Title contenders lose way

It’s as you were at the top of the eircom League Premier Division after leaders Shelbourne and second placed Shamrock Rovers …

It’s as you were at the top of the eircom League Premier Division after leaders Shelbourne and second placed Shamrock Rovers suffered unexpected defeats this afternoon.

Shelbourne, who remain two points clear of their Dublin rivals, were humiliated at bottom placed Monaghan United, a 78th minute Derek McGrath header enough to give the home side only their second win of the season.

At the Carlisle Grounds an out of sorts Shamrock Rovers were stopped in their tracks, going down 2-1 to Pat Devlin’s Bray Wanderers. Wanderers enjoyed the better possession in a first-half devoid of any goalmouth action but came out for the second period determined to turn possession into chances.

With Rovers relying on a route one game that wasn’t paying any dividends, the home side gradually began to carve out clear cut chances. Indeed, the only surprise when they took the lead in the 64th minute was the scorer, Jason Byrne, bringing to an end a goal drought that had stretched since last September.

READ MORE

Byrne then doubled the lead on 81 minutes and the game was already over by the time Sean Francis grabbed a 91st minute consolation for Rovers.