Aaron Doherty
Week 6 is in the books with a total of 25 goals throughout the 9 games, no draws; and just 4 clean sheets. These fixtures were played on Saturday as the national team hosted Wales in a World Cup qualifier; which evidently is being remembered for the horrific injury to former Sligo Rovers player – Seamus Coleman. When a game is only remembered for a bad tackle, it pretty much sums up the lack of quality that was on show; despite having 19 based premier league players on the pitch, at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.
League of Ireland fans quickly got that out of their system with a Dublin derby between St Pats and Shamrock Rovers – while the top 2 faced off against each other, that gave the fans plenty of options. Both games brought 6 goals, 10 yellow cards, 2 sending offs and plenty of entertainment. Cork have now kept their 100% record intact as they move 6 points ahead of Dundalk. It was a first win of the season for St Pats as they came from behind to condemn a bewildered Stephen Bradley to a 4th defeat in 6.
Bohemians continued their impressive run, while Limerick heap more misery on to Bray Wanderers. First division leaders Cobh Ramblers took a battering away to an impressive Cabinteely, while Waterford took advantage and went back on top. Owen Heary’s pressure has eased as he picked up his first win, but for Alan Mathews the pressure is too much as he loses again.
Here is what we have learned this week.
Finn Harps move into mid table.
Ollie Horgan’s side were expected to go down this year, but have so far picked up 2 excellent wins over St Pats and Sligo; while taking a point from Limerick and Galway. They now sit in 6th and have registered 1 more point than last season at this stage. The Ballybofey side have now gone 4 games unbeaten, which they only managed once in 2016. They picked up the 3 points at the weekend in dramatic fashion, as loanee Ciaran O’Connor scored the winner in the 94th minute. Having missed the penalty, he tapped in the rebound.
It was his 3rd goal since arriving from Dundalk and Horgan might want to look at extending his 6-month loan deal. Goals don’t seem to be a problem as they have notched up 9 in their last 5 games. With Cork just stopping them in their tracks at the season opener, questions need to be asked in the defence, as this is where the problem seem to lie. The back line has shipped 10 times already, 5 of which came in 1 game and Horgan knows they will need to be better to avoid any relegation battle. For now, all is good in Co. Donegal.
Cork beat Dundalk, again.
Stephen Kenny’s bogey team was certainly the underdog when up against Cork City as they have picked up just 1 win in their last 10 games in all competitions. This weekend we seen them face off at a sold-out Turners Cross, and it did not disappoint. League top scorer – Sean Maguire turned provider as he assisted Karl Sheppard for both goals, as the rebel army claimed the 3 points. John Caulfield’s men looked comfortable throughout the 90 minutes and out ran a Dundalk side that looked ordinary.
Conor Clifford who replaced the injured Robbie Benson early on, was miles off the pace. Chris Shields was poor and Patrick McEleney was crowded out by the Cork midfield. Gearoid Morrissey put in a superb performance that enhanced Cork’s lead at the top, as they look to win their first league title in 12 years. The lack of pace in the champion’s squad was one for all to see; and was more evident In Sheppard’s 1st goal as Cork broke from a Dundalk corner.
There is a lack of pace between Brian Gartland and Paddy Barret at centre back and they looked frightened every time Maguire got to turn and run at them. Teams with pace in the final third will hurt Dundalk this season as the fear factor slowly eases away. For Cork City, their hunger and desire might just reward them come October.
The pressure mounts for Bradley.
The early season talk of silverware around Tallaght Stadium has quickly evaporated, after back to back defeats for Shamrock Rovers. The 2011 champions have played 6 times, lost 4 and have failed to keep a clean sheet. Having recruited experienced players to go with a batch of young players, the Bradley experiment will take a lot longer than expected.
Stephen Bradley has managed Rovers for 28 games, but has claimed just 10 wins and lost 12. In recent weeks, he has either shown a lack of experience, or just a total disrespect for the opposition after comments made by him that Cork “Are not a top team” in their 2-1 defeat in Tallaght. He also said “we battered them” but could only score once, and as we know if you do not take your chances; you get punished.
This weekend he has continued with his negative comments and criticised the FAI for not postponing the Dublin Derby for international call ups. There was no mention of this prior to kick off, but after another defeat; the sour grapes fell. It wasn’t the FAI who chose Darren Meenan over Brandon Miele or Roberto Lopez over Dave McAlister; 2 players left out who can offer much more than their replacements. The boys club of Bradley, Glenn Cronin, Damien Duff and Stephen McPhail that sit on the bench have a big couple of weeks ahead of them, where maximum points must be gained or the axe will fall.
Massive win for Limerick.
The 2016 first division champions picked up a huge 3 points in the Carlisle Grounds this weekend, which was their first since the opening day. Martin Russell’s side had only picked up 1 point since that win, which was at home to Finn Harps while their match away to Derry City was abandoned due to floodlight failure.
They sit in 7th place after Paul O’Connor’s excellent strike condemned Bray two consecutive defeats; and should they beat Derry in their game in hand, they will move into the top 5. Limerick will take great confidence from this win, and the fact they kept a clean sheet against the league’s second highest scorers; they look ahead to big games at home to Cork, and then away to St Pats. If Russell can keep his chargers solid defensively and show quality in the final third, there will be no talk of any relegation battle.
Cabinteely impressive.
The first division is so unpredictable and last weekend proved it as Cabinteely stuck 4 past league leaders Cobh Ramblers. It was only the second time that they scored that many goals since joining the league in 2015. This year they are led by former Bray manager Pat Devlin and he has made some shrewd signings.
League of Ireland legend Jason Byrne has joined the ranks, but has yet to play any pivotal role on the pitch; but his experience with the younger players will be crucial. Also signed is Kieran Marty Waters, who has scored twice and been a key role in the final third. Cabinteely sit third and just 1 point from the top, they managed just 4 wins in all of last season; while this year they have already won 3.
It’s also the first time in their short League of Ireland stay, that they have gone 3 games unbeaten; and they will look to extend that this at the weekend when they visit Athlone.
Image Credit: RTE.ie