Soccer - League of Ireland:Shamrock Rovers were convincing 4-1 winners over Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium tonight. The performance suggests the Premier League leaders have what it takes to win a first title in 16 years.
Michael O’Neill were afforded the luxury of taking off star striker Gary Twigg before half time but not after the Scot assisted in two goals for the home side.
Results elsewhere mean Rovers now lead St Patrick’s Athletic, who were held to a 0-0 draw against Sligo Rovers, and Bohemians, 2-1 winners away to Dundalk, by five points at the top of the table.
Rovers’ fans didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal as the early pressure told. The luckless Sean Houston turned the ball into his own net after Matt Gregg had failed to deal with Billy Dennehy’s low cross.
Stephen Rice doubled the lead on 23 minutes, running onto a Twigg pass and slotting the ball past Gregg. The Scottish striker then struck for his twelfth goal of the season with a neat finish from Danny Murphy’s cross.
James Chambers was denied a fourth by Gregg and Dean Zambra’s goal line clearance, but Twigg slotted home Neale Fenn’s delightful through ball to end the first half on a high.
Fenn could have added a fifth for Rovers, but was denied by Gregg but it was Bray who were to complete the scoring with Gary Dempsey pulling a consolation goal back in the 89th minute with a low drive.
Airtricity League
Premier Division
Dundalk 1-2 Bohemians
Galway United 2-1 Drogheda United
St Patrick's Athletic 0-0 Sligo Rovers
UCD 1-2 Sporting Fingal
Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Bray Wanderers
First Division
Cork 0-1 Waterford United
Limerick 0-1 Derry City
Monaghan United 2-0 Longford United
Finn Harps 3-2 Salthill Devon