There can only be one talking point from Friday night’s clash in Tallaght, and it was the one that turned the game on its head. Dundalk were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising when Brian Gartland hesitated, Ryan Brennan nipped in, and goalkeeper Gary Rogers brought the Rovers man down.
Referee Neil Doyle pointed to the penalty spot and sent Rogers off, sparking the comeback that saw the Hoops earn a 2-2 draw — but was it the right decision? A large section of the away fans, as well as manager Stephen Kenny, felt that the foul took place outside the box. We’ll have to wait for Soccer Republic on Monday evening for the definitive answer.
- Niall Kelly
Cork’s watertight defence finally breached
Cork Citys will have to start from scratch next time out as their six game clean sheet record was spoiled by Lloyd Buckley’s late header on Friday night.
Longford and Dundalk both visit Turners’ Cross in the next week, and both might fancy their chances having seen Drogheda’s late rally at United Park.
If you can wrestle control from their midfield, their defence is there to be shot at. Still, a record of just two goals shipped in eight games will have John Caulfield confident.
- Barry Landy
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Derry frustration boils over
Ryan McBride’s frustrating night came to the boil five minutes from the end of the game when his robust challenge on Chris Lyons on the halfway line saw him immediately dismissed by referee Paul Tuite.
His sending off ended any slight hope Derry had of getting a last gasp winning goal but the Derry skipper’s automatic one match ban will have bigger repercussions for Peter Hutton’s side as they head into Monday’s clash with Limerick minus McBride and also his defensive partner, Shane McEleney who limped off injured in the second half.
McBride had wasted Derry’s best chance in the first half when he headed tamely into the hands of Bray ‘keeper Stephen McGuinness from Patrick McEleney’s cross when he really should have found the net.
So, all round, a forgettable night for McBride and for Derry City.
- Simon Collins
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Pat’s heading in right direction after slow start
After defeats against Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, in addition to being held to a draw at home by Cork City, St Patrick’s Athletic needed a big result to prove — to themselves as much as anyone else — that they’re capable of being challengers. Bohemians, in spite of their own positive start to the campaign, won’t be title contenders, but winning at Dalymount Park is never easy. This was a very important victory for Liam Buckley’s side, who are undefeated in six games in all competitions and now appear to be heading in the right direction.
Bohemians remain two points clear of Pat’s in fourth place, but the current table isn’t an accurate reflection of both teams. The visitors should have put the result beyond doubt before Derek Prendergast’s injury-time header forced a save from Saints goalkeeper Conor O’Malley. There’s a long way to go, but if Bohs want to stay in the top-four, they can’t afford to be so wasteful on the ball again. Whether it was short passes across the back or long balls forward, the Gypises squandered possession throughout the game; a frustrating fault when you’re chasing a deficit.
The loss of Don Cowan a fortnight ago was expected to hit Longford’s attacking threat but Ayman Ben Mohamed produced a stellar performance on Friday and if both are fit later in the season will be sure to cement the Town’s place in the Premier Division.
Longford were left unexposed and just lacked the link up play in the final third to grab the winner. They look set to stay in the division on recent displays and if the youth players continue the way they’re playing Longford Town could be a real threat to deal with in the coming years.
- Michael Spencer
Galway do enough but profligacy could have cost them
Galway United had most of the possession during the contest against Limerick and created chance after chance.
The game should have been put to bed by half time with Padraic Cunningham missing several gilt-edged chances and Limerick keeper Conor O’Donnell producing some key saves.
It took the poise of Enda Curran to finally send Galway ahead with time ticking before Gary Shanahan pulled them 3-1 ahead.
Despite netting three times Galway’s finishing up front will concern manager Tommy Dunne as they look to move up the table quickly. However credit must also go to the Limerick defence and goalkeeper who put in a stellar performance.
