Dundalk remain one point clear of St Patrick's Athletic in the Airtricity League premier division following a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park and St Pat's came from behind to beat Bohemians 3-1.

At Richmond Park Ireland international manager Giovanni Trapattoni saw four goals in a pulsating first half. Jason Byrne opened the scoring for Bohs in the 13th minute. But three goals from Derek Doyle, Paul Byrne and Stuart Byrne in the last six minutes of the half saw Pat's record the victory.

At Oriel Park Sligo were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when Gary McCabe was dismissed for a foul on Ross Gaynor and Fahrudin Kuduzovic grabbed the only goal of the game in the 56th minute to keep Ian Foster's team top of the table after series 15.

Elsewhere at Terryland Park Galway United twice came from behind record a 2-2 draw with UCD, two goals in the last four minutes saw Shamrock Rovers share the points with Sporting Fingal at Tallaght Stadium and in the bottom of the table clash Bray Wanderers let a 2-0 lead slip at the Carlisle Grounds as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Drogheda United.

In the first division Monaghan United were the only team in the top four to secure three points following a 3-0 win over Longford Town with Karl Bermingham, Barry Clancy and Philip Hughes on the scoresheet.  Derry were held to a scoreless draw by Limerick and Waterford United were held to a 1-1 draw by Cork City Foras Co-op. Shelbourne suffered a 2-1 home defeat by Wexford Youths, Finn Harps beat Salthill Devon 1-0 and Mervue United also recorded a 1-0 win as they beat Athlone Town.

Derek Doyle celebrates St Patrick's Athletic's first goal

Ireland international manager Giovanni Trapattoni at Richmond Park

Sligo Rovers' Jason McCarthy (right) in action against Dundalk's Fahrudin Kuduzovic

Paul Doolin's Ireland U23 team were beaten 1-0 at Gannon Park, Malahide on Tuesday. A single Anthony Stokes goal was all that separated the Senior team and the Airtricity League side.  Sligo Rovers' Padraig Amond had a goal disallowed for offside late in the game.

Shaun Williams and Keith Fahey

Manager Doolin said "It was a very useful exercise for us.  It was important to give the players some game-time together ahead of next Wednesday's match against England at the RSC. We gave everybody a run-out and we tried a few different systems as well. From the players point of view, it gave them an opportunity to meet each other and get used to each other's style.

"The result was never important, the match was always about performance. I thought we performed excellently throughout and it took a very good goal to defeat us. What we have to do now is build on that performance and make sure we are ready for England next Wednesday."

Ireland Under 23 bench

Republic of Ireland Seniors: Westwood, McShane, Cunningham, Duffy, O'Dea, Green, Stokes, Fahey, Sheridan, Best, Long

Substitutes (used): Lawrence, J. Murphy, Foley, Nolan

Substitutes (not used): B. Murphy

Republic of Ireland Under 23s: Darren Quigley (Sporting Fingal); Shaun Kelly (Dundalk), Conor Powell (Bohemians), Stephen Mulcahy (Cork City Foras Co-op) , Kenny Browne (Sporting Fingal); Stephen O'Donnell (Galway United), Karl Sheppard (Galway United), Shaun Williams (Sporting Fingal); Vinny Faherty (St Patrick's Athletic), Ronan Finn (Sporting Fingal), Billy Dennehy (Shamrock Rovers)

Substitutes (all used): Ian Bermingham (St Patrick's Athletic), Greg Bolger (UCD), James Chambers (Shamrock Rovers), Robert Duggan (Shamrock Rovers), Ross Gaynor (Dundalk), Gary McCabe (Sligo Rovers), Padraig Amond (Sligo Rovers), Paddy Madden (Bohemians)

Ref: Dave McKeon

Stephen O'Donnell escapes from Shane Long

The managers at full time

Bohemians won the Setanta Sports Cup in their first season in the competition with a 1-0 win over St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium.  Anto Murphy scored the only goal of the game heading in from Killian Brennan's corner on 24 minutes.  Owen Heary collected the trophy and adds the winner's medal to his collection of League, FAI Cup and League Cup medals.

BOHEMIANS  1-0  ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Owen Heary lifts the Setanta Sports Cup

Anto Murphy scores the only goal of the game

Elsewhere, in the Airtircity League premier division Shamrock Rovers moved to joint top of the table with Dundalk following a 2-1 win over UCD at Belfield with goals in each half from James Chambers and Gary Twigg.  Dundalk were held to a scoreless draw at home to Galway United and Sligo Rovers had a 6-0 victory over Drogheda United at the Showgrounds, as Padraig Amond recorded a second half hat-trick.

