League of Ireland:Paddy Madden did his best to dispel haunting memories of an inglorious exit from Europe at the hands of The New Saints by laying the foundations for a convincing Bohemians win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds tonight.
The young striker scored twice in the first half before Killian Brennan’s goal sealed a 3-0 win over the league’s bottom side and lifted Bohs to within a point of second-placed St Patrick’s Athletic in the Airtricity League Premier Division.
Madden’s first came after nine minutes when he finished at the second attempt after Owen Heary headed a cross down into his path.
He doubled his tally five minutes later after beating the offside trap to latch on to Aaron Green’s pass and finish.
Killian Brennan added the third five minutes after the break. Following a short corner with Paul Keegan the midfielder cracked one in from distance and ended the contest.
The good news for Bray is that Drogheda United failed to increased their advantage of them at the bottom of the table after a 3-2 defeat to Sligo Rovers at Hunky Dorys Park.
The bad news is that the advantage is still 11 points and Drogheda look like a side with some fight left in them.
Glen Fitzpatrick got Drogs off to a promising start with a 14th minute opened but they were pegged back two minutes later when Joseph Ndo found the net for the visitors.
Padraig Amond then shot Rovers into the lead in the 35th minute but Drogs were level six minutes after the break through Ronan McEntegert.
A point looked on the cards for the homeside but Amond struck again with seven minutes left and the points went to Rovers who leapfrog Sporting Fingal into fourth place.
Premier Division
Bray Wanderers 0 Bohemians 3
Drogheda United 2 Sligo Rovers 3
First Division
Derry City 1 Salthill Devon 0
Limerick FC 1 Monaghan United 1
Waterford United 2 Longford Town 0
Athlone Town 1 Wexford Youths 1
Cork City Foras Co-op 2 Finn Harps 1