EIRCOM LEAGUE ROUND-UP:Galway United took a huge stride towards Premier League survival last night with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Finn Harps at a rain-lashed Terryland Park. The result sees Jeff Kenna's men swap places with the Donegal side, who now slip into the relegation zone, one point behind Galway.
An eight-minute spell at start of the second half changed the course of the game. Marc McCulloch got Galway's opener after a Seamus Conneely ball broke nicely for him just 90 seconds after the restart.
Despite the weather the home fans knew they were almost home and dry on 53 minutes when the excellent Jay O'Shea played in Alan Murphy to grab a second.
Galway did suffer a scare when Alan Keane headed off his own line from Conor Gethins and they wrapped up affairs in the dying seconds when John Lester's free-kick reached the back of the net with the aid of a deflection.
St Patrick's Athletic put a troubled few days behind them by closing in on second spot with a 2-0 victory over UCD at Richmond Park, a result that sees the students bow out of the top flight.
The Saints dominated from the first whistle and the only surprise was that it took until the stroke of half-time before they took the lead.
Ryan Guy supplied the pass for Keith Fahey to beat Matt Gregg in the College net to go in 1-0 up at the break.
UCD almost equalised on the hour when a long range effort from Shane McFaul was tipped over by Barry Ryan.
That was the home side's cue to up the tempo again as Alan Kirby combined well with man-of-the-match Fahey, before Kirby slammed home the return ball to secure the three points.
Shamrock Rovers celebrated their final home game in Tolka Park by denying Derry the three points they needed to keep in touch with the Saints.
Pádraig Ammond scored for Rovers after 13 minutes after goalkeeper Gerard Doherty had saved his first effort. Mark Farren levelled for the Candystripes 14 minutes later after he ran to Sammy Morrow's flick.
Clive Delaney stopped Rovers taking all three points, when his perfectly times tackle denied Mark Leech right at the death.
A late strike from defender Derek Pender helped Bray get the better of Drogheda United in a seven-goal thriller at the Carlisle Grounds.
Andy Myler opened the scoring for Bray after 11 minutes and they got a further boost on 23 minutes when Drogheda winger Shane Robinson was sent off for a second yellow card.
Drogheda were back on terms five minutes before the interval when Sam Ristilla got on the end of Declan O'Brien's free-kick, but they failed to hold out until half-time with Bray veteran Colm Tresson poking home from short range.
Last year's champions looked out of the game a minute after the restart when Alan Cawley's free-kick was adjudged to have been carried over the line by Drogheda goalkeeper Paul Skinner.
Goals from Brian Shelley and Richie Baker in the space of 12 minutes brought them level at 3-3. But Pender was to have the last say with eight minutes to play when he took a return pass from John Mulroy to score from 14 yards.
Sligo Rovers kept alive their hopes of European football next year as they took a point off Cork in a scoreless game at Turner's Cross.
Sligo remain a point behind Alan Mathews' side but finish with a home game against Bray Wanderers, while Cork must visit champions Bohemians.
A David McAllister penalty after 34 minutes saw Shelbourne go ahead of Dundalk at the top of the First Division table with a 1-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Waterford at the RSC.
Waterford remain in third spot after Sporting Fingal went down 1-0 at home to Monaghan United.
