Premier Division Round-up: Series 5
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Series 5 saw Derry City move to the summit, with the champions dropping to second. At the other end of the table, Drogheda remain bottom but managed to score…twice. Here, Alan Smith goes through each team and assesses their form to date.
1. Derry City
Despite only drawing 1-1 at home to Galway United, the Brandywell side moved above Bohemians on Friday night. A Thomas Stewart goal gave them the lead midway through the half, however, Seamus Conneely equalised for the Tribesmen after the break to level the tie. Derry were excellent in the opening period and will surely be the best equipped to knock Bohs’ off of their perch. The Candystripes travel to Richmond Park tonight and a result there will solidify their title credentials.
2. Bohemians
Bohs were knocked off the top of the table after a shock defeat at the hands of Cork City on Friday. The Phibsborough outfit were poor against Cork, losing 1-0. They never really looked like breaking down the Cork defence and plummeted to their first defeat of the season. It’s far from a disaster though and knowing Pat Fenlon, he will have his team fired up at Terryland Park as they face a tough task against the surprise package of the season so far.
3. Galway United
Last week, we said that Ian Foster’s men would find it difficult away to Derry but they still remain unbeaten after taking a point away from the Brandywell. A goal from Seamus Conneely in the 53rd minute meant that the Tribesmen would remain unbeaten and take a point home to the west with them. They were by no means the lesser of the two teams against Derry and Bohemians will certainly be up against it tonight.
4. St Patrick's Athletic
Jeff Kenna's side have been a mixed bag so far. A shocking opening to the campaign was followed by three wins on the bounce, but a dramatic ending away to Bray Wanderers resulted in a 2-1 defeat. 1-0 down going into injury time, Stuart Byrne equalised for Pats in the 94th minute. However, his namesake Paul Byrne ended up scoring for the Seagulls in the final few seconds to give the Wicklow outfit their first win of the season and stop Pat's from going top.
5. Cork City
A very patchy start became all the more respectable with a win over champions Bohemians on their own patch last Friday. A Davin O’Neill winner midway through the second period was enough for the Rebel Army to take the spoils in what was the shock result of the weekend. Though Cork thoroughly deserved the win, the champions were poor. Tonight, Alan Mathews returns to Cork as bottom club, Drogheda United, come to Turners Cross. A win for the home side will mean three-in-a-row, and a title challenge which looked like fading away after just four games could become a reality.
6. Dundalk
With Sean Connor in the stands serving a ban, Joe Miller took charge of the newly promoted side at the Showgrounds on Saturday night and the team looked completely different to that which had lined out in the first four games. A 3-1 victory ensued, albeit against a poor Sligo team as the Oriel Park outfit jumped from 8th to a respectable 6th. With Shamrock Rovers at home tonight, Miller will still be in charge and a win against the Hoops, who despite being in 8th place have played some good football, will be a huge boost as their quest to stay in the big time continues.
7. Bray Wanderers
Another flurry of late goals at the Carlisle Grounds meant that Bray got their first win of the season against St Pat’s on Friday night. A poor enough opening period was followed by a 40 minute delay due to floodlight failure However, for those who endured the delay, the wait was worth it as the Seagulls scored a 96th minute winner, despite relinquishing their lead in the 94th minute. Paul Byrne was the hero, scoring in the final few seconds to just about keep them away from the dreaded bottom two. They have some players out for the trip to Sligo but going on the Bit O’Red’s previous performances, a win will not be impossible for Eddie Gormley’s team.
8. Shamrock Rovers
With the excitement surrounding Tallaght now calming down, it’s time for Rovers to get back to normal and focus entirely on playing. They haven’t been as bad as their current position suggests and at times have played some good football. Drogheda United were their opponents on Friday and it looked like the bottom club were going to get the better of the Hoops. A Padraig Amond strike four minutes from time secured a 2-2 draw for Rovers, though. They travel north tonight to take on Dundalk, a game that Michael O’Neill describes as ‘difficult’. A win would be a major boost for them before welcoming Cork City to Tallaght on Good Friday.
9. Sligo Rovers
What has gone wrong in the north-west? Last season, Sligo were one of the toughest games on every club's fixture list, but so far this campaign they have been very poor. A hammering at the hands of what was a weak enough Dundalk side really brought home how much the Bit O’Red have plummeted. Even at this early stage, another European spot looks like just a dream. A win is a must for Paul Cook’s men at home to Bray tonight if they’re to begin moving up the table.
10. Drogheda United
Alan Mathews' men finally scored and like a bus - after waiting for what seems like an age, two come along together. It wasn’t enough to take all three points at home to Shamrock Rovers, though, as they conceded late as it ended 2-2. They’re still looking for their first win and, with a tough trip to Cork City and former manager Paul Doolin in store tonight, it may be another while before they finally get a win.
