Premier Division Roundup: Series 14 & 15
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Alan Smith is here with his weekly roundup and it’s a bumper double series review. Bohs’ returned to the top, while Cork lost twice in Series 13 &14. Also, Drogheda closed the gap at the bottom to just three points with neighbours Dundalk in 9th place.
1 Bohemians
It’s been a good week for the champions as their narrow win over Drogheda United led them into battle with Cork City. They defeated the Leesiders 1-0 at Turner’s Cross to draw level and last night’s win over Galway United gave them breathing space at the top, as second-placed Cork lost to basement club, Drogheda United. Jason Byrne scored in both games, his 12th and 13th of the season. The striker proclaimed to extratime.ie: “This year I’m fitter than I’ve ever been and the goals are flying in for me and long may it continue.” The St Pat’s defence should be feeling a little ill at the prospect of Byrne coming to Richmond Park on Friday night.
2 Cork City
This time last week, you would not have expected Cork to have lost two on the bounce, particularly against bottom of the table Drogs. However, a sterling effort through May, where Paul Doolin’s side didn’t conceded until the Bohs’ game on Friday night, shouldn’t ruin their aspirations- it’s more of a dent. The next thing now for the Leesiders’ is their ability to drag themselves out of this blip. Gary Twigg and Shamrock Rovers come to town on Friday and a win is vital. The defence can keep Twigg quiet, but will they be able to score?
3 Derry City
6 points from two games for the Candystripes has pulled them right back into the title race. A Sammy Morrow influenced 3-0 win over Galway United was followed up by a 1-0 victory against St Pat’s at the Brandywell last night, Gareth McGlynn getting the winner 15minutes before the end. They’re now just 4 point behind Bohemians, while the gap between themselves and Cork is now just a point despite being a gap of seven this time last week.
4 Shamrock Rovers
Rovers had a double whammy against the County Louth sides in Tallaght, and took four more points from six. The Hoops would have been disappointed with the late concession of a Jamie Duffy goal against Drogheda United at the weekend as they drew 1-1. However, they made amends with a 3-1 win over Dundalk last night. Twigg scored another two, while Dessie Baker added a third late on. They’re the only two Rovers players to have scored in the league at Tallaght- a truly amazing statistic. The Hoops face Cork on Friday and could be in second if Derry fail to win at Sligo Rovers.
5 Galway United
There’s now an eight point gap between Galway in 5th and Rovers who are directly above them, while the Tribesmen find themselves just three points from being in a relegation play-off spot. The champions dispatched of Ian Foster’s outfit last night 2-0, while Derry hammered them at Terryland 3-0 last Thursday. A resurgent Drogheda United come to town on Friday night and there’s now some pressure on Foster & co. to produce the goods before being dragged into the relegation battle.
6 Sligo Rovers
Sligo may be in 6th at present, but they can drop into a play-off spot if Derry get the better of them at the Showgrounds on Friday night. A 2-0 win over Dundalk gave them a boost but after only being able to name 2 substitutes against Bray last night, they went down three goals to one. When fully fit, the Bit O’Red are certainly stronger than the sides below them and once Paul Cook can get his side fit, they shouldn’t have much to worry about.
7 St Patrick’s Athletic
How astonishing would it be if one of the biggest clubs would go down despite having a decent squad and no ridiculous off-the-field problems? Just one win in eight, their form, as we get quite near to the mid-season break, has been as consistent as a bus from Inchicore into Dublin city centre. Put your money on Bohs winning at Richmond Park on Friday, it’ll just be like a bus - one defeat followed closely by another.
8 Bray Wanderers
The Seagulls picked up their third win of the campaign against a depleted Sligo last night, but they still remain in the relegation play-off places. After Sligo had taken the lead through Rafa Cretaro, Danny Ventre’s deflection put the team’s level again. Gareth Coughlan put Eddie Gormley’s team into the lead on 55, while Gary McCabe added a third late on.
9 Dundalk
“Connor Out” emanated around Oriel Park after Sligo won 2-0 against the Lilywhites. Then Gary Twigg’s brace and Dessie Baker’s strike meant that Sean Connor’s team lost for the ninth time in fifteen. Simply not good enough and things could get even worse if fellow strugglers Bray can get a result at Oriel.
