Shamrock Rovers put a terrible week off the pitch behind them tonight with a 3-2 victory over plucky Bray Wanderers at Dalymount Park tonight courtesy of a hat-trick from Northern Ireland U-21 international Pat McCourt.
Bray had gone ahead on 31 minutes against the run of play thanks to a Colin James header into the bottom of the net. Rovers were level within minutes thanks to a stunning strike from McCourt and he doubled his tally ten minutes later after beating four players and finishing low into the corner.
He completed his hat-trick on 54 minutes with a converted penalty. Wanderers pulled one back courtesy of Philip Keogh to make for an interesting last 15 minutes but at the end the Rovers fans finally had something to cheer about.
Rovers' landlords didn't fair as well on their trip to Belfield where they came away with a point from a 1-1 draw.
Stephen Ward put Bohemians ahead on 55 minutes when a Kevin Hunt shot was deflected into his path and he converted from the edge of the box with a scissors kick.
Twenty minutes later UCD got a deserved equaliser from the boot of Robby Martin and in the dying minutes Paul Byrne had an excellent chance to win it for the students when he was through one on one with Bohs keeper Seamus Kelly.
Results in full:
Premier League
Cork City 3-1 St Patrick's Athletic
Derry City 1-0 Waterford
Shamrock Rovers 3-2 Bray Wanderers
UCD 1-1 Bohemians
Shelbourne 3-0 Finn Harps
First Division
Dublin City 1-0 Athlone Town
Galway Utd 2-3 Cobh Ramblers