Premier Division Roundup: Series 8
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Alan Smith reviews the state of affairs in the League of Ireland Premier Division after the last series of games.
Bohemians
Sligo held the champions to a scoreless draw on Saturday night and the result means the Gypsies lead is now just two points. It was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws, with both sides going close. Bohs’ best chance came when Brian Shelley hesitated with only the goalkeeper to beat on the half hour mark. 8th placed Bray come to Dalymount Park on Friday night, where the Bohs’ faithful will certainly be expecting a convincing win. Interestingly, they’ve conceded just two goals. The nearest challengers to that are Derry and Cork, who’ve conceded seven times each.
Derry City
The Candystripes failed to take advantage of the leaders dropping points; only managing a draw away to struggling Bray Wanderers. Having lead for almost an hour thanks to Ciaran Martyn, a good spell of pressure from Bray meant that Gary McCabe’s 73rd minute equaliser gave the two sides a share of the spoils. Stephen Kenny’s team now welcome Dundalk to the Brandywell and City will be strong favourites to keep the pressure on Bohs’ at the summit.
Cork City
Despite the ridiculous off the field problems, Cork are doing well on the pitch at present. While it may not be the same attacking football that the Rebel Army were treated to circa 2005, Paul Doolin has his side getting results and after all that is what matters most. Dundalk, despite their perilous position near the foot of the table, will always be a tough place to go to, especially when the Lilywhites take the lead. Cork battled back, though, thanks to Billy Dennehy and a late winner from Denis Behan to move up into 3rd position. They face Galway on Friday at home and it will be a very tough test for the Leesiders.
Shamrock Rovers
Gary Twigg was the hero for Michael O’Neill and the Hoops last Friday. The striker claimed the first hat trick of the season against Galway United as the Tallaght outfit won by three goals to one at Terryland Park. The result meant that Rovers overtook the Tribesmen, albeit on the amount of goals they’ve scored. With goal difference separating Rovers, Galway and St. Pat’s, the Hoops could drop to as far seventh with a loss on Saturday night at home to Jeff Kenna’s erratic St Pat’s. However, depending on results elsewhere, they could also be in 2nd place.
Galway United
The Tribesmen were defeated by Shamrock Rovers at home last Friday and therefore, they dropped to fifth. However, if you asked United fans where they thought they would be coming the quarter mark of the season, the majority would haven’t have said top half. Derek O’Brien and Vinny Faherty have been excellent and a win down in Cork this weekend is far from impossible. Still a chance of Europe?
St Pat’s
They might have won against the basement club last weekend by two goals to one; however, it is impossible to predict which sort of Pat’s will turn up next weekend against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght on Saturday night. Come November, they could be in a European spot or struggling to keep their top-flight status. Impossible to predict.
Sligo Rovers
While it may be a big boost for the title chasing pack, the 0-0 draw with the champions will also be a huge boost for morale at the Showgrounds. Paul Cook’s team now have 7 points out of 9 and after a poor start, they look like they can move on up the table. They now have to make a trip to United Park where they should get a result against the side propping up the table.
Bray Wanderers
Bray are inexperienced and the Seagulls, I’m sure, will be more than happy if they retain their top flight status come the end of the year. They do seem to be scoring goals at home but they are also conceding. They’ve just the two defeats but it’s the constant draws, at home in particular, which has left them in 8th place.
Dundalk
The Lilywhites main problem seems to be basic defensive errors. Having taken the lead against Cork, the Co. Louth side conceded twice in the final quarter of an hour to lose 2-1 and Sean Connor would have been furious with the defence. It may be a struggle to stay afloat come the end but at least their hated neighbours are still below them in the table.
Drogheda United
Another defeat and still without a win Drogheda look destined for the drop as we reach the quarter mark of the season. No striker’s, poor all around, the Drogs look doomed. Sligo at home on Friday will be one of their best chances to get a win but I wouldn’t exactly place money on it.
Bohemians
Sligo held the champions to a scoreless draw on Saturday night and the result means the Gypsies lead is now just two points. It was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws, with both sides going close. Bohs’ best chance came when Brian Shelley hesitated with only the goalkeeper to beat on the half hour mark. 8th placed Bray come to Dalymount Park on Friday night, where the Bohs’ faithful will certainly be expecting a convincing win. Interestingly, they’ve conceded just two goals. The nearest challengers to that are Derry and Cork, who’ve conceded seven times each.
Derry City
The Candystripes failed to take advantage of the leaders dropping points; only managing a draw away to struggling Bray Wanderers. Having lead for almost an hour thanks to Ciaran Martyn, a good spell of pressure from Bray meant that Gary McCabe’s 73rd minute equaliser gave the two sides a share of the spoils. Stephen Kenny’s team now welcome Dundalk to the Brandywell and City will be strong favourites to keep the pressure on Bohs’ at the summit.
Cork City
Despite the ridiculous off the field problems, Cork are doing well on the pitch at present. While it may not be the same attacking football that the Rebel Army were treated to circa 2005, Paul Doolin has his side getting results and after all that is what matters most. Dundalk, despite their perilous position near the foot of the table, will always be a tough place to go to, especially when the Lilywhites take the lead. Cork battled back, though, thanks to Billy Dennehy and a late winner from Denis Behan to move up into 3rd position. They face Galway on Friday at home and it will be a very tough test for the Leesiders.
Shamrock Rovers
Gary Twigg was the hero for Michael O’Neill and the Hoops last Friday. The striker claimed the first hat trick of the season against Galway United as the Tallaght outfit won by three goals to one at Terryland Park. The result meant that Rovers overtook the Tribesmen, albeit on the amount of goals they’ve scored. With goal difference separating Rovers, Galway and St. Pat’s, the Hoops could drop to as far seventh with a loss on Saturday night at home to Jeff Kenna’s erratic St Pat’s. However, depending on results elsewhere, they could also be in 2nd place.
Galway United
The Tribesmen were defeated by Shamrock Rovers at home last Friday and therefore, they dropped to fifth. However, if you asked United fans where they thought they would be coming the quarter mark of the season, the majority would haven’t have said top half. Derek O’Brien and Vinny Faherty have been excellent and a win down in Cork this weekend is far from impossible. Still a chance of Europe?
St Pat’s
They might have won against the basement club last weekend by two goals to one; however, it is impossible to predict which sort of Pat’s will turn up next weekend against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght on Saturday night. Come November, they could be in a European spot or struggling to keep their top-flight status. Impossible to predict.
Sligo Rovers
While it may be a big boost for the title chasing pack, the 0-0 draw with the champions will also be a huge boost for morale at the Showgrounds. Paul Cook’s team now have 7 points out of 9 and after a poor start, they look like they can move on up the table. They now have to make a trip to United Park where they should get a result against the side propping up the table.
Bray Wanderers
Bray are inexperienced and the Seagulls, I’m sure, will be more than happy if they retain their top flight status come the end of the year. They do seem to be scoring goals at home but they are also conceding. They’ve just the two defeats but it’s the constant draws, at home in particular, which has left them in 8th place.
Dundalk
The Lilywhites main problem seems to be basic defensive errors. Having taken the lead against Cork, the Co. Louth side conceded twice in the final quarter of an hour to lose 2-1 and Sean Connor would have been furious with the defence. It may be a struggle to stay afloat come the end but at least their hated neighbours are still below them in the table.
Drogheda United
Another defeat and still without a win Drogheda look destined for the drop as we reach the quarter mark of the season. No striker’s, poor all around, the Drogs look doomed. Sligo at home on Friday will be one of their best chances to get a win but I wouldn’t exactly place money on it.
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