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SHELBOURNE WILL TAKE a slender advantage into the final two games of a pulsating SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title race as four contenders kept alive their title ambitions with victories on Friday night.
Damien Duff’s Shels ended their six-game winless run to lead the way by two points after they came from behind to beat Waterford 3-1 at Tolka Park.
There was late drama for the longtime leaders as Seán Boyd and Liam Burt struck inside the final 10 minutes to seal three pivotal points for the hosts, this after Boyd had earlier cancelled out a Waterford penalty by Padraig Amond.
Derry City, meanwhile, occupy second spot on goal difference from Shamrock Rovers after the Candystripes earned a 2-0 win away to Dundalk.
Victory for Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side was sealed with goals in either half by Colm Whelan and Will Patching (penalty), and it also condemned Dundalk to relegation from the top flight.
Champions Shamrock Rovers remain in the hunt for a historic five-in-a-row, with Stephen Bradley’s men level on points with Derry City after a late Dylan Watts screamer earned them a 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Drogheda United.
St Patrick’s Athletic’s remarkable upturn in fortune under former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny continued, meanwhile, as they saw off fellow European-football chasers Galway United 2-1 at Richmond Park.
A 50th-minute Edward McCarthy thunderbolt drew visitors United level after Aidan Keena’s first-half opener, but Keena struck again on 67 minutes to move Saints three points clear of John Caulfield’s westerners and end United’s outside chance of winning the league.
While Shelbourne’s victory means that the title is now also likely beyond St Pat’s in that they trail the leaders by four points with two games to go, Kenny’s side still have European qualification within their control.
Saints host Derry City next Friday, against whom victory would see them enter the European spots with a game to go. Derry then welcome Shelbourne to the Ryan McBride Brandywell on the final day of the season, Friday 1 November.
For full coverage from tonight’s League of Ireland Premier Division games, visit The 42
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Rovers win their last 2 games and they complete the history making 5 in a row, imo. Derry to still play Pats, who are flying, and Shels v Derry on the last day of the season. An exciting end to the LOI season!
@Barry Murphy: this is the most exciting title run in for years. Great entertainment.
Stephen Kenny is doing incredible things with Pats, what next for him ?
@RIP: the league title next season…put your house on it!
@RIP: Give him back the Irish job
@RIP: the ireland job
@RIP: that is his level
J B ,
VERY SAD PERSON
All the people travelling to UK to support their team.All the stay at home supporters that go to their local.The fans of these English clubs laugh at the people (how could you call them fans ) arriving in their fancy overpriced gear with a club logo to watch mostly boring matches. This is typical of our inferior mentality.The English laugh and welcome them because the pay big money to these clubs and reduce the cost to the true supporters who live and love the history of their club.Some can’t afford to go every week because of the imports on the hoof of the sheep who actually believe they are wanted there.Its a money game.Look at the owners lifestyle
@Stephen Byrne: the whole sport is a marketing scam. Doesn’t matter if you’re in Manchester, Athlone or Wanna Eikel. Sit, down, have a cuppa cha, and watch the hurling. Embrace the enlightenment!
A great little league. Sad to see Dundalk go down. But city coming back up will add to the excitement
In all fairness, you’re all a pack of tools…
As I said
Sad
Thunderbolt? Jeepers I hope everyone’s okay.
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