Champions Dundalk march on
SHAMROCK ROVERS MANAGER Pat Fenlon lost his cool at the final whistle of their defeat to Dundalk on Friday night and you can understand his frustrations.
The Hoops, aiming to close in on the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions and current leaders, didn’t play particularly poorly at Tallaght Stadium but they were punished for their mistakes.
David Webster put the ball into his own net before Gary McCabe was rightly sent off for a poor challenge on Stephen O’Donnell, and Ronan Finn finished off a well-worked second just after the break.
Rovers’ three league defeats have come against teams in the top four and the result sees them fall to sixth in the table — although they have the chance to make up some lost ground down in their game in-hand at Turner’s Cross tonight.
- Ben Blake
Back to winning ways for Cork
With three consecutive league draws prior to this, Cork City needed a win in the first of three home games in a row in the space of eight days. The pressure to find it might have overwhelmed, especially given how the Wexford Youths game had gone. The Leesiders started on the front foot, though, ensuring that they were in command from the moment Gearoid Morrissey’s deflected shot found the net inside 90 seconds.
- Denis Hurley
Sligo finally get their rewards
Have Sligo finally reached their expected level? The Bit o’Red struggled in early games, and a 4-0 defeat to Bray Wanderers may have been exactly what they needed to wake up. Their defence tightened up and draws against both Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic followed. Performances have improved, and a lack of goals was the main concern .
However, three goals against Longford Town doubled their tally for the season. And that victory will have come as a huge relief to Dave Robertson.
- Jessica Farry
Youths struggle in front of goal
Early chances but no goals. Once again, Wexford Youths were left to rue some good early chances as they looked for an early breakthrough, before two second-half Vinny Faherty goals handed visitors Galway United the points. Two great moves saw Andy Mulligan get away down the left-hand side — firstly Conor Winn produced a good save before Mulligan’s cross minutes later couldn’t find the onrushing Paul Murphy.
The Youths have created some great chances this season and, with more clinical finishes, they may have found themselves further up the table.
- Brendan White
Candystripes keep up fine run
Bohemians striker Kurtis Byrne will be kicking himself having totally missed his kick when clean through on goal 30 minutes into the first half of Friday’s loss to Derry City at the Brandywell. Having taken the ball down superbly on his chest he should have equalised for the Gypsies but instead missed the ball as the home side went on to claim a 1-0 win and keep up the pressure on Dundalk.
- Simon Collins
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