Kilkenny City's fortunes took a slight turn for the better when a late penalty earned them a point from a 1-1 draw with Monaghan United at Gortakeegan.
Still reeling from being dumped out of the FAI Cup and fined £2,500 on Friday evening, Kilkenny were second best for much of the game as Monaghan stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches.
Davy Walsh rescued the point for Kilkenny when confidently scoring from the spot after he had been pulled down by Monaghan's Brendan Place in the 88th minute.
Monaghan, much the better side throughout, had led from Paul Brady's 39th minute goal created by Colm Notaro.
Drogheda United moved a critical step closer to promotion with a rousing 2-0 win at Home Farm/Everton on Saturday night.
Despite missing three key players through suspension, with three more scheduled to start three match bans this week, Drogheda stretched their lead at the top of the table to five points. Perhaps more pertinent, the nine points gap ahead of third placed Kilkenny means they need just 12 points to confirm promotion.
Roy Fox set them on their way with a penalty a minute into the second-half. Mark Revins then sealed Drogheda's win with his fifth goal in three games.
Brian Kerr watched Munster capture the FAI under-17 interprovincial title yesterday as they defeated holders, Leinster, 53, in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended 1-1 at Ballyare in Donegal.