UCD  1-2  SHAMROCK ROVERS

Gary Twigg celebrates his side's winning goal

DUNDALK  0-0  GALWAY UNITED

Karl Sheppard, Galway United (left) against Dundalk's Alan Cawley

In the first division Derry City were held to a 1-1draw by Cork City Foras Co-op at Turners Cross and Waterford United were beaten at Ferrycarrig Park by Wexford Youths, Jimmy Keohane grabbed the winner in the second minute of injury time.  Limerick beat Mervue United 2-0 and Shelbourne also recorded a 2-0 win away to Monaghan United.  Salthill Devon let a 2-0 lead slip as they were held two-all by Athlone Town.

Trevor Croly, Shamrock Rovers coach, has devised a week-long programme to maintain fitness and to educate players who are new to the League of Ireland either returning from England and Scotland or coming through the schoolboy ranks in Ireland. Unemployed professional players will also be participating on this course.

Keith Fahey at the launch of the PFAI Summer Training Camp

Former PFAI Player of the Year, Keith Fahey, attended the launch and said "I am delighted to be involved and proud to put my name to something which I can fully identify with. I returned to Ireland with my dreams of being a Premier League star knocked. Thanks to the League of Ireland and the clubs and players I played with and against I managed to get a second chance and have grabbed it with both hands. I'll be on-site in late June myself to discuss with the players my experiences and pass on some coaching tips. The course I believe will help focus the minds of players returning and inspire others to persue a professional career in the League of Ireland.

PFAI General Seceretary Stephen McGuinness said "This training camp we hope will facility the players by raising their profile, allowing them a platform to show their talents, while educating them on what the League of Ireland and our Association can offer them".

Press conference at the AUL Complex

"I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank Robbie Keane and all the international squad for their continued support of our Association. Funding from their support is pumped back into the Union and its this funding that allows us to organise events and opportunities like this and as always we're grateful for their continued support.

The summer training camp will run from Monday 21 June to Friday 25 June with a game scheduled for Saturday 26 June 2010 and will be held at the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh, Co Dublin. Players can contact our offices for more details on 01 899 9350 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Trevor Croly, Ollie Cahill, Keith Fahey and Stephen McGuinness

Belvedere became the first winners of the DDSL U17 PFAI Perpetual Trophy following a 4-3 victory over Cherry Orchard after extra time.

Belvedere took the lead when Christopher Forrestor fired in midway through the first half. They doubled their lead in the second half through Anthony Corcoran. But Belvedere allowed the Orchard back into the game and late goals from Karl Connaughton and Gareth Deasy forced the game into extra time.

Peter Flood extended Belvo's lead but once again Orchard came back to level at 3-3 through Gary Smith. Christopher Forrestor grabbed what proved to be the winner late in the second period of extra time with his second goal of the game.

The match was watched by a PFAI delegation - Stephen McGuinness, General Secretary; Sharon Smith, Office Co-ordinator; Ollie Cahill, Delegate Liaison Officer and current Shamrock Rovers player; Stuart Byrne of St Patrick's Athletic a former Belvedere player; and Brian Shelley from Bohemians a former Cherry Orchard player.

Stuart Byrne presents the PFAI U17 trophy to Belvedere captain Craig Sexton

Ollie Cahill presents Sean Skelly with the Man of the Match award

Gavin Harte receives the  PFAI Under 17 Cup Finalist plaque

Back Row: Brian Shelley and Stuart Byrne

Front Row: Ollie Cahill, Fran Ray, DDSL Secretary, and Stephen McGuinness

Watching the game

Belvedere celebrations

Paul Doolin, Ireland Under 23 manager, has named his squad for the International Challenge Trophy game against England at the RCS, Waterford on Wednesday 26 May.

This squad will  also face Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland training camp squad in a training match on Tuesday 18 May. The training match will give both Doolin and Trapattoni a chance to assess their players ahead of their respective matches the following week.

"To get the opportunity to represent your country is a huge honour for any player and I'm sure they will all be relishing the chance to pull on the green shirt against England at the RSC on May 26th. It will be a special night and I am really looking forward to it.

"Prior to the England game, we will have the opportunity to have a look at the players when they face Giovanni Trapattoni's training camp squad. This is a great opportunity to give the players a chance to play together against good opposition ahead of the England match. The opportunity to come up against senior international players is also something that the players will no doubt look forward to."

Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad