Premier Division Round-Up: Series 9
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
We’re at the quarter mark already and extratime.ie reporter, Alan Smith, is here to review the past week after Bohs remained top and Cork City moved into 2nd place. At the bottom, Drogheda remain without a win while Dundalk moved up the table with a good win at the Brandywell.
1. Bohemians
Bohs remain top of the table after an easy 2-0 win over struggling Bray last Friday. Two goals from Killian Brennan and Jason Byrne before half time gave Pat Fenlon’s team the win and with a poor Dundalk side coming to Dalymount on Friday another three points should be added to the champions tally. With only two goals conceded in nine, is it already starting to look ominous?
2. Cork City
Paul Doolin’s team moved above Derry City last weekend, after a hard-fought victory over Galway United. Billy Dennehy, who has been immense for the Rebel Army, scored the only goal midway through the opening period and made it seven games unbeaten for his side. Sligo Rovers travel to Turner’s Cross on Friday and Cork should be able to keep the run going.
3. Derry City
The Candystripes were defeated by Dundalk at home, therefore drop to third position in the standings. The loss was Derry’s second in just three games and unless they get a run of wins under their belt soon, Bohemians will just keep on extending the gap. They should get back to winning ways on Friday though, with a trip to Drogheda United, who are yet to win a game this season.
4. Shamrock Rovers
The Hoops went level on points with Derry City and it was down to Gary Twigg, again. The Scottish striker got both goals for Rovers against St. Pat’s at Tallaght. After a poor enough first half, Twigg grabbed a brace in the second period as the home team took the spoils in the first Dublin derby at Tallaght. With an inexperienced Bray Wanderers coming to Tallaght on Friday, a win could propel Rovers up to second depending on results elsewhere.
5. Galway United
Galway appear to be in freefall at present after their third loss in four against Cork City last weekend. With just six points from twenty one, Ian Foster, despite the poor form of late remains quite happy with his side so far. "I’m delighted with the start we’ve had to the season and now we’ll kick on in the second round and see what we can get,” he told Alan Dooley after their first defeat away from home. They’re level on points with St Pat’s at present and the Tribesmen welcome the Dubliners to Terryland Park on Friday night.
6. St Patrick’s Athletic
Jeff Kenna’s team came away with nothing from Tallaght Stadium on Saturday night, as their inconsistency continues. They have the worst defence in the league at the quarter mark, having conceded 14 goals from their nine games. However, they’ve also used 22 players and the lack of familiarity in the team may be a cause for their erratic performances on the pitch. The tie against fifth place Galway on Friday will certainly be a close one but which Pat’s side will turn up?
7. Dundalk
Not many gamblers would have had the Lilywhites down to beat Derry on their coupons last weekend but they did just that. A single goal from Darren Mansaram, his third so far this campaign, was enough for Sean Connor’s men. The win propelled the Louth outfit from 9th to 7th and any sort of result at Dalymount Park against the champions will be another major boost as they try to stay above water in the top tier.
8. Sligo Rovers
The Bit O’Red may have only come back to the North-West with a point from United Park but it must be realised that all of Drogheda’s points so far have come from home games, while Paul Cook would probably be happy with a point in retrospect considering the circumstances. The game may have lacked a goal but there was still some good entertainment as Rovers were reduced to nine men after Danny Ventre and Owen Morrison both received their marching orders in a game which was marred by a lack of fluidity as well as the amount of cards which were handed out by Richie Winter. To cap a bad night discipline-wise off, Paul Cook was then sent to the stands from his dug out by Winter late in the game.
9. Bray Wanderers
I know we’ve said it before in previous round-ups, but Eddie Gormley is really up against it with such an inexperienced squad. The Seagulls battled well against the champions at Dalymount but setting up negatively and looking to defend against a team with Jason Byrne et al was never going to end up positively. They’ll keep battling though and depending on other results, a win at Turner’s Cross could put them mid-table come 10pm on Friday night.
10. Drogheda United
Still without a win, it’s beginning to look like the Co Louth outfit are almost a certainty to go down. It’s obvious that their poorness in front of goal will be their biggest downfall but will there be money there for Alan Matthews to bring in some new players when the window opens or will it be too late by then for them to salvage what already looks like a tough challenge.
