Frank George Cooper of Drogheda United during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Shelbourne and Drogheda United at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Five matchdays into the new League of Ireland Premier Division season and last year’s champions have won just two matches, Shamrock Rovers who reached the European knockouts are in eighth and part-time Drogheda United are unbeaten and top of the tree. It’s time for this season’s second edition of power rankings.
10. Derry City
Bottom of the league with just four points from a possible fifteen, the Candystripes start to the season has shocked everyone. A massive fixture versus ninth place Sligo Rovers looms this Saturday night at the Showgrounds.
Four goals from five matches is a poor showing, no matter what personnel is at your disposal.
9. Sligo Rovers
Perhaps not a surprise to see the north-western club languishing towards the bottom end of the table, the Bit O’Red are far from boring this year. Eight goals scored and twelve conceded in their opening quintet of games. Value for money for the neutral.
However, when you score three in a match, you would expect that team to come away with all three points. That is until you concede four. A positive for the side will be a hard-fought point with ten men down in Cork last Friday.
8. Cork City
Could have easily come away with all three points at the RSC last Monday in the Munster derby versus Waterford if Alex Nolan had make it 2-0. That missed opportunity left the Leesiders reeling as it was all Waterford in the second half, with a late winner ensuring bragging rights stayed in East Munster.
Sean Maguire going down with injury in the first half, not a great sight for the club and their survival ambitions for 2025.
Also a real missed opportunity to not capitalize on Sligo Rovers being reduced to 10 men for the remaining 20 minutes at Turners Cross on Friday. That could be a pivotal result for both clubs come the end of the season.
7. Shamrock Rovers
A lacklustre start to the season for the Hoops may have turned a corner with the derby win versus St Patrick’s Athletic. A win over Cork City in their game in hand would see the club in joint third place.
Will be interesting to see how things go between Drogheda and the Tallaght based club on Friday night.
6. Bohemian
The Phibsborough club can thank Colm Whelan for a fantastic performance at his former club on Friday night. The new number nine will be crucial to Bohs’ fortunes this year. A strong defensive performance from Reynolds’ men may have laid the foundations for the season ahead.
Colm Whelan of Bohemians with the matchball after scoring a hat-trick in his side’s victory away to Waterford in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division tonight.
5. St Patrick’s Athletic
A real mixed bag to start the season in Inchicore. Stephen Kenny’s side with two just wins from their first five matches will be quite worrying considering their title credentials at the beginning of the season. Add in the fact that those two wins were against 9th and 10th, it doesn’t make for pretty reading.
However, a Dublin derby versus Bohs on Friday night could be just the tonic for Pats. That match looks set to be a real cracker.
4. Shelbourne
No wins in three for Damien Duff’s men is quite the surprise, although they do find themselves just three points from top at this early stage of the season. With Cork City at home on Friday, Shelbourne have a strong chance to get the train back on the right track in 2025.
3. Waterford
A big win over Munster rivals Cork City last Monday was overshadowed by a toothless display at home to Bohs on Friday. However, nine points from the opening fifteen is a more than adequate return for a side many tipped for a relegation battle this year.
Although, the Blues may start to look over their shoulder if they can’t return to the south-east with a positive result from Galway on Friday. A side Waterford have struggled against in recent years.
2. Galway United
The Tribesmen find themselves in fourth place with just one win to start the season. However, they are unbeaten with four draws to their name. They will fancy themselves against Waterford on Friday given their recent record over the Blues.
Neither side has kept a clean sheet this year so we could be in for goals at that one.
1. Drogheda United
The Drogs are well worth the top spot for the second edition of power rankings. Unbeaten from their opening five games with three wins to boot. Four clean sheets as well indicates their form doesn’t show any sign of stopping.
Drogheda look like anything but relegation cannon fodder this year and their strong defence may make them tricky opponents in Europe.