Sligo going strong…
MONDAY NIGHT’S 3-1 win at home to Bohemians leaves Sligo Rovers well in control of the Premier Division title race, nine points clear of Drogheda United.
With just seven games remaining, the chasing pack can be forgiven if they start to scour the fixture list in the hope of finding some tricky tests which might stall Sligo’s momentum. Their run-in is by no means easy — they finish with Pat’s (H), Drogheda (A) and Shamrock Rovers (H) — but if they can keep the foot on the pedal with six points from upcoming games against Dundalk and Bray, the Bit O’Red could preempt any possible wobble.
… as the race for Europe heats up
Behind Sligo a real tussle is emerging for the two remaining European spots though Drogheda, Pat’s and Rovers might well argue that the race for top prize isn’t over until the mathematical calculations say so.
As it stands Drogheda (41 points) are two ahead of the two Dublin clubs (39 pts) having played a game more than both Pat’s and Rovers.
Rovers’ resurgence marginally makes them the form team with 13 points from their last five league games, compared to 10 for Pat’s and just six for Drogheda over the same period. The acid test will come before the end of the month though when Pat’s welcome Stephen Kenny’s Hoops to Inchicore (21 September) and then head north to Hunky Dory Park a week later (28 September).
The smart money would be on the more experienced Dublin clubs to get the job done but Drogheda’s form under Mick Cooke has been excellent this season and can’t be discounted.
Cork slump continues
Not so long ago, Barstooler focused (to the point of obsession?) on the long undefeated streak that Tommy Dunne’s Cork City were stringing together in the league. Sure, the Leesiders might not have been winning too many games but they certainly knew how not to lose.
The wheels have come off in recent weeks though and Cork have lost three of their last four in the league. It’s frustrating as the results haven’t always matched the endeavour of their performances, seen again in Turner’s Cross on Friday night when Shamrock Rovers came from behind to win 2-1.
If there’s any saving grace, it’s that Cork’s earlier invincibility and the withdrawal of Monaghan United from the league have combined to leave them with a rather large safety net through this trying time. With no automatic relegation and the 11th-placed team entering a promotion/relegation playoff, the nine-point gap between City and Dundalk should calm any nerves.
More pressure on Mathews
Another week, another defeat for Shelbourne. The murmurings of discontent around Tolka Park are growing steadily louder and a chorus of boos greeted the final whistle on Friday night as Shels went down 2-0 to Derry City.
The Reds have taken just two points from the last 18 on offer on the league, fewer than bottom-placed Dundalk who have managed three draws from their own last six games. Supporter dissatisfaction with manager Alan Mathews is clear and he will need a minor miracle from back-to-back derbies against Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s to start to turn the tide back in his favour.
Life after Corry
It hasn’t been the easiest season for Martin Russell and UCD, and although all at Belfield were delighted to see midfielder Paul Corry finally get his deserved move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, there must have been slight concern at how it would impact the club for the rest of the season.
Corry’s loss wasn’t immediately felt as the Students beat Bray Wanderers 3-1 in Belfield on Friday night, just their fifth league win of the season. The result moves them four points clear of Dundalk at the foot of the table, though the Lilywhites can close the gap back to one with a game in hand.