1. Bohemians
Bohs remain top of the table after an easy 2-0 win over struggling Bray last Friday. Two goals from Killian Brennan and Jason Byrne before half time gave Pat Fenlon’s team the win and with a poor Dundalk side coming to Dalymount on Friday another three points should be added to the champions tally. With only two goals conceded in nine, is it already starting to look ominous?
2. Cork City
Paul Doolin’s team moved above Derry City last weekend, after a hard-fought victory over Galway United. Billy Dennehy, who has been immense for the Rebel Army, scored the only goal midway through the opening period and made it seven games unbeaten for his side. Sligo Rovers travel to Turner’s Cross on Friday and Cork should be able to keep the run going.
3. Derry City
The Candystripes were defeated by Dundalk at home, therefore drop to third position in the standings. The loss was Derry’s second in just three games and unless they get a run of wins under their belt soon, Bohemians will just keep on extending the gap. They should get back to winning ways on Friday though, with a trip to Drogheda United, who are yet to win a game this season.
4. Shamrock Rovers
The Hoops went level on points with Derry City and it was down to Gary Twigg, again. The Scottish striker got both goals for Rovers against St. Pat’s at Tallaght. After a poor enough first half, Twigg grabbed a brace in the second period as the home team took the spoils in the first Dublin derby at Tallaght. With an inexperienced Bray Wanderers coming to Tallaght on Friday, a win could propel Rovers up to second depending on results elsewhere.
5. Galway United
Galway appear to be in freefall at present after their third loss in four against Cork City last weekend. With just six points from twenty one, Ian Foster, despite the poor form of late remains quite happy with his side so far. "I’m delighted with the start we’ve had to the season and now we’ll kick on in the second round and see what we can get,” he told Alan Dooley after their first defeat away from home. They’re level on points with St Pat’s at present and the Tribesmen welcome the Dubliners to Terryland Park on Friday night.
6. St Patrick’s Athletic
Jeff Kenna’s team came away with nothing from Tallaght Stadium on Saturday night, as their inconsistency continues. They have the worst defence in the league at the quarter mark, having conceded 14 goals from their nine games. However, they’ve also used 22 players and the lack of familiarity in the team may be a cause for their erratic performances on the pitch. The tie against fifth place Galway on Friday will certainly be a close one but which Pat’s side will turn up?
7. Dundalk
Not many gamblers would have had the Lilywhites down to beat Derry on their coupons last weekend but they did just that. A single goal from Darren Mansaram, his third so far this campaign, was enough for Sean Connor’s men. The win propelled the Louth outfit from 9th to 7th and any sort of result at Dalymount Park against the champions will be another major boost as they try to stay above water in the top tier.
8. Sligo Rovers
The Bit O’Red may have only come back to the North-West with a point from United Park but it must be realised that all of Drogheda’s points so far have come from home games, while Paul Cook would probably be happy with a point in retrospect considering the circumstances. The game may have lacked a goal but there was still some good entertainment as Rovers were reduced to nine men after Danny Ventre and Owen Morrison both received their marching orders in a game which was marred by a lack of fluidity as well as the amount of cards which were handed out by Richie Winter. To cap a bad night discipline-wise off, Paul Cook was then sent to the stands from his dug out by Winter late in the game.
9. Bray Wanderers
I know we’ve said it before in previous round-ups, but Eddie Gormley is really up against it with such an inexperienced squad. The Seagulls battled well against the champions at Dalymount but setting up negatively and looking to defend against a team with Jason Byrne et al was never going to end up positively. They’ll keep battling though and depending on other results, a win at Turner’s Cross could put them mid-table come 10pm on Friday night.
10. Drogheda United
Still without a win, it’s beginning to look like the Co Louth outfit are almost a certainty to go down. It’s obvious that their poorness in front of goal will be their biggest downfall but will there be money there for Alan Matthews to bring in some new players when the window opens or will it be too late by then for them to salvage what already looks like a tough challenge.
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