Republic of Ireland round-up: Dundalk edge nearer safety

Dundalk FC moved closer to top-flight safety with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bray Wanderers AFC on Monday night.

Dramatic winner
Dundalk, third from bottom in the table, took the lead in the 55th minute as Cormac Malone put the visitors ahead. Bray then looked to have earned a share of the spoils when Jason Byrne equalized in the 90th minute, but Dundalk scored the winner through James Keddy from the restart.

St Patrick's in charge
In Monday's other match, Saint Patrick's Athletic FC beat Bohemian FC 2-0 at Richmond Park. Both goals came from set pieces. On 14 minutes, Paul Osam crossed for Darragh Maguire to score his third goal in three games. A minute later Ugandan Charles Mbabazi Livingstone made it 2-0 when he turned in a Martin Russell corner.

Deduction could cost dear
Were it not for a 15-point deduction received last week due to fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season, St Patrick's would now only require one win from their last two games to take the championship. An appeal against the decision is still pending though and Pat Dolan's men could unofficially take the title on Thursday if they win their one remaining game in hand away to in-form Dundalk.