1. Derry City
Despite only drawing 1-1 at home to Galway United, the Brandywell side moved above Bohemians on Friday night. A Thomas Stewart goal gave them the lead midway through the half, however, Seamus Conneely equalised for the Tribesmen after the break to level the tie. Derry were excellent in the opening period and will surely be the best equipped to knock Bohs’ off of their perch. The Candystripes travel to Richmond Park tonight and a result there will solidify their title credentials.
2. Bohemians
Bohs were knocked off the top of the table after a shock defeat at the hands of Cork City on Friday. The Phibsborough outfit were poor against Cork, losing 1-0. They never really looked like breaking down the Cork defence and plummeted to their first defeat of the season. It’s far from a disaster though and knowing Pat Fenlon, he will have his team fired up at Terryland Park as they face a tough task against the surprise package of the season so far.
3. Galway United
Last week, we said that Ian Foster’s men would find it difficult away to Derry but they still remain unbeaten after taking a point away from the Brandywell. A goal from Seamus Conneely in the 53rd minute meant that the Tribesmen would remain unbeaten and take a point home to the west with them. They were by no means the lesser of the two teams against Derry and Bohemians will certainly be up against it tonight.
4. St Patrick's Athletic
Jeff Kenna's side have been a mixed bag so far. A shocking opening to the campaign was followed by three wins on the bounce, but a dramatic ending away to Bray Wanderers resulted in a 2-1 defeat. 1-0 down going into injury time, Stuart Byrne equalised for Pats in the 94th minute. However, his namesake Paul Byrne ended up scoring for the Seagulls in the final few seconds to give the Wicklow outfit their first win of the season and stop Pat's from going top.
5. Cork City
A very patchy start became all the more respectable with a win over champions Bohemians on their own patch last Friday. A Davin O’Neill winner midway through the second period was enough for the Rebel Army to take the spoils in what was the shock result of the weekend. Though Cork thoroughly deserved the win, the champions were poor. Tonight, Alan Mathews returns to Cork as bottom club, Drogheda United, come to Turners Cross. A win for the home side will mean three-in-a-row, and a title challenge which looked like fading away after just four games could become a reality.
6. Dundalk
With Sean Connor in the stands serving a ban, Joe Miller took charge of the newly promoted side at the Showgrounds on Saturday night and the team looked completely different to that which had lined out in the first four games. A 3-1 victory ensued, albeit against a poor Sligo team as the Oriel Park outfit jumped from 8th to a respectable 6th. With Shamrock Rovers at home tonight, Miller will still be in charge and a win against the Hoops, who despite being in 8th place have played some good football, will be a huge boost as their quest to stay in the big time continues.
7. Bray Wanderers
Another flurry of late goals at the Carlisle Grounds meant that Bray got their first win of the season against St Pat’s on Friday night. A poor enough opening period was followed by a 40 minute delay due to floodlight failure However, for those who endured the delay, the wait was worth it as the Seagulls scored a 96th minute winner, despite relinquishing their lead in the 94th minute. Paul Byrne was the hero, scoring in the final few seconds to just about keep them away from the dreaded bottom two. They have some players out for the trip to Sligo but going on the Bit O’Red’s previous performances, a win will not be impossible for Eddie Gormley’s team.
8. Shamrock Rovers
With the excitement surrounding Tallaght now calming down, it’s time for Rovers to get back to normal and focus entirely on playing. They haven’t been as bad as their current position suggests and at times have played some good football. Drogheda United were their opponents on Friday and it looked like the bottom club were going to get the better of the Hoops. A Padraig Amond strike four minutes from time secured a 2-2 draw for Rovers, though. They travel north tonight to take on Dundalk, a game that Michael O’Neill describes as ‘difficult’. A win would be a major boost for them before welcoming Cork City to Tallaght on Good Friday.
9. Sligo Rovers
What has gone wrong in the north-west? Last season, Sligo were one of the toughest games on every club's fixture list, but so far this campaign they have been very poor. A hammering at the hands of what was a weak enough Dundalk side really brought home how much the Bit O’Red have plummeted. Even at this early stage, another European spot looks like just a dream. A win is a must for Paul Cook’s men at home to Bray tonight if they’re to begin moving up the table.
10. Drogheda United
Alan Mathews' men finally scored and like a bus - after waiting for what seems like an age, two come along together. It wasn’t enough to take all three points at home to Shamrock Rovers, though, as they conceded late as it ended 2-2. They’re still looking for their first win and, with a tough trip to Cork City and former manager Paul Doolin in store tonight, it may be another while before they finally get a win.
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