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INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Local Heroes

Five things we learned – so far – this weekend in the Airtricity League

Ahead of tonight’s programme of Bank Holiday fixtures, Alan Smith reflects on the League of Ireland action.

1. Sligo aren’t living up to expectations

THE CLOSEST CHALLENGERS to Shamrock Rovers – that was what Sligo were being heralded as at the beginning of March, but nine games in, and with a home game against high-flying Derry City tonight, Paul Cook’s team have turned in some disappointing performances to date.

None more so than in Friday’s 2-1 defeat away to UCD at Belfield. The Students had not only been defeated in all of their games at home before the visit of the Bit O’Red, but they had also failed to score.  Robbie Benson and Graham Rusk fired in for them though, moving a step closer to getting out of the bottom three.

Sligo set out with just one up front, strange considering the relatively weak opposition, and it makes you wonder why Raffaele Cretaro was on the wing and even why potent goalscorer Matthew Blinkhorn – who scored a late goal to cut the deficit in half – started on the bench.

2. Drogheda United could end up with the lowest points tally of all-time

There was no surprise result at Richmond Park, as win-less Drogheda leaked another three goals in their seventh defeat of the season against St Patrick’s Athletic.

In every single department Drogs look weaker than the rest. They’re letting in on average two goals per game, while scoring just once every 162 minutes. They have been up against it in every game to date, and despite two draws against fellow strugglers Galway and surprisingly at home to Derry, Mick Cooke’s side have yet to look like they will win a game.

Nothing other than a win is needed tonight against UCD because the only way they can survive is by defeating the sides around them.

3. Galway United need more in attack to survive

While there may be little hope for Drogheda, Galway are also in an equally perilous position and unless they can get another proven goalscorer on board when the transfer window opens in July, then they look certain for a relegation play-off spot at least.

Although they have conceded slightly less than Drogs, the Tribesmen have really struggled to score goals and  with a threadbare squad – only naming six subs in their 1-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Friday – if a severe injury crisis takes hold at Terryland Park, they could be in even more trouble.

Of course, Sean Connor only had a fraction of time compared to the rest to assemble his team for the season, but unless there are funds there to strengthen considerably later in the summer, then you have to fear for them. They face St Pats away tonight in another game where it looks unlikely that they’ll get a result.

4. Derry City are realistic title challengers

Of all 10 sides in the Premier Division this weekend, Derry City have the toughest double bill: games away to Bohemians and this afternoon against Sligo.

They overcame the first part in very convincing fashion with a deserved 2-0 win against the Gypsies in an ill-tempered affair. Referee Padraig Sutton dished out seven yellows and a harsh red, while also awarding a soft penalty which was subsequently missed by Killian Brennan in the final minute.

It’s impossible to deny the Candystripes the result though, as a goal on the stroke of the break from Daniel Lafferty and an early second half strike from James McLean kept Derry within two points of Shamrock Rovers at the top.

Derry have impressed in every department and with an exciting mixture of youth and experience and look capable of mounting a serious title challenge – something that only the most ambitious Derry fan would have dreamt of just two months ago.

5. The bottom three look like they’ll remain there until the end

Yes, of course UCD are just four points away from moving out of the relegation play-off spot, but Dundalk and St Pats, the teams immediately above them look to have far too much in reserve to be drawn down to the level of the bottom three. Galway and Drogheda, meanwhile, look doomed already.

The problem is that the other seven teams look to be miles ahead of what they’re capable of producing. In terms of players, confidence and indeed resources, the Students, Drogs and the Tribesmen are well off the pace.

Let’s not sit on any fences here either, because Drogheda are undoubtedly the favourites to be automatically relegated, leaving the other two teams in a play-off battle. However, what will go a long way to deciding that is all three’s dealings in the transfer market when the window opens.