Galway continue to shoot themselves in the foot
THIS ONE REARS its ugly head again as Galway United shoot themselves in the foot with their defending of set pieces. Time and time again this season Tommy Dunne’s men have conceded from corners and dangerous deliveries from free kicks – and Friday night was no different.
Both Shamrock Rovers goals came from free-kick deliveries into the box, with slack Galway marking allowing both goals to occur in each half. Luke Byrne was completely free to nod in their first from close range before Kieran Marty Walters was also allowed acres of space to drive home what proved to be the winner.
- Jason Byrne
Dundalk pick up where they left off
Limerick played some aesthetically pleasing stuff, but against a pacy and strong Dundalk team, that was a risky ploy that time and time again got Martin Russell’s team into trouble. Perhaps guilty of tiring a little pre-break, Dundalk looked re-energised at Oriel Park and Limerick all too easily allowed the champions to convert that energy into a six-star performance.
Returning captain Stephen O’Donnell – making his first league start of the year – scored early while Brian Gartland returned too, and scored twice.
The impressive spread of goals among the team has always been a key attribute of Stephen Kenny’s team. This game showed they’re back, with a spring in their step.
- Barry Landy
Bohemians look to avoid running out of steam
The mid-season break appeared to come at the wrong time for high-flying Bohemians.
After beating Shamrock Rovers a fortnight ago, Keith Long’s side had all the momentum but came unstuck on Friday night as Drogheda pulled off a smash and grab exercise at Dalymount Park.
It was a fantastic first-half to the season for Bohs but the real challenge will be to maintain that form as the business end of the campaign approaches.
Just like they’ve done for most of the season, the hosts dominated large spells of the contest but were unable to convert their possession before Drogheda landed the knock-out blow in the dying embers.
Long will be hoping it was merely a blip and his side can get back up and running when they travel to Longford next time out.
Cork continue to do enough
Although they haven’t reached the heights of last year, Cork City continue to grind out results to keep tabs with Dundalk. John Caulfield’s side had to be patient against a resilient Derry City side on Friday but eventually got their just rewards.
Karl Sheppard’s second-half goal set them on their way before Billy Dennehy’s late penalty ensured there was to be no slip-up – the Rebels remain three points adrift of the defending champions.
It was a better performance by the hosts but they are getting dragged towards the relegation/promotion play-off berth and Peter Hutton will be desperate for his side to start moving in the right direction sooner rather than later.
Bray heap more misery on Sligo
Sligo’s nightmare season shows no sign of improving just yet. Defeat in Bray on Saturday evening was their ninth of the season and one which saw them drop into the bottom two of the SSE Airtricity League.
The Bit O’Red have won just two of their 17 league outings to date as they become engulfed in further turmoil following the acrimonious departure of Owen Heary. Joseph Ndo and Gavin Dykes took charge of the side at the weekend and could do little to reverse the club’s fortunes.
In contrast, Bray continue on an upward curve under Trevor Croly as they collected three valuable points.
Pat’s peaking just at the right time
Liam Buckley will have been delighted to resume the season with a win, and having now won five games on the bounce in all competitions, the Inchicore men head for Latvia on Thursday full of confidence.
Most importantly the likes of Chris Forrester, James Chambers and Aaron Greene are all hitting good form, although Christy Fagan’s ongoing injury concerns are something of a worry.
Meanwhile, Longford will have left Richmond Park knowing they could have at least had a say in the game had they scored when they created a brilliant chance at 1-0 down.
A tough game at home to Bohemians next for Tony Cousins’ men means they will certainly need to improve if they are to take anything from that game.
- Simon Walsh
