WITHOUT BEING OVERLY dramatic….no actually, I will be dramatic: the title race was over until Colin Healy scored this absolute screamer to beat St. Pats at Turners Cross. I’ll get into Cork’s challenge a little more below, but from now on, as the clock ticks down in every game, just remember that this can happen.
Cork bounced back from their crushing home loss to Dundalk two weeks ago with a hard-fought win over St. Pat’s at Turners Cross courtesy of the aforementioned Colin Healy cracker. They now have to go up to Derry while the leaders host Limerick.
Cork need a good performance this weekend to keep the pressure on Dundalk
Three points is a must for John Caulfield’s men as Dundalk are unlikely to slip up at home. After getting back into the title race with Healy’s heroics, there is now some pressure on Billy Dennehy and the rest of the Cork attack to kick on in Derry.
3. The Fenlon factor
Shamrock Rovers are now level with the Inchicore outfit in the race for third place. With a trip to bottom club Athlone Town this weekend, new boss Pat Fenlon has a great chance to prolong his dream start.
Ronan Finn was lively for the Hoops against Derry City, bagging a goal and creating a few more chances. Fenlon will hope that he repeats the performance and helps bring another three points back to Tallaght Stadium.
4. Can UCD get a result in Inchicore?
They stopped their three-game losing streak last time out but a 0-0 draw at home to Bohemians won’t give much hope to UCD fans. It was an improvement on their previous heavy defeats to Drogheda and Cork City but with a daunting trip to Inchicore this Friday, Alan Callaghan’s men could have done with a win.
Advertisement
They are level on points with Bray Wanderers but have a slender two goal advantage on goal difference. If Bray were to get a result at home to Sligo, then things will look particularly grim for the students.
5. Are Bohs officially in a slump?
Owen Heary would have definitely targeted last week’s game at Belfield to get his side back on track after a few tough results, including being dumped out of the cup by Shamrock Rovers.
Could be a barren few week's if Owen Heary's side don't get a win this Friday
Instead they could only manage a scoreless draw against bottom feeders UCD. This week they host Drogheda, who are only one place behind them in the table on goal difference. It is not an easy game by any means but with games against Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk to come, this could be their best chance of a win for a while.
5 reasons to watch the League of Ireland this week
1. Will last week’s drama be topped?
WITHOUT BEING OVERLY dramatic….no actually, I will be dramatic: the title race was over until Colin Healy scored this absolute screamer to beat St. Pats at Turners Cross. I’ll get into Cork’s challenge a little more below, but from now on, as the clock ticks down in every game, just remember that this can happen.
2. Can Cork keep the pressure on Dundalk?
Cork bounced back from their crushing home loss to Dundalk two weeks ago with a hard-fought win over St. Pat’s at Turners Cross courtesy of the aforementioned Colin Healy cracker. They now have to go up to Derry while the leaders host Limerick.
Three points is a must for John Caulfield’s men as Dundalk are unlikely to slip up at home. After getting back into the title race with Healy’s heroics, there is now some pressure on Billy Dennehy and the rest of the Cork attack to kick on in Derry.
3. The Fenlon factor
Shamrock Rovers are now level with the Inchicore outfit in the race for third place. With a trip to bottom club Athlone Town this weekend, new boss Pat Fenlon has a great chance to prolong his dream start.
Ronan Finn was lively for the Hoops against Derry City, bagging a goal and creating a few more chances. Fenlon will hope that he repeats the performance and helps bring another three points back to Tallaght Stadium.
4. Can UCD get a result in Inchicore?
They stopped their three-game losing streak last time out but a 0-0 draw at home to Bohemians won’t give much hope to UCD fans. It was an improvement on their previous heavy defeats to Drogheda and Cork City but with a daunting trip to Inchicore this Friday, Alan Callaghan’s men could have done with a win.
They are level on points with Bray Wanderers but have a slender two goal advantage on goal difference. If Bray were to get a result at home to Sligo, then things will look particularly grim for the students.
5. Are Bohs officially in a slump?
Owen Heary would have definitely targeted last week’s game at Belfield to get his side back on track after a few tough results, including being dumped out of the cup by Shamrock Rovers.
Instead they could only manage a scoreless draw against bottom feeders UCD. This week they host Drogheda, who are only one place behind them in the table on goal difference. It is not an easy game by any means but with games against Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk to come, this could be their best chance of a win for a while.
Premier Division fixtures
Friday
Athlone Town vs Shamrock Rovers
Bohemians vs Drogheda United
Bray Wanderers vs Sligo Rovers
Derry City vs Cork City
Dundalk vs Limerick
St. Pats vs UCD
Division One fixtures
Friday
Waterford United vs Finn Harps
Wexford Youths vs Shelbourne
Saturday
Longford Town vs Galway FC
Sunday
Shamrock Rovers vs Cobh Ramblers
Gareth Bale says his muscular new physique is just down to “a bit of running”
Opinion: Shane Long needs to sharpen his finishing to justify price tag
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
SSE Airtricity League First Division SSE Airtricity League Premier Division League of Ireland supportingloi