Eircom League: Shelbourne extend lead at the top

Shelbourne extended their lead at the top of the Eircom Premier Division to

12 points with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over third-placed Bray Wanderers

last night.

After a scoreless first half, Richie Foran broke the deadlock

with a brilliant strike. Shels' James Keedy doubled the home side's

advantage ten minutes later. Bray came back into it through Barry O'Connor

but Foran's second made sure of the win -- however Colm Tresson grabbed a late goal to make it a nervous final few minutes for Shelbourne.

In the only other Premier Division game of the night, Galway United and Finn

Harps shared the points at Terryland Park. Alan Murphy's stunning

right-foot shot gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute. Shane

Bradley got the equaliser for the Donegal men. The 1-1 draw leaves both

sides still struggling in the bottom half of the table.

Waterford United maintained their challenge for the First Division title

with a 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers. There are now just eight points

separating themselves and leaders Athlone Town.

Limerick's clash with strugglers Drogheda United was postponed due to an

unplayable pitch.