Sligo Rovers maintain relentless march to league title

Sligo Rovers beat Bohemians 3-1 at the Showgrounds to maintain their relentless march to a first league title in 35 years as they opened up a nine points lead at the top of the Premier Division table.

In-form striker Mark Quigley put Sligo in front from a Lee Lynch pass from the right on 12 minutes and Ian Baraclough's side never looked back.

Raffaele Cretaro doubled the lead in the 26th minute as Sligo turned on the syle in front of another big home crowd.

Sligo's excellent football got further reward seven minutes before the interval when midfielder Lee Lynch got his second goal of the season to make it 3-0 at the break.

Bohemians got some reward for their efforts with Keith Ward slotting home their consolation goal three minutes into added time at the death.

Terrific second half goals from Sean O’Connor, Jake Kelly and Vinny Faherty gave St. Patrick’s Athletic a 3-0 win over Derry City at Richmond Park.

The victory edges Liam Buckley’s side back up to third place in the table ahead of Shamrock Rovers on goal difference.

Following an open first half, Saints got their deserved lead goal 12 minutes into the second.

Left-back Ian Bermingham began the move breaking from defence. He fed James Chambers who put the ball wide left to Christy Fagan whose low cross was swept home by O’Connor.

Saints sealed their win on 86 minutes. Substitute Chris Forrester broke on the right to put over the perfect pacey, low cross to the back post for the in-rushing Kelly to blast to the net.

Faherty then added a stunning third with a dipping volley two minutes into stoppage time to register his first goal since returning to the club.

In the delayed FAI Ford Cup third round tie, Waterford United were stunned 4-0 at home by Mervue United in an all First Division clash at the RSC. Galway side Mervue now meet Derry City at the Brandywell in the quarter-finals.