Premier Division Round-Up: Series 4
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Bohemians and Derry City continue to lead the way at the top after both made it three wins in four last weekend, but Saint Patrick's Athletic have closed to within one point after making it three wins on the spin at home to Dundalk, whose star-laden squad continues to struggle at the bottom. Near neighbours Drogheda United are slightly worse off as they prop up the table at present, while Western duo, Galway United and Sligo Rovers, sit in surprising positions. Below, Alan Smith gives an analysis on the current state of play.
1st Bohemians:
The champions have already raced to the top of the table and look like staying there. With new signing Joseph N’do pulling the strings in midfield, Bohs’ have played some excellent football, to the delight of Pat Fenlon. Anto Murphy grabbed the winner for the ‘Big Club’ against bottom of the table Drogheda United to keep them on top of the pile; however, they had to work for it against Alan Mathews' charges. Next up for the Phibsborough club is a home game against Cork City, where they will be strong favourites to move onto 13 points.
2nd Derry City:
The Candystripes looked like the strongest of Bohs’ opposition at the beginning of the campaign and they have, so far, lived up to expectations. Trailing the champions on goal difference, they’ve already gone to Dalymount Park and came away with a hard fought point. After scoring two late goals against Cork City the weekend before last, Derry did the exact same against Shamrock Rovers, coming from behind to win 2-1. If they continue to build momentum, Bohs’ will find it difficult to retain their title come November. Stephen Kenny’s take on 4th placed Galway United at the Brandywell on Friday night.
3rd Saint Patrick's Athletic:
After a disastrous start on the opening weekend against Jeff Kenna’s former club Galway United, the Inchicore outfit have regrouped well and have gone on a three game winning streak. Newly-promoted Dundalk were put to the sword at Richmond Park last week with Mark Leech and Kyle Moran getting on the scoresheet for Pats’. Kenna, though, was left with mixed feelings at the final whistle after both Gary Dempsey and Mark Leech were stretchered off with broken legs. They will be both be out until mid summer at least and Kenna will have to reorganise his troops for the trip to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday where Pat's will look to overcome Bray Wanderers.
4th Galway United:
The Tribesmen were favourites for the drop at the beginning of the season, but after battering St Pat's 3-0 and another four points from the following two games, they went into the Connacht derby with an air of confidence about them. It ended in stalemate, though, as Sligo Rovers managed to shut out Galway, who had the advantage of having an extra man for a 20 minute spell in the second half after Danny Ventre saw red for the Bit O’ Red. Declan Edwards was also sent off for Galway in the dying minutes. With Jay O’Shea playing for the Irish under-21’s, Galway seemed to lack a bit of penetration in midfield and the draw was probably the fairest result. They may struggle to keep their unbeaten record going with a trip to the Brandywell on Friday night, but in this league nothing is a guarantee.
5th Cork City:
Cork finally got a win under their belts last Friday, beating Bray Wanderers 2-1 in a dour contest, thanks to a brace from Latvian striker Guntars Silagailis. Paul Doolin’s men have had a poor start to the campaign after throwing away two leads late on against Sligo Rovers and Derry City, costing them four points. With problems off the field regarding a re-negotiated Danny Murphy contract settled, there is never a dull moment on Leeside. The Rebel Army must be thinking when will they have a ‘normal’ club to support? On Friday they travel to Dalymount Park to face the champions and to take a point back with them down the N8 will be more than a satisfactory result.
6th Shamrock Rovers:
The Hoops lost their first game at Tallaght Stadium last Friday, conceding late on to Derry City. With four points from four games, Rovers return is poor considering how well they’ve played at times. With the everlasting Ollie Cahill still terrorising defenders with his runs on the wing and Dessie Baker in good form, Rovers may yet be a dark horse this season. Baker put the Hoops into the lead against the Candystripes, after Shane Robinson missed a penalty. They conceded twice in the last quarter of an hour, though, and the Candystripes returned north with all three points. With a trip to bottom of the table Drogheda United, who’ve yet to score this season, to come at the end of the week, Rovers will be looking to get a second win under their belt. Drogheda are bound to win sooner rather than later, though.
