Week 2 of the SSE Airtricity League is done and dusted. Here's our take-aways;
1) Most teams are still finding their feet
For the first time since 2006, no team has a 100% win record after only two weeks. Bohemians came closest but were denied by a late Gary O'Neill equaliser for Drogheda United in the only clash between teams who both had a win on the board. The only other side to bring 3 points into week 2 was Sligo Rovers who were shocked in Bray. It was Bray's 1st win in 17 attempts v Sligo. Bray are the only team not to concede this season too.
2) St Pats aren't justifying pre-season favourites' tag
For the second consecutive week, St Pats' highly touted midfield struggled to impose themselves and it took all the champions' resolve to claw thei way back from being 2-1 down to UCD to snatch victory in stoppage time. Already missing the injured Killian Brennan, Pats lost Keith Fahey early in the 2nd half and will obviously be hoping the knock is a minor one. UCD performed far better than their recent results versus Bohemians suggested possible and looked devastated at full time. Pats were happy to taake the 3 points and speak of the need to improve.
3) Dundalk fans were nervous for a while
After last week's disaster in Drogheda, Dundalk needed a win at home to Limerick on Friday. When they went behind early on (thanks to a Peter Cherrie fumble), Dundalk fans were starting to worry that talk of second season syndrome was coming true. However Dundalk turned things round and goals from strikers Hoban and Byrne put to rest most of the worries for a while. Dundalk travel to Sligo Rovers next Saturday in what is probably the biggest game of the season so far.
4) Athlone Town look like the could struggle
Athlone's first home game of the season highlighted the size of the challenge ahead of Mick Cooke and his team. Shamrock Rovers, so lethargic a week previously, were always in control and were 2 up after just 25 minutes. Rovers reverted to a 5 man midfield this week and the 4 goal haul justified the change. Athlone lost last year's Player of the year Aidan Collins to injury in the second half and their squad is already stretched. Next week they travel to the only other team (UCD) without a point so far.
5) Derry's slow start wasn't helped by their pitch
Unlike last season, pitches in the league are generally in decent conditions even with the very wet winter we experienced. Unfortunately that isn't the case in Derry were yesterday's TV clash with Cork City was never going to be a classic with the Brandywell in the state it is. The pitch wasn't solely to blame though and as last week, Derry approached the game fairly tentatively. Cork didn't create too much themselves but scored another set piece goal and deserved the victory.
Shamrock Rovers look set to claim the final Setanta Cup semi spot this evening away to Glentoran and there's a full round of league action next weekend.
