Drogheda United produced their best performance of the season to emphasise their promotion favourites' tag with a convincing 3-0 defeat of Limerick FC at Hogan Park on Saturday night which puts them three points clear at the top of the table.

Drogheda went ahead after 10 minutes when a sweeping move involving skipper Greg O'Dowd and Mark Revans split the Limerick defence. And though Limerick goalkeeper Eddie Hickey parried away Revans' shot, Derek Thornton scooped in the rebound.

Drogheda increased their lead on 38 minutes when Hickey failed to hold Thornton's inswinging corner and James Impey volleyed home from close range.

A foul on Limerick's Declan Considine on 55 minutes resulted in a scuffle involving players from both sides and Considine and Drogheda's bemused Martin Beggs, who was not involved, were both sent-off.

Limerick substitute, Sean Byrne, joined them for a second bookable offence in the 82nd minute before O'Dowd wrapped up Drogheda's comfortable win with a glorious curling free-kick in the final minute.

Andy Myler scored twice on his debut as Monaghan United beat bottom of the table St Francis 4-0 at Gortakeegan yesterday.

Paul Brady headed Monaghan in front from James O'Callaghan's corner after 31 minutes.

Myler, signed from Newry Town last week, got his first with a header from Brady's deep cross on 57 minutes before punishing a mistake by St Francis's Bosnian goalkeeper, Josef Advic, to make it 3-0 three minutes later.

Local teenager Paul Smith added the fourth with a terrific curling shot 11 minutes from time.