Premier Division round-up: Series 16
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
In Series 16 Bohemians were hammered by St Pat’s, while Derry City moved up into second place past Cork City. Dundalk gave their survival hopes a huge boost, while Drogheda United picked up another point as they look to move off of the foot of the table. Alan Smith reviews the action…
1 Bohemians
The Champions remain top despite a battering against St Pat’s at Richmond Park on Friday. Nobody would have expected the Gypsies to have been beaten convincingly by what is still a very erratic Pats side. Bohs were 3-0 down until Owen Heary’s late consolation. A minor blip or could this be another twist into the tale? Face non-league Mayfield United in the cup tomorrow night. Anything less than a convincing win will be very embarrassing for Pat Fenlon and company.
2 Derry City
Sammy Morrow’s early goal was enough to beat Sligo Rovers and move the Candystripes above Cork City and put Stephen Kenny’s side just a point behind Bohs. Just one loss in seven has made it certain that there will now be a very close three way race for the title – Shamrock Rovers might argue with that, so lets say four not to upset the Hoops. Ballymun will be easily dispatched at the Brandywell tomorrow night in what looks like the most straight-forward of cup ties.
3 Cork City
Just one point from nine, but it’s still far from disaster. Cork City dropped to third position but closed the gap on Bohs to just two points with a 0-0 draw against Shamrock Rovers. The Rebels may not have won in four, but losing against the champions isn’t disastrous and though the Drogheda result was poor, to get a point against a very solid Shamrock Rovers is far from poor. Face Sligo in the cup at home.
4 Shamrock Rovers
Rovers are like an annoying older sibling; they’re very hard to get the better of and you will be left frustrated when you can’t break them down before Gary Twigg pops up to tap-in another goal. Cork City were lucky Twigg done absolutely nothing at Turner’s Cross because the Leesiders would probably be still trying to break the Hoops down a week later. Seven points ahead of Pats and will no doubt keep the pressure on the three above them to fight for that final European spot.
5 St Patricks Athletic
That was a shock… No. It really was. Bohemians may not be on a great run of form lately but for them to be beaten convincingly by Pats was a very big upset. Almost as big as Drogheda beating Cork. Ryan Guy opened up the scoring on 55, while Jason Gavin made it 2-0 as John Lester finished off the Saints’ best 20 minutes of the season. Still closer to being relegated than moving up into 4th position though.
6 Galway United
Despite a great start which found them top of the table, Galway have been on a downward slide. A draw against the improving Drogheda United meant that the Tribesmen are now just two points away from being put into the relegation play-off spot. Worrying times for Ian Foster but a trip northwards to face Finn Harps should come as a welcome distraction from league matters.
7 Sligo Rovers
Beaten by Derry at home last time out but were only able to name two substitutes. Paul Cook’s only real worry is his lack of fit players. Once he can get the squad fit, then they really have more than enough to climb out of this relegation battle. Mid-table safety should be theirs if the injury list thins down a bit. Travel to Cork tomorrow night, can they fill the bench?
8 Dundalk
Chris Turner set the tone for the Lilywhites against Bray last Friday, scoring in the first minute. Ger Rowe and Tiarnan Mulvenna added two more goals as the Louth outfit moved level with 7th place Sligo. Still a tip to go straight back down.
9 Bray Wanderers
Bray have won just one in six and really look like favourites to go down. Waterford, Fingal, Shels and UCD would all fancy their chances of beating Eddie Gormely’s side if they meet in a play-off. You’ve permission to remind me of this if they’re don’t finish in the bottom three because on their current showing, the only way is down.
10 Drogheda United
Drogheda, if they continue this run of form and decent performances, should now stay up. In comparison to what they were like in the first series of games, Drogs are a new side. Alan Matthews seems to be the best around at working on a shoestring and you wouldn’t bet against him getting Drogs off of the bottom. Unlucky to get Shamrock Rovers away in the cup tomorrow night.
1 Bohemians
The Champions remain top despite a battering against St Pat’s at Richmond Park on Friday. Nobody would have expected the Gypsies to have been beaten convincingly by what is still a very erratic Pats side. Bohs were 3-0 down until Owen Heary’s late consolation. A minor blip or could this be another twist into the tale? Face non-league Mayfield United in the cup tomorrow night. Anything less than a convincing win will be very embarrassing for Pat Fenlon and company.
2 Derry City
Sammy Morrow’s early goal was enough to beat Sligo Rovers and move the Candystripes above Cork City and put Stephen Kenny’s side just a point behind Bohs. Just one loss in seven has made it certain that there will now be a very close three way race for the title – Shamrock Rovers might argue with that, so lets say four not to upset the Hoops. Ballymun will be easily dispatched at the Brandywell tomorrow night in what looks like the most straight-forward of cup ties.
3 Cork City
Just one point from nine, but it’s still far from disaster. Cork City dropped to third position but closed the gap on Bohs to just two points with a 0-0 draw against Shamrock Rovers. The Rebels may not have won in four, but losing against the champions isn’t disastrous and though the Drogheda result was poor, to get a point against a very solid Shamrock Rovers is far from poor. Face Sligo in the cup at home.
4 Shamrock Rovers
Rovers are like an annoying older sibling; they’re very hard to get the better of and you will be left frustrated when you can’t break them down before Gary Twigg pops up to tap-in another goal. Cork City were lucky Twigg done absolutely nothing at Turner’s Cross because the Leesiders would probably be still trying to break the Hoops down a week later. Seven points ahead of Pats and will no doubt keep the pressure on the three above them to fight for that final European spot.
5 St Patricks Athletic
That was a shock… No. It really was. Bohemians may not be on a great run of form lately but for them to be beaten convincingly by Pats was a very big upset. Almost as big as Drogheda beating Cork. Ryan Guy opened up the scoring on 55, while Jason Gavin made it 2-0 as John Lester finished off the Saints’ best 20 minutes of the season. Still closer to being relegated than moving up into 4th position though.
6 Galway United
Despite a great start which found them top of the table, Galway have been on a downward slide. A draw against the improving Drogheda United meant that the Tribesmen are now just two points away from being put into the relegation play-off spot. Worrying times for Ian Foster but a trip northwards to face Finn Harps should come as a welcome distraction from league matters.
7 Sligo Rovers
Beaten by Derry at home last time out but were only able to name two substitutes. Paul Cook’s only real worry is his lack of fit players. Once he can get the squad fit, then they really have more than enough to climb out of this relegation battle. Mid-table safety should be theirs if the injury list thins down a bit. Travel to Cork tomorrow night, can they fill the bench?
8 Dundalk
Chris Turner set the tone for the Lilywhites against Bray last Friday, scoring in the first minute. Ger Rowe and Tiarnan Mulvenna added two more goals as the Louth outfit moved level with 7th place Sligo. Still a tip to go straight back down.
9 Bray Wanderers
Bray have won just one in six and really look like favourites to go down. Waterford, Fingal, Shels and UCD would all fancy their chances of beating Eddie Gormely’s side if they meet in a play-off. You’ve permission to remind me of this if they’re don’t finish in the bottom three because on their current showing, the only way is down.
10 Drogheda United
Drogheda, if they continue this run of form and decent performances, should now stay up. In comparison to what they were like in the first series of games, Drogs are a new side. Alan Matthews seems to be the best around at working on a shoestring and you wouldn’t bet against him getting Drogs off of the bottom. Unlucky to get Shamrock Rovers away in the cup tomorrow 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