League of Ireland: Tonight's action as it happened
Key updates
90+3' GOAL! Rory Gaffney adds the extras! Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 A long ball over the top is chased down by Micheal Noonan who gets to it just before Luke Dennison. It's brave from the 16-year-old who gets the flick on it before colliding with the Drogs shot-stopper. Rory Gaffney is afforded the easiest of tap-ins!
Shels snatch it late on! Shelbourne 2 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1 GOAL! Shelbourne. 2-1. Kerr McInroy wriggles free in the box to drill a left footer under the body of Joseph Anang. Good play from sub John O'Sullivan to help fashion the opportunity. Hell of a second half turnaround. - Dan McDonnell
Derry back in the ascendancy! Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 The travelling Candystripe fans celebrate as Danny Mullen, who was excellent in Derry's win over St.Pat's last Monday, fires Tiernan Lynch's side ahead with just 8 minutes of normal time remaining.
It's the Djenairo show once again! Cork City 1 - Derry City 1 Having netted a brace on bank holiday Monday, 23-year-old Dutch forward Djenairo Daniels has equalised for Tim Clancy's side in the 61st-minute at Turners Cross. The delivery from the left was inch perfect as Daniels raced in bravely to get the crucial touch.
53' GOAL! Lee Grace doubles the Hoops' lead! Shamrock Rovers 2 - Drogheda United 0 Jack Byrne puts it on a plate for Matt Healy on the edge of the box. Healy's shot is superbly saved by Luke Dennison who pushes it out for a corner. But hold on a minute! Jack Byrne's corner is on the money as Lee Grace finds space to plant his header inside the post. He and Roberto Lopes were queuing up to thump it home!
50' GOAL! Aaron Greene with a beauty! Shamrock Rovers 1 - Drogheda United 0 Lee Grace is the architect of the move as he plays a lovely ball from the right sideline up to Greene. The 35-year-old marksman takes a touch on his chest inside the box before lashing it past Luke Dennison with his weaker foot. That's his 101st-goal in the League of Ireland!
Shels equalise as Dan McDonnell reports! Shelbourne 1 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1 It's 1-1. Big moment in Tolka. Chris Forrester goes down injured in a freak accident trying to intercept a crossfield pass from Kerr McInroy. He stays down and Shels continue with the extra man. Evan Caffrey crosses for Harry Wood to score after Duff urges his Reds to keep playing. And that's the end of Forrester's contribution. Barry Baggley is introduced.
Waterford take the lead at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Galway United 0 The Blues take the lead against John Caulfield's side as Darragh Leahy converts in the 27th-minute. It's hard to see who actually got the final touch in Conan Noonan's corner, but Leahy claimed it anyway - why not! Centre-halves don't get to celebrate goals that often!
Melia magic opens the scoring in Drumcondra! Shelbourne 0 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1 It's 1-0 Pat's. Mason Melia breaks the deadlock - deserved after a spell where they've been on top. Sean Hoare nicked the ball from John Martin and Leavy laid the ball on for the Spurs bound striker who finishes really well. - Dan McDonnell
Derry stun Turners Cross into silence! Cork City 0 - Derry City 1 And suddenly we have the first goal of the Premier Division's Matchday 15 as Gavin Whyte sets up Liam Boyce for the opener. Cork goalkeeper Tein Troost will come into question again as he raced from his line to close Whyte down who got the cross away for Boyce to tap in. The Candystripes have been on fire lately and Tiernan Lynch will be delighted with that goal in the 24th-minute.
League of Ireland Premier Division (full-time)
Cork City 1 - Derry City 2
Shelbourne 2 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1
Waterford 1 - Galway United 0
Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0
League of Ireland First Division
Dundalk 2 - Bray Wanderers 2
Finn Harps 0 - Athlone Town 2
Kerry 1 - Treaty United 0
UCD 1 - Longford Town 1
Wexford 0 - Cobh Ramblers 2
2 minutes ago
Sean O'Connor puts the seal on things at Tallaght Stadium:
Full-time here in Tallaght and Shamrock Rovers have beaten Drogheda 3-0.
Two quick-fire goals from Aaron Greene and Lee Grace put the hosts in the driving seat and an injury-time strike by Rory Gaffney off the bench put the cherry on top.
Rovers go top (on goal difference) for the first time this season, after extending their unbeaten run over the Louth side to eight games.
3 minutes ago
Dan McDonnell signs off on yet another Dublin derby:
Full-time: Shelbourne 2 St Patrick's Athletic 1.
