Another week and another new leader of the Airtricity League Premier Division. They may have left it pretty late but St Patrick’s Athletic have sat atop the league since last Friday- albeit only on goal difference. The fixture list has definitely not been kind to them this week however but does offer a mouthwatering clash tonight as a result so who knows we might see a new team atop the league by late this evening?
How did this columns predictions turn out last week I hear you ask? A decent enough week in the Premier Division with three correct results and a not so good night in the first division with just the one correct result there. So let’s have a look at tonights games!
Drogheda United vs Waterford
Droghedas two match reign atop the standings ended last Friday night albeit they probably would have taken a draw at Turners Cross at the start of the season. They also will probably feel a little aggrieved about their goal ruled out for encroachment that made quite the mark in the early social media posts on Saturday morning. Its back to home comforts for Kevin Dohertys men where they host a side who must be reeling from their last minute collapse at home to St Patrick’s Athletic.
What can you say about Waterford after last week? Leading with about three minutes to go an own goal and an exceptional free kick saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and it will be interesting to see how they rebound this week. I imagine this might take a bit of time to get over.
So what’s going to happen? Based on the league leaders games tonight there is a very distinct possibility that Drogheda could regain their lead by the end albeit as of now they only lead Shelbourne by a single goal on goal difference so anything could change. I do think they will get the victory tonight though
Prediction: Drogheda United 2 Waterford FC 1
Galway United vs Shamrock Rovers
Well then, if there was anything that this column has learned in its first month of existence its that so far we’ve been far to optimistic about Bohemians fortunes so far this season and so it proved as well last week as Galway came to Dublin and went home with the 3 points. With a team managed by Stephen Kenny and John Caulfield top of the league for the past week people could be mistaken for believing we had turned back the clock 10 years but it’s a testament to their quality as managers that we are back here again.
We haven’t even talked yet about Moses Dyer wonder goal yet and what a goal it was. Van Bastenesque in its execution. Still undefeated that stat will be tested this week.
It’s hard to know what to make of Shamrock Rovers draw last week. At the start of the season they might have thought that was a decent result but with how the league has gone so far for Derry, Stephen Bradley might view it as a missed opportunity.
It’s a difficult match to call and I think Rovers might just finally end Galways unbeaten run like they did Droghedas. A narrow away win.
Prediction Galway United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Shelbourne
Tonights televised game is a cracker and a Dublin Derby between two teams in the top four. We mentioned St Pats smash and grab victory last week earlier and it will have given them a big morale boost this week having started a little slowly in the early games this season.
For Shelbourne this week it was back to business as usual with Damien Duffs side coming away from Sligo with the three points and with this game looming in the horizon I’m sure that came as some relief to Damien Duff. It’s going to be getting those wins at vital times that can make or break a season and Shelbourne passed that test last week.
So how do we see this one going? I think this might be a tight cage draw with neither team wanting to hand the other the initiative in the title race
Prediction St Patrick’s Athletic 0 Shelbourne 0
Bohemians vs Sligo Rovers
There have been a growing air of grumbling coming in the last few weeks from Bohemians fans about whether to sack Alan Reynolds. In some ways I think it’s a bit unfair as there seems to be an easily identifiable cause for these problems in terms of a severe lack of a clinical goalscorer and the stats where they created a bucket load of chances last week but didn’t take any bear that out. They were duly punished for that. That being said a loss here and its hard nor to see the grumbling reaching a full blown crescendo. It’s a must win game for Reynolds
Sligo won’t have been too surprised at their loss last week and will know that this week presents a massive opportunity to escape bottom spot in the league playing a team yet to score at Dalymount Park this season and I expect them to throw a bit of caution to the wind tonight.
Bohemians have to win pure and simple and I think they will just.
Prediction Bohemians 1 Sligo Rovers 0
Derry City vs Cork City
It’s the longest trip of the year for Cork Fans but they are arriving for the opening of the new stand at the Brandywell so they will probably relish being the party poopers here.
Derry will have been happy enough to get the draw in Tallaght this week. They are not out of contention despite a poor start to the season and will probably feel a win here will be a big boost for them this season. Cork on the other hand are beginning to make themselves a difficult proposition to beat. They are beginning to get some key personnel back but it might just be beyond them on a big night up in Derry. A Michael Duffy free kick to decide it?
Prediction Derry City 1 Cork City 0
Finally let’s see what’s going to happen in the First Division which probably was the League more in the news this week.
Athlone Town 0 Bray Wanderers 1
Cobh Wanderers 1 Wexford FC 1
Finn Harps 1 Longford 0
Treaty United 2 Kerry FC 0
UCD 1 Dundalk 3
So there you have it- another weekn in the books and a fascinating night on the cards tonight! Enjoy it at your nearest stadium at the #greatestleagueintheworld.