A DEFEAT for Drogheda United at Limerick yesterday, coupled to defeats for both Waterford United and Galway United on Saturday night, has thrown the First Division promotion race wide open.
Kilkenny City's 3-2 win over Galway sees them go five points clear at the top and odds on to get promotion, but who goes up directly with them is anyone's guess at this stage.
A brace of goals from midfielder Rory O'Connor pulled Cobb Ramblers back into contention at St Colman's Park yesterday. Cobb ended Monaghan United's seven match unbeaten run with an emphatic 3-0 defeat.
Limerick extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a surprise defeat of one time leaders Drogheda at Hogan Park.
The only goal of the game came eight minutes before the interval when Anthony Tobin looped a header from his skipper Albert Finnan's cross over Drogheda goalkeeper, Jody Byrne, and into the net.
Athlone had to come from behind to earn a draw at Baldonnel though it proved enough to put them clear in third place ahead of Waterford.
St Francis' bright start was rewarded after 11 minutes when they took the lead. Fran Hitchcock's corner was floated to the back post and John Patton found the net with a downward header.
But Athlone replied after 24 minutes when Trevor Molloy headed past Mark Clohessy after player/manager, Terry Eviston, flicked on a long throw in from Rod De khors.
Kilkenny City moved a further step closer to Premier Division football next season with another late, late show from Ritchie Hale to severely dent Galway United's hopes in a five goal thriller at Buckley Park on Saturday night.
Longford beat third placed Waterford United 2-1 at Strokestown Road on Saturday night on the back of a draw against Drogheda and a defeat of Galway. If this improvement continues, Longford could well come into the promotion equation again themselves.
They took the lead after 21 minutes when Dermot Lennon scored. Padraig Dully added the second three minutes later when he punished a defensive mistake.
Waterford pushed hard to try and salvage something throughout the second half, but had to settle for the consolation of a 75th minute penalty from John Power.