7th Bray Wanderers:
Bray were dealt a killer blow early on in their tie with Cork City last Friday, losing Daryl Robson to a second bookable offence in just the 23rd minute. Six minutes later, the Seagulls found themselves a goal to in arrears and despite defending relatively well, they were up against it for well over an hour of the encounter. They conceded again early in the second period but Dave Mulcahy managed to grab a goal back with less than 20 minutes to go. Eddie Gormley’s side had to finish with just nine men after Derek Pender was unable to continue due to injury; after all three substitutions had already been made. They should manage to stay afloat in the Premier Division, despite being such a youthful and inexperienced team. Next up for them is a home game against St Pat’s who will be looking to continue their own good run of form.
8th Dundalk:
Sean Connor’s team have lost three out of their first four back in the big time and, despite having a decent squad, they have looked average at best so far; their only win coming against a desperate Dorgheda United. After losing 2-0 to St Pats last weekend, many of the travelling support to Richmond Park were unhappy at Connor’s employment of a very direct style of football. With flair players like George O’Callaghan, the Co. Louth outfit should really be playing more enterprising football. With a trip to 9th placed Sligo, Dundalk will have to battle hard at the Showgrounds to get all three points next Saturday night.
9th Sligo Rovers:
Paul Cook’s men will be going into Europe this season, but on their showing so far, their jaunt on the continental stage won’t last very long. After grabbing a point on the opening weekend from the hands of Cork City, the Bit O’Red haven’t done much else since. Defeats to Shamrock Rovers and St. Pats followed, which meant that Rovers went into the local derby with Galway United last Friday with just one point from nine. They managed to hold the Tribesmen to a scoreless draw with a good defensive display, but rarely threatened. They could get the first win under their belts at home to fellow strugglers Dundalk on Saturday night but as already said, it will be a battle for both sides in the north-west.
10th Drogheda United:
Low morale, a depleted squad and a failure to score goals- that is just the tip of the problematic iceberg facing Drogheda United at present. Yet to score this season, Alan Mathews’ side have only one point on the board and that came in a scoreless draw against Bray Wanderers. Next up is a game against Shamrock Rovers at home, where a win would be an excellent boost. It is miles away from the heights they reached in 2007 and at the moment it looks like they will struggle to keep their top flight status come November. At least the club is still in existence, though.
1st Bohemians:
The champions have already raced to the top of the table and look like staying there. With new signing Joseph N’do pulling the strings in midfield, Bohs’ have played some excellent football, to the delight of Pat Fenlon. Anto Murphy grabbed the winner for the ‘Big Club’ against bottom of the table Drogheda United to keep them on top of the pile; however, they had to work for it against Alan Mathews' charges. Next up for the Phibsborough club is a home game against Cork City, where they will be strong favourites to move onto 13 points.
2nd Derry City:
The Candystripes looked like the strongest of Bohs’ opposition at the beginning of the campaign and they have, so far, lived up to expectations. Trailing the champions on goal difference, they’ve already gone to Dalymount Park and came away with a hard fought point. After scoring two late goals against Cork City the weekend before last, Derry did the exact same against Shamrock Rovers, coming from behind to win 2-1. If they continue to build momentum, Bohs’ will find it difficult to retain their title come November. Stephen Kenny’s take on 4th placed Galway United at the Brandywell on Friday night.
3rd Saint Patrick's Athletic:
After a disastrous start on the opening weekend against Jeff Kenna’s former club Galway United, the Inchicore outfit have regrouped well and have gone on a three game winning streak. Newly-promoted Dundalk were put to the sword at Richmond Park last week with Mark Leech and Kyle Moran getting on the scoresheet for Pats’. Kenna, though, was left with mixed feelings at the final whistle after both Gary Dempsey and Mark Leech were stretchered off with broken legs. They will be both be out until mid summer at least and Kenna will have to reorganise his troops for the trip to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday where Pat's will look to overcome Bray Wanderers.
