League of Ireland: Jack Byrne returns in Dalymount draw while Shels are held in Dundalk

Trevor Clarke of Shamrock Rovers in action against Brian McManus of Bohemians

Bohemians players, from left, and Bart Kukulowicz, Filip Piszczek and Kacper Chorazka

thumbnail: Trevor Clarke of Shamrock Rovers in action against Brian McManus of Bohemians
thumbnail: Bohemians players, from left, and Bart Kukulowicz, Filip Piszczek and Kacper Chorazka
Ben Blake

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.

Dylan O'Connell
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
Dylan O'Connell
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:
Galway United survive late Derry City rally to claim vital point
Galway United made it back-to-back games unbeaten against the Candystripes this season following this draw in Eamonn Deacy Park.
www.independent.ie
Dylan O'Connell
Here's our match report from Richmond Park, where the Saints picked up a much-needed result: 
Ruairi Keating strike earns St Pat’s welcome victory over Drogheda
A third goal of the season for Ruairi Keating earned St Patrick’s a welcome, if laboured, first win in a month.
www.independent.ie
Dylan O'Connell
Keith Long's men earned a first victory in four attempts after an initial delay in kick-off: 
Christie Pattison’s strike guides Waterford past Sligo Rovers after game delayed by turf war
Christie Pattison's second-half strike was the difference as Waterford beat Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds which sees the Blues move ahead of Rovers into seventh place in the table.
www.independent.ie
Dylan O'Connell
The Lilywhites followed their first win of the season up by holding the league leaders to a scoreless draw: 
Noel King and Dundalk make their point with draw against Shelbourne
Damien Duff said in his pre-match notes that this trip to Oriel Park would be the league leaders most difficult game in months.
www.independent.ie
Dylan O'Connell
Read Aidan Fitzmaurice's account of a Dublin derby in which neither team could muster up the winning goal: 
Jack Byrne returns after eight-month absence as Bohs and Rovers share spoils in Dublin Derby
They may see a 1-1 draw away to Bohemians as two points that got away from them, given their dominance, but champions Shamrock Rovers will take the fringe benefit of their injury situation improving as Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia both came off the bench, after long absences, to play a part.
www.independent.ie
Dylan O'Connell
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. 
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: Sligo Rovers 0-1 Waterford
Dylan O'Connell
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.
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: Galway United 0-0 Derry City 
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: Kerry 0-1 Cork City 
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: Cobh Ramblers 2-1 Bray Wanderers
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: UCD 1-0 Longford Town 
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: St Patrick's Athletic 1-0 Drogheda United
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: Wexford 2-2 Athlone Town 
Dylan O'Connell
Full-time: Finn Harps 1-0 Treaty United 
Dylan O'Connell
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. 
Dylan O'Connell
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.
Dylan O'Connell
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. 
Dylan O'Connell
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. 
Load more
TickarooLive Blog Software