Monaghan United took an early lead at the top of the First Division table with their second successive win in beating Drogheda United 1-0 at Gortakeegan last night. Former Drogheda defender John Carroll got the only goal of the game six minutes from time when he shot home at the back post from James O'Callaghan's free-kick.

Two goals inside seven minutes just before half-time earned Dundalk their first win of the season as they beat St Francis 2-0 at Oriel Park to go second. The first, on 34 minutes, resulted from a comedy of errors in the St Francis defence. Goalkeeper Gareth Sutton initially threw the ball straight to Dundalk winger Brian Morrisroe. But there appeared little danger from his weak shot until it took a strong deflection off defender Eric Saul and flew into the net.

There was nothing quite so lucky about Dundalk's second goal on 41 minutes; John Flanagan, who had just struck the crossbar, headed home from Greg O'Dowd's cross.

Limerick FC needed three penalties to beat Waterford United 1-0 at the RSC. Waterford goalkeeper Michael Devine saved two first-half penalties from Jason Prucell and Anthony Tobin before Limerick player/manager showed his young players how it's done by finally beating Devine from the spot in the 60th minute.