A hell of a second half turnaround. Pat's looked the part in the first half and had their chances in the second but they leave Tolka with nothing. Could be a big momentum win for Shels.
6 minutes ago
Full-time: All over in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers cruise to victory!
It was a routine night for Stephen Bradley's side in the end as second-half goals from Aaron Greene, Lee Grace and Rory Gaffney wrapped up the points.
'We are top of the league' is the cry from the Hoops' fans as their superior goal difference takes them past Derry City who are also on 26 points.
8 minutes ago
GOAL! Dundalk 2 - Bray Wanderers 2 (full-time)
Just as Ciaran Kilduff's side looked like they were about to taste a rare defeat, Sean Keogh finds substitute Gbemi Arubi to equalise in the 93rd-minute.
10 minutes ago
90+3' GOAL! Rory Gaffney adds the extras! Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0
A long ball over the top is chased down by Micheal Noonan who gets to it just before Luke Dennison. It's brave from the 16-year-old who gets the flick on it before colliding with the Drogs shot-stopper. Rory Gaffney is afforded the easiest of tap-ins!
Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X
Rory Gaffney makes it 3-0 after some good pressure from Michael Noonan!#LOI pic.twitter.com/0olYkoBaV9— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025
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12 minutes ago
90+1' Ed McGinty claims an easy cross on what has been a quiet night for the Hoops' goalkeeper. We will have 4 minutes of additional time to play in Tallaght.
Aaron Green, who netted his 101st League of Ireland goal is the Man of the Match!
14 minutes ago
Shels snatch it late on! Shelbourne 2 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1
GOAL! Shelbourne. 2-1. Kerr McInroy wriggles free in the box to drill a left footer under the body of Joseph Anang. Good play from sub John O'Sullivan to help fashion the opportunity. Hell of a second half turnaround. - Dan McDonnell
16 minutes ago
GOAL! Dundalk 1 - Bray Wanderers 2 (89 mins)
Unbelievable scenes in Oriel Park as the 10-men of Bray, who lost Cian Doyle to a second yellow card in the 68th-minute, have taken the lead late on!
Harvey Warren could be the hero on the night with the late goal for Wanderers!
19 minutes ago
84' Jack Byrne, who was excellent again tonight, is withdrawn alongside Josh Honohan. Cian Barrett is in for the Hoops, as is Victor Ozhianvuna.
25 minutes ago
Derry back in the ascendancy! Cork City 1 - Derry City 2
The travelling Candystripe fans celebrate as Danny Mullen, who was excellent in Derry's win over St.Pat's last Monday, fires Tiernan Lynch's side ahead with just 8 minutes of normal time remaining.
30 minutes ago
73' A couple of changes made by Stephen Bradley sees Micheal Noonan replace goalscorer Aaron Greene who receives a round of applause.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kieran Cruise is into the game for Drogheda.
32 minutes ago
GOAL! Finn Harps 0 - Athlone Town 2 (73 mins)
Athlone Town have doubled their lead in Ballybofey as Gideon Tetteh nets a second goal.
38 minutes ago
Dan McDonnell notes the love-hate relationship between Duffer and Mipo in the last few minutes:
The main stand in Tolka Park left in no doubt about Damien Duff's feelings about Mipo Odubeko attempting a short from 40 yards after Shels turned the ball over and found themselves in a 3 v 3.
'Mipo, F**k off' is the shout from the sideline. Minutes earlier, Duff encroached onto the pitch to give the striker a pat on the back in an attempt to encourage him to keep pressing.
Duff has just been yellow carded for leaving his technical area. He's not happy with the fourth official, arguing that he's not being as vigilant with the other bench. 'One f**king job' he screams at Oliver Moran.
40 minutes ago
63' Kevin Doherty has made a pair of changes in the last few minutes as he hopes to salvage something for Drogheda.
Thomas Oluwa and James Bolger have replaced George Cooper and Ryan Brennan.
43 minutes ago
It's the Djenairo show once again! Cork City 1 - Derry City 1
Having netted a brace on bank holiday Monday, 23-year-old Dutch forward Djenairo Daniels has equalised for Tim Clancy's side in the 61st-minute at Turners Cross.
The delivery from the left was inch perfect as Daniels raced in bravely to get the crucial touch.
League of Ireland on Twitter / X
The hosts are level!Djenaior Daniels on the scoresheet again to equalise for Cork City. pic.twitter.com/bwZd06wqyT— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 9, 2025
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48 minutes ago
Sean O'Connor shares his thoughts on a blistering few minutes for Stephen Bradley's side:
After 45 minutes of dominance in the first-half yielded no goals, it takes Rovers just four minutes after the restart to take the lead. A superb long ball by Lee Grace finds Aaron Greene who takes a touch and fires it into the net for his 101st LOI goal. What a finish!
