Here we go again- just one week ago we were basking in the glow of what was an exciting and thrilling Easter Weekend in the League of Ireland, we get to do it all over again. Its a double header weekend and such is close knit nature of the league this season- its very hard to say that anybody has called Mayday (pun intented) on their title challenge just yet.
Seven teams seperated by a total of 3 points guarantees us a few important title contender clashes this weekend as we wonder if this is the weekend where we begin to see some teams make a move to push themselves away from the rest.
I’m sure you are all wondering as well how we did last weekend on this column. Not a great week for us with one correct score in the Premier Division and three correct results in the First Division. This is a different week though so let’s see what is on offer tonight.
Bohemians vs Waterford
There is only one place to start this week and that has to be with the newly crowned comeback Kings of the Premier Division Bohemians. Never Mind Slade, Alan Reynolds probably wishes it could be April every day as his side embarked on a very impressive four wins out of five for the month. Theyve dragged themselves back into the title picture on that form. It’s a fantastic testament to a manager who has faced some grumblings earlier on in the season but who has deservedly consigned that kind of talk to the dustbin after their recent performances.
This is a very interesting game tonight. Ask many Waterford fans and I’m sure they would tell you that the corresponding fixture in Waterford in March is where the wheels came off the wagon earlier on in the season. A Colm Whelan hat-trick giving Bohemians a much needed 3-0 win at the time. Waterford struck a dent in Derrys title challenge and will be looking to do the same tonight. That win provided a much needed boost for Waterford and took the out of the relegation zone for a time.
Bohs have worked hard to get themselves back into contention and I don’t see them slipping up tonight. That being said would it really surprise anyone if Waterford won to put themselves on the periphery of the top given how the season has gone so far? Bohs to win with no need for last minute heroics this week.
Prediction Bohemians 2 Waterford 0
Cork City vs Shamrock Rovers
Corks absentee list grows longer by the day and they will probably feel they left 2 points behind them in Sligo last Saturday night having let their lead slip so late. The last time these sides played Cork gave their worst performance of the season in a 1-4 loss and I’m sure Tim Clancy will want to rectify that tonight by putting Stephen Bradley’s men under a bit more pressure than they did previously.
Considering the difficulties that Rovers have had in scoring victories over the past few games, Stephen Bradley must have been ecstatic seeing this fixture as their next one especially considering the injury problems Cork have at the moment as well. The 2-2 draw with Shelbourne last Friday really did nothing for either team in the grand scheme of things. Considering the World Snooker Championships are on at the moment, it would be remiss not to compare some of the teams near the top with an aggressive form of safety play in a snooker match. The likes of Rovers and Shelbourne just have not gotten their confidence sufficiently up to take on that long pot to kick start a break so far in Snooker terms.
That being said I’d expect Rovers to take the three points tonight. It will be the next few games where we will see if they can start to clear the table!
Prediction Cork City 1 Shamrock Rovers 3
Sligo Rovers vs Drogheda United
It’s top vs bottom tonight although in a league where things are so tight at the moment that probably does not give Kevin Doherty the same sense of confidence that it normally would. Sligo kept up some momentum with their late goal against Cork last week which was just as well as anything less and some real daylight between themselves and the rest would really have begun to show. Tonight they will feel like the possibilities are there to get something tonight from this one.
Drogheda head west for the second week in a row and on paper there is an argument to be said that they have the opportunity to take six points this weekend and really put the pressure on the other teams. I’m not too sure if they will do that though. They have not won in three games and it’s difficult to see them maintaining top spot without the three points tonight.
I think of Droghedas two games this weekend this is the one they might fall foul of. Drogheda won 3-0 last time out between the teams so Sligo will be looking for a measure of revenge tonight. It’s on the TV as well tonight. I’m thinking a draw here.
Prediction Sligo Rovers 2 Drogheda United 2
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Galway United
Two teams that had very contrasting fortunes last weekend. It will be interesting to see how Pats pick themselves up after the ending of that Bohs game. They did that themselves to Waterford earlier in the season so trying to pick themselves up having thrown that game away will be difficult. They will be looking for revenge having lost 2-1 in Galway earlier in the season.
Galway had a very good weekend last weekend. Beating the league leaders to join them at the top of the table albeit behind them on goal difference will have made it a very satisfactory one for John Caulfield and his men. They have shown no fear of playing in Dublin either so far this season and with Caulfields old nemesis Stephen Kenny on the opposite side of the dugout, it should make for an interesting game.
Conventional wisdom would give you a slight suspicion for Pats tonight. I think this will be a draw however.
Prediction St Patrick’s Athletic 0 Galway United 0
Derry City vs Shelbourne
This is a fixture that will of course bring back some joyous memories for Damien Duff and his team from last season. Derry will have been disappointed to take nothing back with them from Waterford. That was a big slip-up when points are so hard fought and they were taking on a team befeft of confidence.
Shelbourne will have been satisfied without being overly happy at the result in Tallaght last week. They will see this as an opportunity tonight to put a real dent in Derrys hopes and having won their under the most pressurised of circumstances last season will have no fear again tonight at the Ryan McBride Stadium.
I think Shels are due a win and will get it tonight. Not by much though.
Prediction Derry City 1 Shelbourne 2
Onto the First Division
UCD 1 Kerry FC 0
Finn Harps 1 Treaty United 0
Cobh Ramblers 1 Bray Wanderers 3
Athone Town 0 Dundalk 4
Longford Town 1 Wexford FC 1
So there you have it! Another exciting night in store and we get to do it again Monday! Enjoy your night watching the #greatestleagueintheworld.