Republic of Ireland round-up: Leaders back on course

League of Ireland leaders Bohemian FC bounced back from their first defeat of the season to record a 2-0 victory at Drogheda United FC on Sunday.

Hard task
Bohemians were given a hard game, but still took the lead on 66 minutes when Colin Hawkins flicked a Bobby Ryan corner into the path of Stephen Caffrey, who finished from close range.  Declan O'Brien hit the post for Drogheda shortly afterwards, as the home team piled on the pressure. But Bohemians held on, and added a second in the 90th minute, when defender Derek Coughlan headed in a corner from substitute Damien Lynch.

Cork held
Second-placed Cork City FC had failed to close the gap on Bohemians the previous day, drawing 1-1 at home to Longford Town FC. John O'Flynn put Cork in front from the penalty spot after six minutes, after Avery John fouled Colin Patrick O'Brien.  However, Longford secured a deserved equaliser on the hour mark when Brian Byrne scored his first goal for the club, heading in a corner from Alan Kirby to leave Cork eight points behind the leaders.

Zayed leveller
Bray Wanderers AFC grabbed a vital goal in added time to improve their chances of avoiding relegation, with Eamonn Zayed's late strike earning a 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers FC on Sunday in a game rescheduled from Friday due to a waterlogged pitch. Rovers took the lead early in the first half when Trevor Molloy capitalised on a defensive error to score his third goal for the club since returning from Carlisle United FC, but eleven minutes were added on at the end after a serious injury to Bray defender Jody Lynch, and seven minutes in, teenage striker Zayed pounced from close range to earn a point.

Postponed games
The Friday night game between Shelbourne FC and Derry City FC at Tolka Park, and Saint Patrick-s Athletic FC's home fixture the same evening against University College Dublin FC were both postponed due to heavy rain.