And it's two goals in three minutes here for Rovers. Lee Grace provided the assist for the first but he's scored the second, heading home from a Jack Byrne corner. An absolutely perfect start to the second half for the hosts.
49 minutes ago
53' GOAL! Lee Grace doubles the Hoops' lead! Shamrock Rovers 2 - Drogheda United 0
Jack Byrne puts it on a plate for Matt Healy on the edge of the box. Healy's shot is superbly saved by Luke Dennison who pushes it out for a corner.
But hold on a minute! Jack Byrne's corner is on the money as Lee Grace finds space to plant his header inside the post. He and Roberto Lopes were queuing up to thump it home!
Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X
𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄! ☘️Great header to make it 2-0! #LOI pic.twitter.com/G1yCRGv5G8— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025
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52 minutes ago
50' GOAL! Aaron Greene with a beauty! Shamrock Rovers 1 - Drogheda United 0
Lee Grace is the architect of the move as he plays a lovely ball from the right sideline up to Greene.
The 35-year-old marksman takes a touch on his chest inside the box before lashing it past Luke Dennison with his weaker foot.
That's his 101st-goal in the League of Ireland!
Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X
𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 𝟏𝟎𝟏!Aaron Greene on target once again for @ShamrockRovers and what a finish that is! ☘️#LOI pic.twitter.com/FTLNbwuc3I— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025
55 minutes ago
48' Frustration for Drogheda to start the second half as Conor Kane gets in behind the Hoops' defence. He looked an acre onside but the linesman saw things differently! Kane is incensed at the decision.
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The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Rory Gaffney reveals fitness battle before leading Shamrock Rovers' title charge with crucial goals
The 35-year-old has fired Shamrock Rovers to the brink of another league title with ten goals and a relentless work ethic that has won the trust of boss Stephen Bradley RORY GAFFNEY admitted he had to sprint before he could think of another Shamrock Rovers' run. Gaffney, 35, moved the Hoops' a step closer to their fifth title in six years on Sunday night with two goals to beat Derry City at Tallaght Stadium. Advertisement 2 Rory Gaffney has ten goals in all competitions this season for the Hoops. 2 Gaffey bagged a double against Derry City on Sunday and chipped in during their Euro clash vs St Joseph's It gives them a ten-point lead at the top with ten games to go, with Gaffney a key man in that run as he has also scored pivotal winning goals against Waterford and Galway United. He has ten-goals in all competitions this season and has had boss Stephen Bradley singing his praises all year. Yet, when the season kicked off last February, Gaffney - from Tuam - was out of contract and training without pay in a bid to prove his fitness after a write-off of a 2024 season. An ankle problem meant his season ended last April, and Gaffney - who turned down two-year offers elsewhere to sign a one -year with the Hoops last year - had few options. Advertisement But Gaffney never had any doubt as he felt he just had to prove his fitness. He said: 'When you get a bit older people kind of question your age, but I lived a clean life for 10-15 years. 'I've never been a big drinker, I've always been mad into training and coming from a GAA background, you do plenty of gym work. 'I know I've been unlucky and had a lot of big injuries, but I've only had three or four muscle injuries in 10-15 years, so I've been very lucky like that. Advertisement 'I know last year I was injured but I was training non-stop, I just couldn't sprint, that was the issue. When I was sprinting I'd break down.' Eventually, he and the club decided an operation was required which ended any hopes of being involved in last year's run-in or Conference League campaign. Guehi & Eze to STAY at Palace? Transfer Blow for Liverpool & Arsenal! And Gaffney set out to get back fit and remain a Hoop. Boss Stephen Bradley revealed: 'I just trust Rory, I've known him a long time, I played with him (at Limerick in 2012 and 2013), I've known him a long, long time. Advertisement 'And Rory's…there's no grey area with Rory. He's straight down the line, he tells you what he's thinking, what he's feeling. 'We spoke (during the winter), he asked could he come back and prove himself in pre-season. 'And I said 'I'd love that', and he did. And he came back, did his work, and you could see he was ready to go. If he keeps going like that, there's another few years left in him.' Gaffney - who joined the Hoops in 2020 and was player of the year in 2022 - was also confident he would earn a new deal once he proved his fitness. Advertisement He added: 'I just knew I had to get fit. I played a game against Bohs U20s on the Friday night or Saturday night (before the season started) and just proved my fitness in that. 'I was able to run. I didn't touch the ball, but I was able to run. The gaffer saw I could run and said 'that's enough for me'. 