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Tiarnán Mulvenna celebrates the game's only goal as Drogheda beat Galway in Hunky Dorys Park. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Local Heroes

Bar stool: the main talking points from this weekend’s Airtricity League action

On a weekend when Shamrock Rovers weren’t in action, Sligo, Pat’s and Derry couldn’t push home their advantage, writes Alan Smith.

1. Sligo slip up

SLIGO ROVERS FAILED to extend their gap at the top of the table by more than a point at The Showgrounds on Saturday night as they played out a drab scoreless draw with fellow Europa League representatives St Patrick’s Athletic.

In a stop-start game which was clear evidence of both sides having one eye on their respective trips to the Ukraine this Thursday, the highlight was probably a couple of more glimpses of Joseph Ndo’s array of fancy flicks.

The Bit O’Red now make their European bow against Vorskla Poltava at 5pm Irish time on Thursday, with Pats’ fifth game of their European odyssey against Karpaty Lviv a half-hour later.

2. Dour draw between Dundalk and Derry

Derry City could have also moved to the top over the weekend but failed to do so when they were also held to a scoreless draw against Dundalk at the Brandywell on Friday night.

That meant that of the three Premier Division games played this weekend, the only one with a goal scored was the battle of the bottom two in Hunky Dorys Park.

Unsurprisingly, it was Drogheda United who extended their gap from the bottom thanks to Tiarnán Mulvenna, as Galway United suffered defeat once more.

It was made public shortly after full-time that the Galway board had passed a motion of no confidence in manager Sean Connor earlier last week, and with the squad all open to transfer, it looks almost guaranteed that they will finish bottom of the pile.

3. Rovers ready for Danish test

Shamrock Rovers face another big European side for the third summer in a row (albeit only the second time competitively) when they travel to Copenhagen on Wednesday night for their Champions League Third Round qualifier.

FC Copenhagen reached the last 16 of the Champions League proper last season, losing out to Chelsea 2-0 on aggregate and are massive favourites to be back in the competition proper once more.

It will be an onerous task for the Hoops but even if they do suffer defeat against the Danish champions, then they will still have a Europa League playoff tie afterwards.

Incidentally, Copenhagen have a player called Thomas Delaney in their ranks. He is very much Danish, having come up through the underage system for the international side, but his parents are of Irish-American descent.

4. Shels march on

In the First Division, it seems like Shebourne can’t be stopped from returning to the top table as they brushed aside lowly Salthill Devon to stay in pole position for promotion.

Alan Mathews’ side remain ten points ahead heading towards the final third of the season, though they face a crunch clash with second-placed Cork City in a fortnight’s time.

The Leesiders defeated Longford Town 3-1 on Saturday to remain tied in second with Monaghan United, who dented Limerick’s hopes by defeating them on Friday night.

5. Super weekend in the Aviva

There are no league games next week because of the Dublin Super Cup, so players are off on a short holiday for themselves now – apart from the 18 players involved in Damien Richardson’s squad and, of course, Sligo, Pats and Rovers players who will be on their travels.

Richardson had named an extended squad but there was no need for him to deny some players from playing against Inter Milan, Celtic and Man City because the decision was made for him after those named from the trio of clubs on European duty cut the squad down to size.

The Airtricity League selection face Manchester City at 2pm on Saturday before facing Celtic on Sunday at the same time.

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