Rovers return
Credit:
The fact that Sligo Rovers will face either Shamrock Rovers or St Pat’s in the FAI Cup final is as good as it gets for those behind the scenes within the league who up until the semi-finals would have worried about the Aviva being empty.
Of course there will still probably be more empty seats than bums on seats but if a club with a smaller fanbase than the three sides left with a chance to lift the cup in November were still involved, then it could have looked very embarrassing indeed to stage the final at the revamped HQ.
Sligo have now turned into the cup kingpins, with the EA Sports Cup already at the Showgrounds, this double will represent a seismic shift in fortunes for the westerners.
In fact they still have much to play for in the league with a European spot on the cards, and The Bit O’ Red will essentially have another two ‘cup finals’ against UCD and Pats in their final two league games too.
It’s nothing short of what they deserve really and most of the credit must go to Paul Cook, who is earning himself a big name in the managerial world thanks to his transformation at the Showgrounds.
It was also fitting that Gavin Peers’ header with 15 minutes left on the clock has given the defender a chance to redeem himself at the Aviva after suffering through the horrors of Man United’s demolition job in the stadium’s opener.
Meanwhile Joey Ndo, one of the greatest ever players to grace the league, is still turning in man of the match performances and he would certainly deserve to win the cup – the only competition still to elude him in Ireland – after eight years in the league.
Ndo is the most decorated player we’ve had in the league for some time and going on this writers’ youthful memory, the most skilful and fascinating.
After Sunday’s 2-2 draw in the other semi-final, and the manner of which Shamrock Rovers are throwing away their hopes of any silverware this season, it seems to be all playing into the hands of Sligo.
Incidentally over a pint in Dublin on Saturday night, talk turned to an FAI Cup clash some years ago where the Tallaght side benefitted from a fortunate own goal at Turner’s Cross, when Alan Bennett hooked the ball into his own net from over 30 yards out.
I guess it has gone full circle now but even for those of us who have no allegiance to the Hoops, it’s a heart-wrenching state of affairs they find themselves in after the position they held just a few short weeks ago.
There’s still time to finish the year with success but their form and inability to hold onto leads looks like it will cost them dearly.
Of course the beauty of football is that their fortunes could change tonight with a win but despite two wins at Richmond Park already this year, three defeats and a draw in their last four games has cast a big shadow over a season which looked to have promised so much.
Of course there will still probably be more empty seats than bums on seats but if a club with a smaller fanbase than the three sides left with a chance to lift the cup in November were still involved, then it could have looked very embarrassing indeed to stage the final at the revamped HQ.
Sligo have now turned into the cup kingpins, with the EA Sports Cup already at the Showgrounds, this double will represent a seismic shift in fortunes for the westerners.
In fact they still have much to play for in the league with a European spot on the cards, and The Bit O’ Red will essentially have another two ‘cup finals’ against UCD and Pats in their final two league games too.
It’s nothing short of what they deserve really and most of the credit must go to Paul Cook, who is earning himself a big name in the managerial world thanks to his transformation at the Showgrounds.
It was also fitting that Gavin Peers’ header with 15 minutes left on the clock has given the defender a chance to redeem himself at the Aviva after suffering through the horrors of Man United’s demolition job in the stadium’s opener.
Meanwhile Joey Ndo, one of the greatest ever players to grace the league, is still turning in man of the match performances and he would certainly deserve to win the cup – the only competition still to elude him in Ireland – after eight years in the league.
Ndo is the most decorated player we’ve had in the league for some time and going on this writers’ youthful memory, the most skilful and fascinating.
After Sunday’s 2-2 draw in the other semi-final, and the manner of which Shamrock Rovers are throwing away their hopes of any silverware this season, it seems to be all playing into the hands of Sligo.
Incidentally over a pint in Dublin on Saturday night, talk turned to an FAI Cup clash some years ago where the Tallaght side benefitted from a fortunate own goal at Turner’s Cross, when Alan Bennett hooked the ball into his own net from over 30 yards out.
I guess it has gone full circle now but even for those of us who have no allegiance to the Hoops, it’s a heart-wrenching state of affairs they find themselves in after the position they held just a few short weeks ago.
There’s still time to finish the year with success but their form and inability to hold onto leads looks like it will cost them dearly.
Of course the beauty of football is that their fortunes could change tonight with a win but despite two wins at Richmond Park already this year, three defeats and a draw in their last four games has cast a big shadow over a season which looked to have promised so much.
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