St Pat's Move to Summit of League of Ireland with Commanding Win Over Sligo
St Patrick's Athletic moved to the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division on Friday 3 April 2026 after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park, as Stephen Kenny's side continued their impressive early-season form with a sixth win in seven games.
Background
The League of Ireland Premier Division has been fiercely competitive in the early weeks of the 2026 season, with several clubs trading places at the top of the table. St Patrick's Athletic, managed by former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Kenny, have emerged as one of the early pacesetters, combining attractive football with clinical finishing.
Key Developments
St Pat's were dominant at Richmond Park on Friday evening, with goals from Palmer, Edmondson, Breslin, and Nugent securing a convincing 4-1 win over Sligo Rovers. The result moved them to the top of the table, displacing Bohemians who were held to a 0-0 draw by Drogheda United — their third consecutive draw — and slipped from the summit.
Dundalk claimed a dramatic 3-2 away win against Shelbourne at Tolka Park. Shelbourne fought back from 2-0 down to level the game, but an own goal from Rossi with four minutes remaining handed the victory to Dundalk, whose impressive start to the season under manager Ciaran Kilduff continues.
The Drogheda United vs Bohemians match was overshadowed by a worrying incident late on when Drogheda winger Shane Farrell collapsed after a clash of heads. The game was halted for a significant period as he received medical attention before being stretchered off wearing an oxygen mask and taken to hospital. His condition was not immediately confirmed, and supporters and players were left anxious for news.
In other results, Galway United defeated Derry City 2-1, and Shamrock Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-of-the-table Waterford FC.
Why It Matters
St Patrick's Athletic's rise to the top of the table is a significant moment for the club and for Stephen Kenny, who has brought a clear attacking philosophy to Richmond Park. The early-season form suggests St Pat's could be genuine title contenders, though the League of Ireland season is long and the competition at the top remains intense.
The incident involving Shane Farrell cast a shadow over the evening's football. Player welfare is a growing concern across all levels of the game, and the swift response of medical staff at the Drogheda-Bohemians match will be noted by clubs and supporters across the league.
What's Next
St Patrick's Athletic will look to consolidate their position at the top of the table in the coming weeks. The League of Ireland season continues with another round of fixtures next weekend, with Bohemians and Dundalk both eager to close the gap on the new leaders.
Read the full RTÉ Sport report on Friday's League of Ireland results.