'I haven't missed a training session since I signed this season. I haven't played a whole lot at the start of the season but I was doing a lot of extra training.' Rovers' still look after him as Gaffney - who has featured in 21 of the 27 games in all competitions when he was available - has played just one 90 minutes. Advertisement NOT DONE YET And the 35-year-old agreed with Bradley that he also believes he can continue on next season, pointing to 37-year-old Padraig Amond at Waterford as an example. He added: 'How I feel now, if it was the end of the season, there is no question that I could play again next year. 'I think it's taking it season by season but the last thing I want to be doing is travelling up and down from Galway knowing I'm not going to play, being poor in training and not impacting matches or not getting a game. 'I've had a good run at it now, I don't want to drag it on if there's no reason to.' Advertisement But Bradley insisted that Gaffney's knowhow means he can make an impact even if as he gets older having changed his game since his Limerick days over a decade ago. Bradley added: 'He was raw, Rory was all power and pace then. That's what he relied on. It was a dream to play him as a midfielder, but now his whole game is refined. 'That just comes with age, understanding, experience.' Gaffney added: 'The league was a different league back then and it was part-time and nowhere as fit, didn't train as much, never recorded games so you couldn't watch games back. Advertisement 'Now I won't be able to sleep as I can watch that game back before I go to bed and you can pick out things you haven't done well and things that have gone well and you can learn from that. 'I didn't really start watching games back until I was 26 which is crazy when you think about it but it shows how far the league has come.' And it has helped Gaffney become a firm favourite in Tallaght since arriving just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Injured in his first season, he was a key man as Rovers won four-in a row with titles added in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before he missed most of last season through injury. Advertisement And Gaffney is confident the Hoops can reclaim the title this season as they now lead second-placed Bohemians by ten points with ten games to go. TITLE CHARGE Gaffney added: 'We've 26 games played, and 52 points. That's two points a game, that normally wins the league. 'You don't want to be arrogant or disrespectful to other teams but we'd back ourselves now if everyone was starting on no points with ten games to go. 'Why wouldn't we back ourselves with a ten-point headstart, plus our goal difference? And all the teams have to play each other again, there is going to be a lot of six pointers.' Advertisement But before that, the Hoops are in European action this week as they travel to Kosovo to face Ballkani in the Conference League third round first leg. Rovers' hope to be at full strength with Graham Burke and Jack Byrne both not risked with small injuries against Derry City on Sunday.
RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Shamrock Rovers' Rory Gaffney: We'd back ourselves even without a 10-point lead
After scoring their winning goal away to Galway United back in early April, Shamrock Rovers striker Rory Gaffney said he'd be worried if he was one of the Hoops' competitors. Gaffney reiterated that sentiment on Sunday after his brace of goals delivered a 2-0 victory over Derry City, a result which pushed their lead out to 10 points with 10 games remaining in the season. Their bid for a historic five-in-a-row came a cropper last year after a chronic early summer injury crisis, which saw them fall miles off the pace. A late-season surge wasn't enough to reel in the wire-to-wire league leaders Shelbourne, who clung on to seal their first title in 18 years in dramatic circumstances. Drama may be in shorter supply in the 2025 run-in, however, with Stephen Bradley's side now overwhelming favourites to claim a fifth league title in six years and a 22nd in the club's history. "We spoke in Galway in April and I said I'd be worried if I was the other teams," Gaffney told RTÉ Sport's John Kenny after Sunday's statement win over Derry. "We were ahead of the curve. We're ahead of the curve again. We've 26 games played and we're on 52 points. Two points a game. That normally wins the league. "You don't want to be arrogant or disrespectful to any other team. But we'd back ourselves if everyone was starting on no points with 10 games to go. "So, why wouldn't we back ourselves with 10 games to go and a 10-point head start, plus our goal difference." "You don't want to be arrogant or disrespectful to any other team. But we'd back ourselves if everyone was starting on no points with 10 games to go." In the eyes of many observers, Sunday's 2-0 win over Derry slammed the door shut on the prospect of a close title race, even if Bradley sought to play down the idea. Following a strong burst of form in June, Tiernan Lynch's side had emerged as the likeliest threat to Shamrock Rovers but they've dropped points in the last few rounds and fell 11 points off the pace and behind Bohemians after the defeat on the weekend. Gaffney opened the scoring shortly after half-time, meeting Josh Honohan's cross at the back post. His second was more eye-catching, chasing Dylan Watts' ball down the