A SUPERB individual goal from young midflelder Jason Bowman sealed Waterford United's second successive win as they beat St Francis 2-0 at Baldonnel yesterday.
Bowman collected the ball some 30 yards from goal and burst through several attempted challenges before calmly clipping the ball over the advancing St Francis goalkeeper, Gary Matthews, to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute.
Despite dominating the firsthalf, Waterford only led at the break courtesy of a bizarre own goal in the 32nd minute.
Alan Reynolds's cross in from the left scarcely threatened as it fell to St Francis' striker Paddy Doyle at the far post, but, inexplicably, Doyle lashed out at the ball under no pressure at all and sliced his supposed clearance into his own net with a slight deflection off team mate, Jim Smith.
Monaghan United strikers, Aaron Shearer and Ian Douglas, both wasted glorious chances to give the bottom of the table side a win as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Athlone Town at Gortakeegan. Terry Eviston headed Athlone in front after 11 minutes, but Shearer equalised six minutes later, running clear on to Douglas pass to shoot home.
Galway United were brought right back down to earth with a loud thump, following last week's excellent League Cup final result, when they were roundly beaten 4-1 at Cobh Ramblers on Saturday.
Cobh's expensive new signing, Antonio Izzi, had an inspired debut with two first half goals to set Ramblers on their way, John Murphy scored direct from a corner to make it 3-0, before Stephen Lally pulled a goal back for Galway. However, Cobh had the last word when Anthony Kenneally signalled his recent return from injury by scoring their fourth.
At Buckley Park, Kilkenny City beat leaders Drogheda 2-1 to move to within a point, in a cracking game before their biggest gate of the season.
Kilkenny got their reward for a dominant first half display with a goal from Pascal Keane after 27 minutes. Then, with 76 minutes gone Aidan Cooney whipped over a cross from the left and the inrushing Kevin Kelly scored with a spectacular diving header.
Michael Harte scored what proved a consolation goal.
