Young guns shine for Pat’s
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC’S SSE Airtricity League challenge may have disappointed, but Saturday’s EA Sports Cup final success over Galway United bodes well. The impact made by youngsters Conor O’Malley, Sean Hoare, and Lee Desmond was significant.
Three wins in this year’s competition have been posted through penalty shoot-outs in which O’Malley’s potential was evident.
Desmond’s polished left-back performance at Eamonn Deacy Park was the highlight for many travelling Saints, while Hoare’s combative defending continues to impress. Manager Liam Buckley will be anxious to ensure all three remain at Richmond Park next season.
- Cian O’Connell
Lilywhite-wash in the Louth derby
Understandable, Dundalk’s unrelenting march to the title gets brought up time and time again here.
They were superb and 11 points clear with Cork having just 15 points to play for, they are deserving champions elect for a second straight season. The Louth derby has been a fixture of the League of Ireland Premier Division for years, but the feeling this may be the last one for some time was inescapable at Oriel Park.
Drogheda showed no ambition with 11 men, and were hopeless with ten. Of course, the calibre of opposition has to be taken into consideration but the stark reality remains – Drogheda need points on the board. Limerick and Derry certainly and Sligo – to an extent – have momentum. Drogheda face three of the top five in their final handful of games. Relegation is staring them in the face.
- Barry Landy
Milestown for McCabe as Rovers find Doherty on top from
Ex-Premier League and Republic of Ireland star, Damien Duffy came off the bench on 56 minutes in an attempt to unlock the stubborn Derry defence. And 10 minutes later he was presented with a one-one-one situation with goalkeeper, Gerard Doherty but the Derry stopper saved superbly with his out-stretched leg.
Meanwhile, Gary McCabe made his 200th appearance for the club at the Brandywell. The Tallaght native is Rovers’ longest-serving current player having joined from Sligo Rovers in 2010 and it’s a fantastic achievement in an age when LOI players often have to make do with short-term contracts.
- Simon Collins & Ben Blake
Town edge towards safety
Longford Town collected a crucial league point from what is a tough away fixture but they still need more to move away from the drop zone. Tony Cousins’ men could capitalise this Saturday at home against a St Patrick’s Athletic team who may have celebrated their League Cup win too hard. A win over the Saints and at least a point at home to fellow strugglers Sligo Rovers should see the Town safe.
- Stephen Doyle