10 Drogheda United
Alan Matthews got a one over on his former club last night, giving Drogheda their first win at United Park this season. The gap to safety has closed dramatically, after they picked up a point in Tallaght last Friday. Just six points now from getting into 7th. Travel to Galway United in a very positive manner on Friday night.
1 Bohemians
It’s been a good week for the champions as their narrow win over Drogheda United led them into battle with Cork City. They defeated the Leesiders 1-0 at Turner’s Cross to draw level and last night’s win over Galway United gave them breathing space at the top, as second-placed Cork lost to basement club, Drogheda United. Jason Byrne scored in both games, his 12th and 13th of the season. The striker proclaimed to extratime.ie: “This year I’m fitter than I’ve ever been and the goals are flying in for me and long may it continue.” The St Pat’s defence should be feeling a little ill at the prospect of Byrne coming to Richmond Park on Friday night.
2 Cork City
This time last week, you would not have expected Cork to have lost two on the bounce, particularly against bottom of the table Drogs. However, a sterling effort through May, where Paul Doolin’s side didn’t conceded until the Bohs’ game on Friday night, shouldn’t ruin their aspirations- it’s more of a dent. The next thing now for the Leesiders’ is their ability to drag themselves out of this blip. Gary Twigg and Shamrock Rovers come to town on Friday and a win is vital. The defence can keep Twigg quiet, but will they be able to score?
3 Derry City
6 points from two games for the Candystripes has pulled them right back into the title race. A Sammy Morrow influenced 3-0 win over Galway United was followed up by a 1-0 victory against St Pat’s at the Brandywell last night, Gareth McGlynn getting the winner 15minutes before the end. They’re now just 4 point behind Bohemians, while the gap between themselves and Cork is now just a point despite being a gap of seven this time last week.
4 Shamrock Rovers
Rovers had a double whammy against the County Louth sides in Tallaght, and took four more points from six. The Hoops would have been disappointed with the late concession of a Jamie Duffy goal against Drogheda United at the weekend as they drew 1-1. However, they made amends with a 3-1 win over Dundalk last night. Twigg scored another two, while Dessie Baker added a third late on. They’re the only two Rovers players to have scored in the league at Tallaght- a truly amazing statistic. The Hoops face Cork on Friday and could be in second if Derry fail to win at Sligo Rovers.
5 Galway United
There’s now an eight point gap between Galway in 5th and Rovers who are directly above them, while the Tribesmen find themselves just three points from being in a relegation play-off spot. The champions dispatched of Ian Foster’s outfit last night 2-0, while Derry hammered them at Terryland 3-0 last Thursday. A resurgent Drogheda United come to town on Friday night and there’s now some pressure on Foster & co. to produce the goods before being dragged into the relegation battle.
6 Sligo Rovers
Sligo may be in 6th at present, but they can drop into a play-off spot if Derry get the better of them at the Showgrounds on Friday night. A 2-0 win over Dundalk gave them a boost but after only being able to name 2 substitutes against Bray last night, they went down three goals to one. When fully fit, the Bit O’Red are certainly stronger than the sides below them and once Paul Cook can get his side fit, they shouldn’t have much to worry about.
7 St Patrick’s Athletic
How astonishing would it be if one of the biggest clubs would go down despite having a decent squad and no ridiculous off-the-field problems? Just one win in eight, their form, as we get quite near to the mid-season break, has been as consistent as a bus from Inchicore into Dublin city centre. Put your money on Bohs winning at Richmond Park on Friday, it’ll just be like a bus - one defeat followed closely by another.
8 Bray Wanderers
The Seagulls picked up their third win of the campaign against a depleted Sligo last night, but they still remain in the relegation play-off places. After Sligo had taken the lead through Rafa Cretaro, Danny Ventre’s deflection put the team’s level again. Gareth Coughlan put Eddie Gormley’s team into the lead on 55, while Gary McCabe added a third late on.
9 Dundalk
“Connor Out” emanated around Oriel Park after Sligo won 2-0 against the Lilywhites. Then Gary Twigg’s brace and Dessie Baker’s strike meant that Sean Connor’s team lost for the ninth time in fifteen. Simply not good enough and things could get even worse if fellow strugglers Bray can get a result at Oriel.
10 Drogheda United
Alan Matthews got a one over on his former club last night, giving Drogheda their first win at United Park this season. The gap to safety has closed dramatically, after they picked up a point in Tallaght last Friday. Just six points now from getting into 7th. Travel to Galway United in a very positive manner on Friday night.
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