Republic of Ireland round-up: Win puts Shelbourne clear

Shelbourne FC extended their National League lead with a 1-0 defeat of Cork City FC on Sunday, while University College Dublin FC proved too strong for Galway United FC.

Burns fires Shelbourne
On-loan midfield player John Burns was the hero for top-of-the-table Shelbourne as his 57th-minute goal was enough to give them the points against a Cork side who are in serious danger of losing out on a European place after recording just one win in their last five games.

Vital goals
Burns signed for Shelbourne after he was unable to get first-team football with Bristol City FC, his English club, but he has been a vital figure for the Dublin side, scoring the only goal in crucial league wins over Bohemian FC and now Cork.

Good finish
He did the damage on Sunday by evading the challenge of Derek Coughlan and firing a shot past Cork goalkeeper Mick Devine, leaving his side sitting pretty in their bid to win the title for the second time in three years.

UCD triumph
UCD eased their relegation fears with a 3-1 home win over strugglers Galway. UCD veteran Richie Purdy headed them in front from a Darragh Ryan cross after eleven minutes, and Ryan got a goal for himself on 21 minutes after he linked up with Ciaran Martyn.

Maiden strike for Quinn
Alan Murphy gave United some hope with a 68th-minute strike, but teenager David Quinn made it 3-1 for UCD on 70 minutes with his first senior goal.