League of Ireland Matchday 3 Round-Up
Despite multiple postponements, the League of Ireland still treated us to another fantastic night of Friday football. Here is how it all went down on Matchday 3. From shock defeats to surprise wins, it’s a joy to have the best league in the world back, and the best thing about it all is we’re only three match weeks into the campaign. Roll on the rest!
League Of Ireland Matchday Three
Galway United 2-1 Waterford
Waterford started where they left off last week with a goal within 20 minutes. Connor Parsons did brilliantly down the right-hand side and crossed to who else but Padraig Amond to hit home.
Galway had some great chances down the other end, with some last-ditch tackling keeping Waterford ahead going into the half.
Within three minutes, Galway had their equaliser as Aodh Dervin found Borden, and the American found the back of the net. Galway stayed on top and was rewarded when David Hurley struck a free-kick, which found its way through Sam Sargeants legs with ten to go. Although it was set for a grandstand finish, Waterford were not a threat, and Galway ran out comfortable victors.
Derry City 2-1 St. Pats
An early-season battle between two of the title hopefuls at the Brandywell. The first half was a dour affair, with both teams cancelling each other out for the majority. Despite little goal-mouth action, the St. Pats would’ve been happier going into halftime scoreless.
The second half was only two minutes old when Ruairi Keating fired St. Pats ahead with a terrific strike to get off the mark in the league for his new club. Going a goal behind seemed to spark Derry into life as they began to threaten the St. Pats goal more and eventually got back into the match in the 65th minute from a header from man of the match Patrick Hoban.
A big chance for Chris Forrester in the 86th minute was the final opportunity for Pats to take the lead, but drama was still to come. In additional time, Michael Duffy was sent down the wing, his cross was then expertly dummied by Paul McMullan before a quality finish from substitute Daniel Mullen sealed all 3 points for the candystripes.
Sligo Rovers 0-1 Shelbourne
Shelbourne continued their impressive start to the season with a one goal victory over relegation-candidate Sligo.
The home side showed real urgency in the opening minutes and threatened the Shels goal before the sole goal of the game was scored in the 12th minute with a set piece straight from the training ground. Right back Sean Gannon was key to the move, driving a one-touch strike goalwards that was deflected to the head of John O’Sullivan to open the scoring with a rare goal for the midfielder.
Sligo had thought they had gotten back into the match before halftime, only for referee Declan Toland to award a free-kick for a foul on Shels goalkeeper and man of the match Conor Kearns.
The bit o’red had a number of half chances to equalise, but Shelbourne always looked comfortable. Shelbourne did little to threaten doubling their lead throughout the rest of the match, prioritising keeping a clean sheet instead. Both teams will have contrasting aspirations for the season ahead, but it will be closer than first thought if tonight’s evidence is anything to go by.
League of Ireland First Division
In the First Division, Cork City beat U.C.D. in a close encounter. Cian Coleman scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for the Leesiders, despite a late red for Barry Coffey. Cathal O’Sullivan stole the show again with an audacious flick from the 16-year-old and a great overall display.
Yousef Mahdi scored the only goal in another 1-0 victory for league leaders Treaty United. Kerry F.C. once again played well but could not get their first points of the season.
Finn Harps ran out 2-0 winners against Athlone Town. Two first-half goals from Stephen Doherty and Success Edogun have moved the Harps up to second in the league despite their difficult fixtures so far.
That’s it for this week, and we hope the first League of Ireland Monday night games will be equally as exciting as we had on Friday.
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