Limerick and Bray – polar opposites
BRAY TURNED UP to the Markets Field without a manager, without much of a gameplan and without much hope. The club itself is undermining the players, while many see it the other way around at Limerick.
Bray players haven’t been paid in recent weeks and months, and while there was a delay in wages at Limerick recently, the players have been paid in full. They have no grounds issues, they have a manager and they have a great structure in place.
There should have only been one winner. There was – but not the one you expected.
Sheer determination and a will to win saw the Seagulls over the line on a night where their playing staff need to be commended for their professionalism.
Andrew Cunneen
Derby defeat marks start of tough month for Drogs
Drogheda’s next two home games are against St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers and with Friday night’s late defeat to Dundalk thrown into the mix, it really is as tough a month could be for Johnny McDonnell and his team.
They’ve improved immeasurably over the last six weeks and the last gasp win over Bohemians will have been considered very timely bonus points ahead of this month’s run of games.
They almost had another here but were cruelly denied. Still, McDonnell has found a settled team and formation and key men like Lee Duffy and Alan Byrne have found form.
Dundalk pulled a win out of the bag as champions – and would be champions again – tend to do.
Barry Landy
Profligacy costs both sides in Connacht derby
Poor finishing from both sides was the talking point from Sligo’s draw with Galway. Slack defending from either team offered plenty of opportunities for a winner but neither the Bit O’Red or the Tribesmen could capitalise.
Keith Ward and Dinny Corcoran were wasteful for the home side late on, while Galway’s Padraic Cunningham should have done better with his chance eleven minutes from time but he could only shoot directly at Sligo’s Richard Brush.
Rovers will need to improve their goals to chances ratio over the coming weeks should they wish to dig themselves out of the rut they find themselves currently in.
David Goulden
Lack of potency costs Bohs, again
Both Longford Town and Bohemians had enough chances in this game that this could have easily ended up looking like a rugby score. Build up play and defensive prowess including the keeper’s displays was fantastic but the end product left a lot to be desired.
If either team comes up against stronger opposition, you get the feel they will be punished. It’s an area which has caused problems for Bohs before and after a bright start to the season, Keith Long’s side are in danger of going backwards after suffering successive defeats.
For Longford, however, they will be delighted with their lofty position on their return to the top-flight. They stole this one at the death but they are the sort of wins that always taste the sweetest.
Michael Spencer
Clubs hold their own in Europe
It was a somewhat disjointed week of domestic action, owing to the involvement of League of Ireland clubs in the Europa League qualifying first round first legs. By and large, it was a hugely encouraging set of results with all four clubs still in the hunt to progress.
UCD’s win over F91 Dudelange on Thursday was the standout result as the Students recorded an historic victory to give themselves a great chance going over to Luxembourg for the return leg.
Shamrock Rovers earned a credible draw away to Progres Niederkom and Pat Fenlon’s side will be favourites to advance while Cork dominated for large periods in their tie with KR Reykjavik at Turner’s Cross.
Pat’s are up against it after losing on the road but are no means out of contention against Skonto Riga.
The League of Ireland invariably receives bad publicity for its obvious shortcomings but when clubs perform on the European stage, it’s another sign of its enduring worth.
Let’s hope they can finish the job this week.
