Monaghan halt Drogheda advance

Drogheda missed the chance to move further ahead at the top of the division when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Monaghan United yesterday. Brendan Place put Monaghan in front after just seven minutes but Drogheda had to wait until Derek Thornton scored in the 89th minute for an equaliser. The result means Drogheda remain four points in front. Cobh Ramblers lost the opportunity to close the gap when Athlone Town came back to draw 2-2 at St Colman's Park on Saturday. Referee Declan Hanney had a busy day, handing out two red cards and two penalties - one for either side. Athlone went ahead through full-back Alan Oliver after 16 minutes, but an own goal by Tom Silke and an Anthony Kenneally shot on the half hour put Cobh in front. Gary Devine scored the equaliser for Athlone three minutes into the second half after both sides had missed their penalties.

With Galway in FAI Cup semifinal action, Longford Town moved within range of the playoffs thanks to a 1-0 victory over Kilkenny City. The visitors may have had more possession but Longford's goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien was in excellent form and they were unable to take the advantage. Three minutes from the end Longford created the winner through substitute James Farrell's inventive pass to Stephen Kelly, who easily claimed his second goal of the season.

Home Farm/Everton didn't help their cause any when they went down 2-1 to visitors Limerick at Whitehall. Limerick's injuries were so drastic that defender Albert Finnan had to fill in between the posts, although that didn't stop them scoring twice in the first 15 minutes courtesy of Paul Carr and Eric Smith. Carr's free completely confused Paul Whelan in the Home Farm goal and Smith had a powerful strike from just outside the box. Home Farm managed to reorganise and came one back five minutes later through Ian Fitzpatrick but Limerick had done enough to hold on for the win.