Rogers' red, Cork breached and the talking points from the SSE Airtricity League weekend
Rogers red turns tide in Rovers’ favour
There can only be one talking point from Friday night’s clash in Tallaght, and it was the one that turned the game on its head. Dundalk were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising when Brian Gartland hesitated, Ryan Brennan nipped in, and goalkeeper Gary Rogers brought the Rovers man down.
Referee Neil Doyle pointed to the penalty spot and sent Rogers off, sparking the comeback that saw the Hoops earn a 2-2 draw — but was it the right decision? A large section of the away fans, as well as manager Stephen Kenny, felt that the foul took place outside the box. We’ll have to wait for Soccer Republic on Monday evening for the definitive answer.
- Niall Kelly
Cork’s watertight defence finally breached
Cork Citys will have to start from scratch next time out as their six game clean sheet record was spoiled by Lloyd Buckley’s late header on Friday night.
Longford and Dundalk both visit Turners’ Cross in the next week, and both might fancy their chances having seen Drogheda’s late rally at United Park.
If you can wrestle control from their midfield, their defence is there to be shot at. Still, a record of just two goals shipped in eight games will have John Caulfield confident.
- Barry Landy
Derry frustration boils over
Ryan McBride’s frustrating night came to the boil five minutes from the end of the game when his robust challenge on Chris Lyons on the halfway line saw him immediately dismissed by referee Paul Tuite.
His sending off ended any slight hope Derry had of getting a last gasp winning goal but the Derry skipper’s automatic one match ban will have bigger repercussions for Peter Hutton’s side as they head into Monday’s clash with Limerick minus McBride and also his defensive partner, Shane McEleney who limped off injured in the second half.
McBride had wasted Derry’s best chance in the first half when he headed tamely into the hands of Bray ‘keeper Stephen McGuinness from Patrick McEleney’s cross when he really should have found the net.
So, all round, a forgettable night for McBride and for Derry City.
- Simon Collins
Pat’s heading in right direction after slow start
After defeats against Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, in addition to being held to a draw at home by Cork City, St Patrick’s Athletic needed a big result to prove — to themselves as much as anyone else — that they’re capable of being challengers. Bohemians, in spite of their own positive start to the campaign, won’t be title contenders, but winning at Dalymount Park is never easy. This was a very important victory for Liam Buckley’s side, who are undefeated in six games in all competitions and now appear to be heading in the right direction.
Bohemians remain two points clear of Pat’s in fourth place, but the current table isn’t an accurate reflection of both teams. The visitors should have put the result beyond doubt before Derek Prendergast’s injury-time header forced a save from Saints goalkeeper Conor O’Malley. There’s a long way to go, but if Bohs want to stay in the top-four, they can’t afford to be so wasteful on the ball again. Whether it was short passes across the back or long balls forward, the Gypises squandered possession throughout the game; a frustrating fault when you’re chasing a deficit.
- Paul Dollery
Promising signs for Longford
The loss of Don Cowan a fortnight ago was expected to hit Longford’s attacking threat but Ayman Ben Mohamed produced a stellar performance on Friday and if both are fit later in the season will be sure to cement the Town’s place in the Premier Division.
Longford were left unexposed and just lacked the link up play in the final third to grab the winner. They look set to stay in the division on recent displays and if the youth players continue the way they’re playing Longford Town could be a real threat to deal with in the coming years.
- Michael Spencer
Galway do enough but profligacy could have cost them
Galway United had most of the possession during the contest against Limerick and created chance after chance.
The game should have been put to bed by half time with Padraic Cunningham missing several gilt-edged chances and Limerick keeper Conor O’Donnell producing some key saves.
It took the poise of Enda Curran to finally send Galway ahead with time ticking before Gary Shanahan pulled them 3-1 ahead.
Despite netting three times Galway’s finishing up front will concern manager Tommy Dunne as they look to move up the table quickly. However credit must also go to the Limerick defence and goalkeeper who put in a stellar performance.
- Jason Byrne
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