Puri’s a rare positive at Sligo
THIS SEASON HAS seen talk about internationals returning to the League of Ireland, especially since Damien Duff and Keith Treacy returned to their home land, added to Keith Fahey’s return a couple of years ago.
But one Estonian international has lit up The Showgrounds since his arrival. Midfielder Sander Puri has been an excellent addition to not only Sligo Rovers, but the league.
In a difficult season for Rovers, Puri has been a shining light. During many games, he has been the talking point, and as been on the receiving end of numerous man-of-the-match awards already.
Another of Rovers’ foreign imports, Morten Nielsen, arrived full of promises about what he would deliver. He has found it difficult, but against Bray, he too was excellent and showed a glimpse of just why he was once upon a time on the books at Chelsea.
- Jessica Farry
Treacy salvages a point for Drogs
Seven days on from Drogheda’s Louth Derby trouncing at the hands of Dundalk, the fears at United Park were that Mark Kinsella’s side would be so bereft of confidence, they are facing into their difficult run-in with the knowledge that the battle is already lost.
Going two goals down at home to Bohs on Friday night, it would have been fair to assume all hope had extinguished in the minds of the players.
But the speed in which Keith Treacy got them back into it, there was hardly enough time for a sense of desolation to set in. A recoving of this kind will give Drogheda renewed hope going into their final four fixtures. On paper they’re tough, but so is coming from two goals down to get a point.
- Barry Landy
Towell continues remarkable goalscoring form
Dundalk failed to break Limerick down for seventy-five minutes. The level of quality in the Lilywhites’ ball retention eventually ran an exhausted Limerick ragged as they scored three times in six minutes to ensure a second consecutive league title can be won at Tallaght Stadium in a fortnight’s time.
Richie Towell extended his league tally to 21, but once again, seemed to find pockets of space on the pitch – even when Limerick weren’t stretched. His anticipation and the way he reads the game puts him on another level. The introduction of Ciaran Kilduff helped him.
Limerick’s next two games are against fellow strugglers Galway and Derry. Should they give the same level of application as they did against Dundalk, they could manage their great escape yet.
- Andrew Cunneen
Miele the difference for the Hoops, Galway not safe
Shamrock Rovers enjoyed an encouraging week posting wins over Bray Wanderers and Galway United. Those Brandon Miele-inspired victories keep the Hoops in the hunt for second position, but Friday was a worrying defeat for the Tribesmen.
Amazingly, Galway haven’t taken a single point from their 2015 league fixtures against the top four. Dundalk, Cork City, Shamrock Rovers, and St Patrick’s Athletic have all beaten Galway easily throughout the campaign.
Galway’s upcoming fixtures with Sligo Rovers and Limerick will be revealing. With only one top flight triumph registered since July Galway, who have slipped 11th place, need to earn points quickly.
- Cian O’Connell
Rebels and Candystripes meet again
Eleven days separated Derry’s visit to Turner’s Cross and their last game in Cork, the FAI Cup quarter-final replay, but the outcomes were very different.
Derry played with a confidence lacking in the cup game and, on the balance of play, were arguably the side more hard done-by with a draw.
- Denis Hurley