4th Galway United:
The Tribesmen were favourites for the drop at the beginning of the season, but after battering St Pat's 3-0 and another four points from the following two games, they went into the Connacht derby with an air of confidence about them. It ended in stalemate, though, as Sligo Rovers managed to shut out Galway, who had the advantage of having an extra man for a 20 minute spell in the second half after Danny Ventre saw red for the Bit O’ Red. Declan Edwards was also sent off for Galway in the dying minutes. With Jay O’Shea playing for the Irish under-21’s, Galway seemed to lack a bit of penetration in midfield and the draw was probably the fairest result. They may struggle to keep their unbeaten record going with a trip to the Brandywell on Friday night, but in this league nothing is a guarantee.
5th Cork City:
Cork finally got a win under their belts last Friday, beating Bray Wanderers 2-1 in a dour contest, thanks to a brace from Latvian striker Guntars Silagailis. Paul Doolin’s men have had a poor start to the campaign after throwing away two leads late on against Sligo Rovers and Derry City, costing them four points. With problems off the field regarding a re-negotiated Danny Murphy contract settled, there is never a dull moment on Leeside. The Rebel Army must be thinking when will they have a ‘normal’ club to support? On Friday they travel to Dalymount Park to face the champions and to take a point back with them down the N8 will be more than a satisfactory result.
6th Shamrock Rovers:
The Hoops lost their first game at Tallaght Stadium last Friday, conceding late on to Derry City. With four points from four games, Rovers return is poor considering how well they’ve played at times. With the everlasting Ollie Cahill still terrorising defenders with his runs on the wing and Dessie Baker in good form, Rovers may yet be a dark horse this season. Baker put the Hoops into the lead against the Candystripes, after Shane Robinson missed a penalty. They conceded twice in the last quarter of an hour, though, and the Candystripes returned north with all three points. With a trip to bottom of the table Drogheda United, who’ve yet to score this season, to come at the end of the week, Rovers will be looking to get a second win under their belt. Drogheda are bound to win sooner rather than later, though.
7th Bray Wanderers:
Bray were dealt a killer blow early on in their tie with Cork City last Friday, losing Daryl Robson to a second bookable offence in just the 23rd minute. Six minutes later, the Seagulls found themselves a goal to in arrears and despite defending relatively well, they were up against it for well over an hour of the encounter. They conceded again early in the second period but Dave Mulcahy managed to grab a goal back with less than 20 minutes to go. Eddie Gormley’s side had to finish with just nine men after Derek Pender was unable to continue due to injury; after all three substitutions had already been made. They should manage to stay afloat in the Premier Division, despite being such a youthful and inexperienced team. Next up for them is a home game against St Pat’s who will be looking to continue their own good run of form.
8th Dundalk:
Sean Connor’s team have lost three out of their first four back in the big time and, despite having a decent squad, they have looked average at best so far; their only win coming against a desperate Dorgheda United. After losing 2-0 to St Pats last weekend, many of the travelling support to Richmond Park were unhappy at Connor’s employment of a very direct style of football. With flair players like George O’Callaghan, the Co. Louth outfit should really be playing more enterprising football. With a trip to 9th placed Sligo, Dundalk will have to battle hard at the Showgrounds to get all three points next Saturday night.
9th Sligo Rovers:
Paul Cook’s men will be going into Europe this season, but on their showing so far, their jaunt on the continental stage won’t last very long. After grabbing a point on the opening weekend from the hands of Cork City, the Bit O’Red haven’t done much else since. Defeats to Shamrock Rovers and St. Pats followed, which meant that Rovers went into the local derby with Galway United last Friday with just one point from nine. They managed to hold the Tribesmen to a scoreless draw with a good defensive display, but rarely threatened. They could get the first win under their belts at home to fellow strugglers Dundalk on Saturday night but as already said, it will be a battle for both sides in the north-west.
10th Drogheda United:
Low morale, a depleted squad and a failure to score goals- that is just the tip of the problematic iceberg facing Drogheda United at present. Yet to score this season, Alan Mathews’ side have only one point on the board and that came in a scoreless draw against Bray Wanderers. Next up is a game against Shamrock Rovers at home, where a win would be an excellent boost. It is miles away from the heights they reached in 2007 and at the moment it looks like they will struggle to keep their top flight status come November. At least the club is still in existence, though.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile