Week 10 of the Airtricity League doesn't finish until tomorrow evening, but here's our pick of the weekend's story lines.
1) Shamrock Rovers win the first Trophy of the Year
As you can see from the highlights above, Shamrock Rovers thumped Drogheda UnIted 7-1 to win the Setanta Sports Cup on Saturday. It was a thoroughly impressive showing from the Tallaght side and if they can repeat that there's no doub they'll improve on their current league placing of 6th (one ahead of Drogheda). They play St Patrick's Athletic tomorrow in Inchicore in what should be a tougher test for them.
2) Sligo Rovers stumbled again.
After a blistering start to the season (8 wins from opening 8 games), Sligo Rovers now have won only 1 of their last 5 games. Sligo had beaten bray in 10 of the previous 14 games between the sides and this side is feted as the best Rovers side of all time. Having lost 7 in a row before last week's win at Shelbourne, Bray will be hugely encouraged by the point
3) Derry City need to get back on track quick
Last Monday morning Derry City sat on top of the Airtricity League on goal difference. While the 3-0 scoreline in defeat to Sligo ROvers may have shocked, the loss wasn't totally unexpected. The 4-2 loss at home to UCD on Friday night certainly was. In both games Derry had a man sent off and gave away a penalty (they gave away 2 to UCD!). next week they'll need to beat a Drogheda side still seething from the manner fo their own weekend defeat.
4) UCD and Dundalk are, somehow, the form teams in the league
2 weeks ago UCD had earned a single point all season. They've now won 3 of their last 4 with, bizarrely, their only loss in that run to bottom side Shelbourne! