Premier Division: Week 13 Round-up
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Cork City remained on top for another week, though Bohs’ kept up the pressure with a very lucky win against bottom of the table Drogheda United. Alan Smith reviews Round 13 before the top two meet next week.
1. Cork City
Paul Doolin's Rebel Army continue to march on, easily brushing a poor Bray Wanderers aside at the Carlisle Grounds. Cork never really looked under pressure and a goal in either half from Denis Behan and Colin Healy was enough to keep them three points clear at the top. The club were also given three more weeks to pay back the hefty tax bill they now owe the revenue. The top of the table clash on Friday night is being billed down south as the biggest game at Turner's Cross for a very long time. A bumper crowd is expected and it will be needed too if the club are to stave off their financial problems.
2. Bohemians
Bohs' were lucky, very lucky, to come away with a win against bottom of the table Drogheda United- scoring in the 4th minute of added time to keep them within a win of the leaders. Mark Hughes was the hero with a header right at the death. Pat Fenlon's team have been far from great recently and will need to improve greatly if they're to draw level with Cork come 9.40 on Friday night. Nonetheless, the game will be a cracker- get to it if you can.
3. Derry City
The Candystripes now find themselves seven points behind Cork after a scoreless draw against Shamrock Rovers. It was a decent game at the Brandywell, with both sides having good chances to take the lead. Stephen Kenny was left dissapointed again though, after Mark Farren squandered an excellent chance in the second half. Face a tricky trip to Terryland Park tomorrow night; a ground where nobody finds it easy to come home with three points.
4. Shamrock Rovers
Rovers' good run of form continued last weekend, taking home a more than acceptable point from the Brandywell. The Hoops may have even won if Padriag Amond could have put away his one-on-one opportunity in the second half. They've now taken 15 points from the last 21 and find themselves level with Derry City and looking likely for a European spot if this form continues. Drogheda United come to Tallaght for the first time on Saturday night, and another three points should be on the cards.
5. Galway United
The north-west derby didn’t really go to plan for Ian Foster and his men, as Sligo Rovers got the better of them. A 2-0 loss against your local rivals isn’t the easiest thing to take, however, in the bigger picture of things it’s far from disastrous as the Tribesmen remain within four points of a European spot. Derry will be worried coming to Terryland tomorrow night.
6. St Patrick’s Athletic
Pat’s had their first win in five against Dundalk last weekend; a Mark Quigley goal on the half hour mark giving Jeff Kenna a badly needed three points. Should really get another few points on the board against Bray at home but it’s still a sorry state of affairs at Richmond Park.
7. Sligo Rovers
Sligo are in a very precarious position at present. Still not far away from the top half, but also just a couple of losses away from being in a relegation spot. The win against Galway was a good boost but it was just their third of the campaign. The tie with Dundalk, just a place below, will be a close one but another win will be excellent for Paul Cook & co.
8. Dundalk
Sean Connor and Dundalk, oh dear. Firstly, Dave Rogers made an absolute fool out of himself by mooning the Pats fans, before being sacked without even been told himself. The club released a statement saying he was to be dismissed immediately, before Rogers himself said that he is now making claims against unfair dismissal. George O’Callaghan meanwhile has left the club. To cap it all off, the Lilywhites lost again- their seventh of the campaign and Connor now finds himself under severe pressure. After failing at Bohs’ he really is beginning to lose his credibility with the inconsistency he has brought to Dundalk, despite the big names. Straight back down to the echelon’s of Division 1 if he doesn’t change- or maybe leave?
9. Bray Wanderers
Cork City coolly moved Bray Wanderers to the side of the road to glory by defeating the Seagulls 2-0. They’re going to struggle. Make of that what you will.
10 Drogheda United
They were very unlucky not to take a point back up the M1 after playing the champions. However, it probably serves their fans right for celebrating too early. It’s not over until the whistle blows lads. Still only eight points from safety and things are improving, albeit only slightly. Alan Matthews is probably the best in the game for working on a shoestring so hope lives on at United Park.
1. Cork City
Paul Doolin's Rebel Army continue to march on, easily brushing a poor Bray Wanderers aside at the Carlisle Grounds. Cork never really looked under pressure and a goal in either half from Denis Behan and Colin Healy was enough to keep them three points clear at the top. The club were also given three more weeks to pay back the hefty tax bill they now owe the revenue. The top of the table clash on Friday night is being billed down south as the biggest game at Turner's Cross for a very long time. A bumper crowd is expected and it will be needed too if the club are to stave off their financial problems.
2. Bohemians
Bohs' were lucky, very lucky, to come away with a win against bottom of the table Drogheda United- scoring in the 4th minute of added time to keep them within a win of the leaders. Mark Hughes was the hero with a header right at the death. Pat Fenlon's team have been far from great recently and will need to improve greatly if they're to draw level with Cork come 9.40 on Friday night. Nonetheless, the game will be a cracker- get to it if you can.
3. Derry City
The Candystripes now find themselves seven points behind Cork after a scoreless draw against Shamrock Rovers. It was a decent game at the Brandywell, with both sides having good chances to take the lead. Stephen Kenny was left dissapointed again though, after Mark Farren squandered an excellent chance in the second half. Face a tricky trip to Terryland Park tomorrow night; a ground where nobody finds it easy to come home with three points.
4. Shamrock Rovers
Rovers' good run of form continued last weekend, taking home a more than acceptable point from the Brandywell. The Hoops may have even won if Padriag Amond could have put away his one-on-one opportunity in the second half. They've now taken 15 points from the last 21 and find themselves level with Derry City and looking likely for a European spot if this form continues. Drogheda United come to Tallaght for the first time on Saturday night, and another three points should be on the cards.
5. Galway United
The north-west derby didn’t really go to plan for Ian Foster and his men, as Sligo Rovers got the better of them. A 2-0 loss against your local rivals isn’t the easiest thing to take, however, in the bigger picture of things it’s far from disastrous as the Tribesmen remain within four points of a European spot. Derry will be worried coming to Terryland tomorrow night.
6. St Patrick’s Athletic
Pat’s had their first win in five against Dundalk last weekend; a Mark Quigley goal on the half hour mark giving Jeff Kenna a badly needed three points. Should really get another few points on the board against Bray at home but it’s still a sorry state of affairs at Richmond Park.
7. Sligo Rovers
Sligo are in a very precarious position at present. Still not far away from the top half, but also just a couple of losses away from being in a relegation spot. The win against Galway was a good boost but it was just their third of the campaign. The tie with Dundalk, just a place below, will be a close one but another win will be excellent for Paul Cook & co.
8. Dundalk
Sean Connor and Dundalk, oh dear. Firstly, Dave Rogers made an absolute fool out of himself by mooning the Pats fans, before being sacked without even been told himself. The club released a statement saying he was to be dismissed immediately, before Rogers himself said that he is now making claims against unfair dismissal. George O’Callaghan meanwhile has left the club. To cap it all off, the Lilywhites lost again- their seventh of the campaign and Connor now finds himself under severe pressure. After failing at Bohs’ he really is beginning to lose his credibility with the inconsistency he has brought to Dundalk, despite the big names. Straight back down to the echelon’s of Division 1 if he doesn’t change- or maybe leave?
9. Bray Wanderers
Cork City coolly moved Bray Wanderers to the side of the road to glory by defeating the Seagulls 2-0. They’re going to struggle. Make of that what you will.
10 Drogheda United
They were very unlucky not to take a point back up the M1 after playing the champions. However, it probably serves their fans right for celebrating too early. It’s not over until the whistle blows lads. Still only eight points from safety and things are improving, albeit only slightly. Alan Matthews is probably the best in the game for working on a shoestring so hope lives on at United Park.
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