Airtricity League round-up:Goals from substitute Billy Dennehy and another assured penalty strike from Stephen O'Donnell earned Shamrock Rovers a 2-1 win over Dundalk at Oriel Park as the champions went two points clear at the top of the Premier Division table.
Rovers boss Michael O’Neill threw night signings Rohan Ricketts and Jim Paterson straight into his starting side as he prepares for a hectic schedule after the club’s qualification for the Europa League.
After taking time to adjust to the artificial surface, Ricketts started to show some good touches, but Dundalk defender Colin Hawkins dealt well with anything that came his way.
O’Neill introduced Dennehy at half-time for Gary McCabe and the winger got straight to the pace of the game to liven up Rovers going forward.
And just short of the hour he made the breakthrough after Ricketts played a fine ball across to the far post for Dennehy to fire home from a tight angle.
Ciaran Kilduff had only replaced Gary Twigg when he got on to the end of a Ricketts pass only to be barged over by Carl McHugh in the box after 74 minutes.
After his heroics in Belgrade there was nobody else going to take the penalty and O’Donnell drilled it straight down the middle as Peter Cherrie dived to his left.
Rovers got a scare late on when the in-form Mark Quigley headed home his sixth goal in six games but there was not enough time for the home side to claim an equaliser.
Derry Cityhad briefly gone top earlier in the day after a 1-1 draw against Sligo Roversat the Showgrounds, although the home side felt they were denied a valid penalty when Eoin Doyle was pulled back in the box late on.
Joseph Ndo gave Sligo the lead on 14 minutes with a fantastic long-range strike, but their early dominance ended as Derry grew into the game, who equalised on the counter-attack.
There was also an element of luck involved, with Stephen McLaughlin shot taking a deflection off Gavin Peers to beat Brendan Clarke in the Sligo goal after 41 minutes.
Peers made amends with a goal-line clearance from an Eamon Zayed effort but the second half was lighter on incident, with Mark Farren’s return to competitive action in a Derry shirt following serious illness greeted by a standing ovation from the supporters.
St Patrick's Athleticmoved to within a point of Sligo Rovers in third place as they enjoyed a 6-1 victory over Galway Unitedat Richmond Park.
Sean O’Connor scored at the beginning and the end of the first-half, with Stephen Bradley, from the penalty spot, and Danny North also scoring in the opening 45 minutes as they secured the points.
North grabbed a second on 76 minutes before Paul Crowley brought up the half-dozen four minutes later. Paul Sinnott scored almost straightaway for the Tribesmen but their miserable season continues.
Bohemianscompleted a 2-1 victory over Bray Wanderersat Dalymount Park that leaves them eight points clear of Dundalk in fifth position.
Anto Flood scored their opener 15 minutes into the second-half and Aidan Downes doubled the lead on 72 minutes before David Webster grabbed a consolation goal for the Seagulls with nine minutes to go.
The most exciting game took place at the Belfield Bowl this evening as UCDscored three times in the final 10 minutes to beat Drogheda United5-4.
Paul Corry and Samir Belhout had put the Students 2-0 up inside the opening 25 minutes. Philip Hand missed a penalty for the visitors on 36 minutes but Gavin Brennan gave them hope when he scored just before the interval.
And three goals in six minutes around the hour mark from Jordan White, hand and Lee Lynch gave them a 4-2 lead.
But in a remarkable finish to the game, Darren Meenan scored on 80 minutes, Robert Creevy equalised on 84 and Graham Rusk scored the winner with a minute of normal time left.
Philip Hughes scored both goals as Shelbourneextended their lead at the top of the First Division with a 2-0 victory over Wexford Youthsat Tolka Park.
They now lead by eight points from Cork City, who could only draw 3-3 earlier in the day at home to Limerick FC.
TODAY'S RESULTS
PREMIER DIVISION
Sligo Rovers 1 Derry City 1
Dundalk 1 Shamrock Rovers 2
Bohemians 2 Bray Wanderers 1
St Patrick's Athletic 6 Galway United 1
UCD 5 Drogheda Utd 4
FIRST DIVISION
Cork City 3 Limerick FC 3
Salthill Devon 1 Athlone Town 3
Longford Town 2 Mervue Utd 0
Finn Harps 0 Monaghan Utd 0
Shelbourne 2 Wexford Youths 0
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