The break has gone by fairly fast but its fair to say the events of the past 30 or so hours for the League of Ireland have put a bit of a dampner on things. At least tonight offers a bit of a domestic bliss for the League with 4 Premier League matches to be played. Let’s take a look!
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Drogheda United
There is obviously only one place to start tonight and that is the decision by UEFA to disqualify Drogheda from the UEFA Conference League on account of the owners of the club also owning Danish Club Silkeborg IF. There are a number of various aspects to this which will be frustrating and being honest about it none of which really can be put at the fault of a LOI side. Obviously everybody will be hoping for the best when it comes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport when the case goes before it Monday but its really a situation that must be extremely frustrating for a club that really has been flourishing recently.
The question of not having a replacement club also irritates but again I can’t really find fault with any other League of Ireland side on this. When governing bodies are casting such a keen eye on Financial Fair Play and transparency in Football why then are we expecting clubs in a league that is growing but not exactly flush with money to meet licencing requirements to play in European Games they have not qualified for in case a possibility like this occurs. It makes zero sense. Also the question needs to be asked if in future the competition licencing agreements needs to meet European standards across the board!
This might just be the right time for Pats to play as the disappointment in that Drogheda dressing room has to be felt. Throw in the fact that Pats got a nice win in Sligo last time out to just keep themselves in the rear view mirror of Shamrock Rovers and that confidence boost might come through tonight. Home Win
Prediction St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Drogheda United 1
Shelbourne vs Shamrock Rovers
Speaking of teams in the title race last chance saloon and tonights TV match might just signal the end of Damian Duffs sides chances of retaining their title. Neither side won last time out and its difficult to see anything other that a Shelbourne win tonight keeping them in the title picture.
For Rovers they too will be a little in a state of Flux as they await finding out if they get a bye through the first qualifying round as a result of Droghedas expulsion from the conference league. They will be looking to kick on and build their lead ahead of European commitments but it’s last chance saloon for Shels and they have to deliver.
Prediction: Shelbourne 1 Shamrock Rovers 0
Cork City vs Bohemians
Ger Nash has now had a bit more time with his new team and you would feel for their club that the mid season break came at the right time to allow him to settle in a bit more before the fixtures return fast and furious. They are already making plans to add to the squad in July and having won this match earlier in the season will be hoping for a similar result today.
It’s a different Bohemians they are facing today- one right in the title mix. They bucked the trend recently by scoring early in games having previously being the Kings of the Late Late Show. They are in a decent position right now and Alan Reynolds will want to build on it now.
A point a piece might leave Bohemians with more regrets that Cork but Corks home form is key for their survival and i think they will get something from this.
Prediction Cork City 1 Bohemians 1
Derry City vs Galway United
Both sides have cooled off a little bit recently but John Caulfield would have been happy with his point against the league leaders last time out. Derrys games this season have been fairly tight affairs. A goal difference of plus one would attest to that. They like Shelbourne need a win to keep themselves in the title mix.
Galway are in the unenviable task of being fairly safe from Relegation while any hope of a title challenge has probably diminished at this stage. They might just be a good tip to bring the FAI Cup back Corribside for the first time since 1991. They might just tread water in the League for the rest of the season. A draw would do little for either side but it just might be what we get
Prediction: Derry City 2 Galway United 2
Sligo Roversvs Waterford
Sligo are a point from safety and could be under severe pressure come tomorrow evening in the event of a Cork City win tonight. Waterford on the other hand have shown a bit more form recently and much like Ger Nash in Cork, I’m sure John Coleman appreciated the time given to him by the mid- season break to acclimatise
I think Waterford will edge this one by virtue of the time that Coleman has now had to set them up a bit more to his liking. Away win
Prediction Sligo Rovers 1 Waterford 2
First Division:
Athlone Town 1 Kerry FC 1
Finn Harps 1 Wexford 0
Treaty United 1 Bray Wanderers 3
Dundalk 3 UCD 0
Longford 1 Cobh Ramblers 4
There you have it, hope you enjoyed the break and are ready as the #greatestleagueintheworld kicks back into full throttle!