Haverty, Deans, Crawley; Kirby, Gillespie, Sammon (Lee 65), Bermingham; Shaw, Purdy.
Referee: J McKell (Tipperary).
By Ray Scott
Waterford United preserved their 100% unbeaten home record with a hard-fought victory over SD Galway at a wet and cold RSC.
The home side went ahead just before the half hour when Eugene Greaney fouled Gary Dempsey outside the area. He received a yellow card for the tackle but Dempsey punished SD even further when he fired a wonderful 25 yard free-kick.
SD Galway hit back and the Paul Carey did well to block a Michael Gilmore header on the goal line while Enda Curran’s powerful shot crashed back off the upright.
In the second half Waterford pressed for a second with Grant diving full length to turn away a Ryan shot and Seamus Long flashing a snap shot past the upright.
WATERFORD UNITED: P Holden, P Carey, D Mernagh, G Dempsey, C Burns, S Long, B Ryan, G Dunphy, WJ Kiely (P Keegan 87), P Higgins, P Phelan
SD GALWAY: L Grant, P Quinlan, T Bradshaw, E Browne, C Fadden, E Greaney, R Conlon (E Dusi 74), M Tierney, M Gilmore, E Curran, B Gaffney (C Burke 89).
Referee: K Callnan (Cork).
By Kevin Egan
Heroics from Noel McGee and Pat Jennings were crucial as Athlone Town recorded a home win.
Jennings made three excellent saves to deny Harps, while McGee’s showed precision and composure with his two strikes.
Athlone went ahead in the 68th minute. Ciarán Coll’s attempted clearance was blocked by Athlone’s Mark Sherlock, who set up McGee to fire home.
McGee’s second came on 77 minutes, curling home a free-from the edge of the box.
ATHLONE TOWN: P Jennings, J Woods, R Kenny, T Barrett, B McCarthy, M Walshe, D Coleman, J Hughes, G Broughall, M Sherlock, N McGee. Subs: K Williamson for Walshe, P Danaher for Barrett, N Scullion for Broughall.
FINN HARPS: C Gallagher, J Doherty, C Coll, A O’Hagan, T McMonagle, H Carlin, A Clarke, T McBride, B Curtis, K McHugh, S O’Donnell. Subs: C Greene for O’Donnell, T Bonnar for Carlin.
Referee: Adriano Reale.
By Bill Kiely
Shane Tracy came off the bench to slot home a penalty winner for Limerick FC at Fahy’s Field last night.
Joe Gamble’s early goal for Me edged the visitors in front after 16 minutes, but Mervue got back on level terms after 64 minutes with a penalty from Pat Hoban.
The lead lasted just seven minutes, with Tracy scoring from the spot after Paudie Quinn was fouled in the box.
MERVUE UNITED: Forde; Molloy, McSweeney, Farrell, Elwood, Walsh; Varley, Nkololo, McEntee, Lee (Dravins, 65); Hoban.
LIMERICK FC: Ryan; Bhandarkar, Guthrie, Purcell, Tracey; Gamble, McGann (O’Leary, 81), O’Brien, Quinn (Behan, 75); Foley, Gaffney (Tracy, 68).
Referee: K O’Regan.
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