Drogheda are tops

DROGHEDA United went two points clear at the top of the First Division table after a single goal win over struggling St Francis at Baldonnel yesterday.

Michael Harte got the only goal of the game in the 65th minute when heading home a Declan Roche free kick. It was no more than Drogheda's second half dominance deserved.

Drogheda, in fact, could have put this game beyond St Francis's reach inside the opening half hour. Brian Honan and Darrel Mooney missed two clear cut chances, while Alan Murphy forced the save of the match from Gary Matthews in the St Francis goal.

St Francis came into the game in the 15 minutes before half time to enjoy their best spell of the match, but Alan Mullen fluffed their best opening seven minutes before halftime when shooting wide after Thomas Clarke had done so well to set him up.

Drogheda took total control throughout the second half and Roche was unlucky with a spectacular 25 yard effort on 61 minutes before setting up the winning goal far Harte four minutes later.

Meanwhile, flying winger Paul Carr scored twice inside the opening five minutes to give Limerick a much needed 2-1 win over promotion candidates Athlone Town at Hogan Park.

Carr caught Athlone goalkeeper John Connolly off his line to chip him from 25 yards after just two minutes. Three minutes later Dave Connell and Howard King combined toe set up Carr with a simple tap in for his second goal.

Athlone were given hope on 76 minutes when Michael Boyle crossed for Martin McDonnell to head home, but Limerick kept their composure and their match winning lead.

Surprise packets Longford Town maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable 3-1 defeat of bottom of the table Monaghan United at Strokestown Road on Saturday night to put them second in the table.

Longford born Mark Devlin gave Monaghan an 18th minute lead when Longford goalkeeper "Anthony Keena fumbled his free kick into the net. Veteran Ronnie Murphy had Longford level when be blasted home from close range in the 31st minute.

Longford took control of the game in the second half and Damien Dunleavy, the division's top scorer, scored his fifth goal of the season to put them ahead within four minutes of the restart. Longford all but wrapped up the three points a minute later when Kieran Rooney's shot squirmed under Monaghan goalkeeper Robbie O'Dowd to make it 3-1.

Kilkenny City ended their sequence of five draws with their first win of the season at Cobh. Despite missing three regulars due to suspension and injury, Kilkenny were the better side for long spells and deserved their 79th minute winner when John Power rose well in a crowded goalmouth to head home a free kick from Brian Arrigan.