All of the top four teams in the First Division recorded victories, as Limerick FC knocked five past SD Galway at Terryland Park
| Athlone Town 2-1 Mervue United |
| Two early goals were enough to see Athlone Town emerge victorious against Mervue United at Athlone Town Stadium. Tommy Barrett opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour, heading in Kevin Williamson's corner. The second goal arrived 10 minutes later. This time, Stephen Relihan got his head on the ball to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Brian Gill almost scored a third for Athlone, but saw Conor O'Malley react well to keep out his goalbound shot. Mervue United never looked out of the game, and hit the woodwork just before half time, as Shane Keogh's free kick came back off the upright. They searched for a goal in the second half, with Jason Molloy and Michael McSweeney going close, but by the time James Casserly's goal came it was too late for the visitors. The substitute headed in a 91st minute corner, but Athlone held on to win 2-1. |
| SD Galway 2-5 Limerick FC |
| SD Galway remain rooted to the bottom of the First Divison table despite scoring twice against Limerick FC at Terryland Park. The hosts took the lead on 15 minutes, as Luke McConnell volleyed in from long range. However, by the 30th minute, Limerick were ahead. First Stephen Bradley scored a long range effort of his own, and then James McGrath capitalised on poor defending. Enda Curran levelled the scores just before half time with a header, ending a breathless half with the sides tied. The second half was all Limerick, Denis Behan poking it in on 55 minutes, before McGrath doubled his tally for the evening. Pat Purcell finished things off with seven minutes remaining, giving Limerick FC a 5-2 win. |
| Waterford United 0-2 Longford Town |
| Two second-half goals saw Longford Town hold onto first place in the First Division, keeping them four points ahead of Limerick FC in the title race. Youngster Sean Maguire was heavily involved once again, and could have opened the scoring on the half-hour mark if it were not for the quick reactions of goalkeeper Craig Hyland. Packie Holden kept out Alan Kirby at the other end to leave the sides scoreless at half time. Maguire looked to have put the hosts in front on 64 minutes, but his shot went past Hyland and the post. Just a couple of minutes later, Longford took the lead. Austin Skelly met Keith Gillespie's corner to open the scoring. Longford easily could have had an equaliser, but the post kept out Mark Salmon, and Ben Ryan saw his shot saved by Hyland. Michael Lee grabbed a second in stoppage time to give Longford a 2-0 win, but Waterford were unlucky not to take something from the game. |
| Wexford Youths 3-0 Finn Harps |
| Wexford Youths recorded their sixth win of the season as they continued their impressive start with a comfortable 3-0 win over Finn Harps. The travelling fans knew they were in for a difficult night when Kevin McHugh picked up a straight red for what looked like a stamp after just four minutes. The card may have been harsh on the forward, and left Finn Harps a man down. Wexford had the lion's share of the possession for most of the game, and Danny Furlong was unlucky not to open the scoring on 15 minutes, seeing Ciaran Gallagher pull off a great save to keep out his looping header. Shane Nolan tried a hopeful effort from distance before half time, but saw his shot sail over the crossbar. The sides went in level at the break, but Wexford were dominating and always looked likely to score. They broke the deadlock on 64 minutes, when Tom Elmes headed in. Three minutes later, Finn Harps were down to nine men and a comeback looked impossible. Adam Clarke and James Dermody scuffled off the ball, and Clarke kicked out at the Wexford defender leading to another straight red card. Finn Harps didn't give up however, but their attacking left them exposed and allowed Danny Furlong to score from a quick counter attack. Aiden 'Roxy' Keenan added a third thanks to Mark Keenan's through ball just before full time to give Wexford an easy victory over an undisciplined Finn Harps side. |
