Blues need a favour to avoid the drop
IT SEEMS BIZARRE to say that Shamrock Rovers never looked threatened in a game where Limerick had a pair of disallowed goals on Friday night, but that was very much the case.
What that clash did do, however, was set up a fascinating final day. Shamrock Rovers’ win over Limerick, combined with Cork’s failure to beat Dundalk and Drogheda losing 3-0 at home to Longford ensures both sides have it all to play for next week.
Should Rovers beat Drogheda and Cork lose to the Hoops’ rivals Bohemians (who themselves have an outside chance of European football), then Rovers will finish second to Dundalk – leapfrogging John Caulfield’s Leesiders.
Limerick, who go to a Sligo side who have preserved their Premier Division status, would avoid automatic relegation and finish in the relegation/promotion play-off place should they win and Drogheda fail to beat Pat Fenlon’s charges at Tallaght Stadium.
- Andrew Cunneen
Drogs still in the thick of it
Looking ahead to the end-of-season fixtures, this game will have stood out for Mark Kinsella as arguably the most winnable match of Drogheda’s run-in.
Longford are the only team outside of the top five that the Louth men have faced and will face in their final six games — a visit to Tallaght awaits on Friday.
A win would have condemned Limerick to the First Division, but this heavy defeat leaves Drogheda favourites for relegation now.
Given the Blues’ failure to win a game before August arrived, that is a damning indictment of United’s league run. They have one just once in fourteen games.
- Barry Landy
Huge point for Tribesman
A 1-1 draw at the Carlisle Grounds thanks to Gary Shanahan’s first half equaliser has all but assured Galway United of their Premier Division status next season.
Third from bottom going into the final day, the Tribseman are three points clear of Drogheda but not mathematically safe just yet.
However, Tommy Dunne’s men hold a seven-goal advantage over both clubs below them and just need to avoid suffering a heavy defeat against St Patrick’s Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park, this week named SSE Airtricity League Pitch of the Year, on Friday night.
- Ben Blake
Friday’s fixtures (all 7.45pm)
- Sligo Rovers v Limerick
- Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United
- Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic
- Dundalk v Bray Wanderers
- Bohemian v Cork City
- Longford Town v Derry City