left wing, cutting inside Alex Bannon and drilling a shot in off the far post. He said: "Wattsy gave me a look to say 'get on your bike'. Made the run down the side, it was a lovely ball. "I like to chop inside. He's (Bannon) a new defender to the league so he mightn't have seen that one before. He might be aware of it next time." Sunday's haul took Gaffney's tally of goals in the league to eight for the season. The 35-year old Tuam-born striker, who won the 2022 PFAI Player of the Year award, missed the vast majority of the 2024 campaign with injury and was forced to sit out the early part of this season. "I just tried to prove my fitness in January," he said. "I had a long year last year. I basically missed all of last season. I didn't want to be driving down the road from Galway, breaking down again and struggling to get to the level I needed to. "The only thoughts I had was trying to be fit and seeing if I could get back to the level that you need to be at to be a professional footballer in this league. "I'm delighted with how I'm feeling. I haven't missed a training session since I signed this season. "I haven't played a whole lot at the start of the season but I'd be doing a whole lot of extra training. "I've played one 90 (minute game) this season. I don't normally go past 60 or 70 minutes. "The last thing you want to do is pick up an unnecessary injury. Look at the bench that we have, the youth and the speed we have to come in, Michael (Noonan) and John (McGovern), I'm only happy to pass the baton onto one of them." In a commanding position in the league, Shamrock Rovers have two more rounds to navigate to the return to the Conference League league phase, which they qualified from so impressively in 2024. This week, they head for Kosovo for the first leg of their tie with Ballkani, with the winners facing the team to progress from the Larne-Santa Clara fixture. "It's a step into the unknown," he said "I don't think anyone has played a team from Kosovo before. I know a couple of their players were playing for Shkupi and Celje, teams we've come up against before. I'm sure they'll be good, they always are. "You don't know what you're going to get so there's always that bit of uncertainty in the first leg. "Over there, the weather is going to be warm. Thankfully, it's a grass pitch, not an astro this time. "We'd back ourselves that if we turn up, we'll give a good account of ourselves and be there or thereabouts. If we bring them back to Tallaght, we'll be a match for anyone."
The 42
8 hours ago
- The 42
Dundalk see off Longford to stay top while Cobh keep up chase with win over Wexford
A BRACE FROM Dean Ebbe helped Dundalk to maintain their six-point lead at the top of the League of Ireland First Division table. What a strike from Eoin Kenny! 😮 A brilliant half-volley finds the roof of the Longford Town net. — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 4, 2025 Eoin Kenny, with an impressive half-volley from the edge of the box, and Declan McDaid were also on target at Oriel Park as the home side beat Longford Town 4-1 today and secured their third consecutive league win as they seek to bounce back to the Premier Division at the first attempt. We take all six points from the double header! Match Partner 🤝 SBK#Cmonthetown | #DLK2025 — Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) August 4, 2025 Second-placed Cobh Ramblers kept the pressure on the Lilywhites with a 4-0 home victory over Wexford, to follow up on Friday night's home win against Longford Town. Advertisement First-half goals from Shane Griffin, Cian Coleman and Cian Murphy set the home side on their way at St Coleman's Park. It's been coming... Goal 🔵🟣 Shane Griffin ⚽ — Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) August 4, 2025 A James Crawford own goal completed the scoring and sets Ramblers in good stead as they head to the Carlisle Grounds to face third-placed Bray Wanderers on Friday night coming. Bray will go into that game two points behind the Cork side after a 2-2 draw away to Finn Harps today. It could have been a three-point gap as Cobh and Bray seek to secure the promotion play-off spot, at least, but for a Cian Curtis equalizer deep in stoppage time. Late drama in Donegal! 😮 Cian Curtis equalises for Bray Wanderers in the 98th minute! — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 4, 2025 Paul Murphy had got Wanderers back into the game with a 70th-minute goal after Harps had gone two-up thanks to a first-half goal from Tony McNamee and an own goal from James Duggan on 53 minutes. UCD remain in fourth spot following a 2-1 win away to Athlone Town, goals from Adam Brennan and Hugh Smith helped the Dublin outfit to overcome the setback of Cole Omorehiomwan's opener for Athlone. Ewan Lee struck with five minutes remaining to secure a 1-1 for Kerry against Treaty United in the Munster derby, Patrick Ferry on target for the home side at Market's Field after 65 minutes. How the table looks after this evening's round of fixtures! — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 4, 2025 Kerry are now one of three sides, including Finn Harps and Longford Town, on 25 points, ahead of last-placed Athlone on 17 points. Your August Bank Holiday results are in! ⚽ — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 4, 2025
