Another long weekend of league and cup actions. Here's something we learned this week in the SSE Airtricity League.
1) Dundalk are done grieving over Stephen O'Donnell
2 poor performances since the skipper got injured were quickly forgotten about on Friday as Dundalk thrashed the early pace-setting Cork City 4-0. Cork had won their three previous away games this season but couldn't handle Dundalk's powerful midfield with Towell and Mountney causing havoc. Cork travel to Inchicore on Friday and a loss to St Pats could see them start to fall back into mid-table. Dundalk are now top and with 2nd playing 3rd on Friday could open a bit of a gap by beating a quickly unraveling Drogheda United in Oriel Park.
2) St Pats and Sligo Rovers should be near the top of the table at the end of the season
After a frustrating first half in Sligo, the winners of the past 2 LOI championships played out a breathtaking second period that highlighted the best, and worst, of each side. Sligo led at half time thanks a great counter attack led by Alan Keane (finished by John Russell) but had to play second fiddle for most of the second half as Pats up the tempo. With Chris Forrester leading most attacks, the Saints deservedly went in front thanks to full back Ian Bermingham's attacking prowess. That attacking prowess though allowed Sligo to counter and both sides had chances throughout the 2nd half. Pats argued strongly that the penalty awarded to Sligo allowing them equalise was soft but they had chances to clear earlier. If either side can tighten up a bit at the back, they'll be in with a big chance of silverware.
3) Shamrock Rovers squad isn't as deep as previous years.
Rovers equalised at home to Limerick when Jason McGuinness headed home a penalty save rebound. It was Rovers second missed penalty and came against outfielder Shane Tracy (after keeper Barry Ryan was sent off). Rovers huffed and puffed for most of the game but without (injured) McPhail and (suspended) Finn had little creative talent in midfield. While Rovers B team were winning away to Finn Harps, the first team had only 6 players on the subs bench in Tallaght. In recent years, the job of the Rovers manager was to succesfully juggle a talent packed squad. That isn't the case for Trevor Croly this year who will be hoping to avoid injuries to 2/3 key players.
4) Athlone Town won't go the season without a point.
Hurrah for Athlone Town! We knew they'd get a point somewhere but new man Keith Long will be delighted it was achieved in his first game and with a clean-sheet too. It leaves them 10 points behind the rest of the league but with a week off next week, Long has plenty of time to get his ideas across.
5) The League Cup may be on the way out
It looks like the EA Sports Cup is going the same direction as the Setanta Cup with yesterday's 6 2nd round ties attracting very poor crowds. Cork City had averaged over 4,000 fans for each of their last 3 league games but could only attract 579 to the Cup tie at home to struggling Waterford United. It may simply be a case of too many games in the April/May period but with practically every club putting out severely weakened sides, fans aren't too bothered about the games. There's 2 more games tonight and perhaps the quarter finals on will bring in a crowd.
Also from this weekend; Patrick McEleney scored a cracker to earn Derry a point away to Bohs.
