Title within touching distance for Sligo
League leaders Sligo Rovers could only manage a draw away to Bray Wanderers on Friday night despite creating several chances in the first half. The Seagulls refused to roll over and matched their opponents after the break to earn a deserved point at the Carlisle Grounds. That result means the gap between the Bit O’Red and second-placed St Patrick’s Athletic, who face Shamrock Rovers in Inchicore tonight, now stands at seven points and with just five league fixtures remaining, it is Ian Baraclough’s title to throw away. If Pat’s and Drogheda can keep up the pace, however, we’re set for a fascinating run-in as both play Sligo in the closing weeks.
Drogs earn cup success
Few people outside the club predicted that Drogheda United would be challenging for trophies back in March but here we are at the business end of the season and, after wrapping up the EA Sports Cup on Saturday, they remain in with a shout for the title. In Brian Laws’ first game in charge of Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda outplayed the Hoops at Tallaght Stadium with 2005 FAI Cup hero Fabio O’Brien on the scoresheet. Mick Cooke has worked wonders since arriving from Monaghan United and although the league may be a step too far, their cup triumph is a real positive story for Irish football.
Lilywhites looking down and out
With Dundalk running out of games to rescue their Premier Division status, Friday’s clash with Shelbourne was a must-win for the basement side but they went down 1-0 at home to Shelbourne. Their cause wasn’t helped by the sending off of influential player Mark Griffin, who was harshly awarded a straight red card for allegedly elbowing Brian Shorthall during an aerial challenge, and the Louth club lie eight points adrift of Bray Wanderers in tenth position. By the sound of things, caretaker manager Darius Kearns already seems resigned to finishing bottom, where an end-of-season play-off against the eventual First Division runner-up beckons.
LOI clubs wanted
The FAI last week announced that the Premier Division will remain a 12-team league for the 2013 campaign. Having witnessed Monaghan United pull out midway through the current season, the association have decided against altering the structure of the country’s top two domestic tiers by merging them into one because the clubs could not come to an agreement on the issue. So as it stands, the First Division will next year consist of just seven sides unless suitable intermediate clubs are willing to make the step up to League of Ireland football. With rumours that a couple of sides are considering pulling out of the league due to the crippling costs of their upkeep, we could be in for another winter of uncertainty.
Goal of the week
Bohemians defender Evan McMillen hadn’t scored a goal for the club in mid-July but, incredibly, has since notched seven times for the Gypsies. The former UCD player was again thrown up front against Cork and produced a top class finish in the second half as Aaron Callaghan’s men rescued a point.
Watch that goal below:
YouTube credit: dotsy129
