Dundalk maintained their grip at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with a 7-0 thrashing of Finn Harps away from home.
Robbie Benson's double within 20 minutes had the reigning champions in control and they added five more before the 90 minutes were out.
Second placed Cork City made sure to keep in touch but they had to come from 1-0 down at home to Derry City with Danny Morrissey and Mark O'Sullivan's goals in the final six minutes cancelling out Niclas Vemmelund's to give John Caulfield's side a 2-1 victory.
Wexford Youths dealt Shamrock Rovers a setback, beating the Dublin club 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park with goals in both halves from Andy Mulligan and Chris Kenny.
St Patrick's Athletics had to settle for a 3-3 draw at home against Longford, who took the lead three times in the match.
Pats also had Darren Dennehy sent off with five minutes to go.
Gary Shaw of Rovers with Ryan Delaney of Wexford ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane in attendance at the Cork City match ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Cork City's Greg Bolger and Ronan Curtis of Derry City ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Shane McEleney and Kaleem Simon ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
