A late goal from Luther Watson saw Galway United extend their lead at the top of the First Division table to three points after they beat an under-strength Kilkenny City in the top-of-the-table clash before the biggest crowd of the season at Terryland Park last night.
Galway dominated the first half and should have gone in at halftime at least a goal in front when their Barbadian striker, Eric Levine, was unlucky to see his fierce shot from the edge of the box crash back off the crossbar two minute before the interval.
Galway remained the better side and the breakthrough came on 77 minutes when Gareth Gorman played a sublime pass through to Watson who ran clear to shoot past John Connolly.
A late penalty equaliser from Roy Fox enabled Drogheda United to move into second place as they came from behind to earn a 1-1 home draw after substitute Colm Talbot gave St Francis a 66th minute.
Gavin Moore gave Home Farm/Everton an 11th minute lead at Whitehall and they went on to beat Monaghan United 2-1 to lift themselves out of the bottom two.
Darryl Mooney and recent signing John Flanagan combined to set up Moore from eight yards. Adrian Mooney wasted a chance to put Home Farm 2-0 up minutes later when heading over the bar from his brother, Darryl's, cross before Monaghan gradually got into the match.
A controversial penalty had Monaghan level within three minutes of the start of the second-half. Tom McGauley was penalised for a challenge on Colm Notaro and Karl Wilson scored from the spot.
But Home Farm will feel justice was done when they scored what proved the winner six minutes later when Adrian Mooney made amends for his earlier miss when he looped a header over Eddie Van Boxtel from Ian Fitzpatrick's cross.
Longford Town produced the performance of the night to bounce back from two bad defeats to beat Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at St Colman's Park. Vincent Perth shot them in front from a 25th minute penalty with Alan Merriman adding the second three minutes before half-time.
Limerick jumped off the bottom of the table after they beat Athlone with two late goals at St Mel's Park form Gareth Ryan and Paddy Doyle.
