League of Ireland: Jack Byrne returns in Dalymount draw while Shels are held in Dundalk
It’s the big one tonight in the League of Ireland as arch rivals Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers go head-to-head at Dalymount Park.
Ben Blake brings you all the action from the five matches around the country.
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Tonight's results:
Premier Division
Bohemians 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Dundalk 0-0 Shelbourne
Galway United 0-0 Derry City
Sligo Rovers 0-1 Waterford
St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Drogheda United
First Division
Cobh Ramblers 2-1 Bray Wanderers
Finn Harps 1-0 Treaty United
Kerry 0-1 Cork City
UCD 1-0 Longford Town
Wexford 2-2 Athlone Town
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It ended in a stalemate at Eamonn Deacy Park, where Loughrea native Pat Hoban didn't get much change out of the Galway United defence:
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Here's our match report from Richmond Park, where the Saints picked up a much-needed result:
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Keith Long's men earned a first victory in four attempts after an initial delay in kick-off:
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The Lilywhites followed their first win of the season up by holding the league leaders to a scoreless draw:
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Read Aidan Fitzmaurice's account of a Dublin derby in which neither team could muster up the winning goal:
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Tonight's Premier Division action at a glance:
- Shelbourne remain two points ahead of Shamrock Rovers at the top following draws for both.
- Hoops welcome back Jack Byrne following eight months on the sidelines.
- Pat's go ahead of Galway, who drew with Derry, thanks to their 1-0 win at Richmond Park.
- Waterford seal three points on the road to overtake tonight's opponents, Sligo, and move into seventh.
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Full-time: Sligo Rovers 0-1 Waterford
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Full-time: Bohemians 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Here's Aidan Fitzmaurice: Final whistle at Dalymount Park and it's a 1-1 draw that Rovers will feel was there for the winning but the sight of Jack Byrne on the field for the first time this season is a huge plus.
Here's Aidan Fitzmaurice: Final whistle at Dalymount Park and it's a 1-1 draw that Rovers will feel was there for the winning but the sight of Jack Byrne on the field for the first time this season is a huge plus.
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Full-time: Galway United 0-0 Derry City
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Full-time: Kerry 0-1 Cork City
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Full-time: Cobh Ramblers 2-1 Bray Wanderers
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Full-time: UCD 1-0 Longford Town
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Full-time: St Patrick's Athletic 1-0 Drogheda United
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Full-time: Wexford 2-2 Athlone Town
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Full-time: Finn Harps 1-0 Treaty United
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Full-time: Dundalk 0-0 Shelbourne
Seán O'Connor was watching this one: It has finished goalless between Dundalk and Shelbourne. The Oriel Park faithful applauded their side off the pitch after a fine performance in which they limited the league leaders to very few opportunities in front of goal.
Sean Boyd went close to a late winner but was denied by a strong hand from George Shelvey, but Dundalk were full value for the point and did go close to a winner themselves several times.
Shels retain their two-point at the summit while Dundalk cut the gap on ninth placed Drogheda to two, ahead of a huge Louth derby on Monday.
Seán O'Connor was watching this one: It has finished goalless between Dundalk and Shelbourne. The Oriel Park faithful applauded their side off the pitch after a fine performance in which they limited the league leaders to very few opportunities in front of goal.
Sean Boyd went close to a late winner but was denied by a strong hand from George Shelvey, but Dundalk were full value for the point and did go close to a winner themselves several times.
Shels retain their two-point at the summit while Dundalk cut the gap on ninth placed Drogheda to two, ahead of a huge Louth derby on Monday.
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Travelling Shamrock Rovers fans will be happy to see two important players return to the pitch tonight, as Aidan Fitzmaurice explains:
Still 1-1 at Dalymount Park, with an attendance of 4,429, but there's good news for Shamrock Rovers as Neil Farrugia and Jack Byrne are off the bench and into the fray, Farrugia's first game since a shoulder injury on the opening day of the season and a first outing for Byrne since September.
Still 1-1 at Dalymount Park, with an attendance of 4,429, but there's good news for Shamrock Rovers as Neil Farrugia and Jack Byrne are off the bench and into the fray, Farrugia's first game since a shoulder injury on the opening day of the season and a first outing for Byrne since September.
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All-square at Ferrycarrig Park
Athlone Town could hold out for a point after coming up with a leveller away to Wexford. It was an own goal by Owen Mason and that game is now 2-2.
Athlone Town could hold out for a point after coming up with a leveller away to Wexford. It was an own goal by Owen Mason and that game is now 2-2.
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Late winner for Harps?
81 minutes have been played at Finn Park and Tony McNamee has scored to make it 1-0 to the home side, who are facing Treaty United.
81 minutes have been played at Finn Park and Tony McNamee has scored to make it 1-0 to the home side, who are facing Treaty United.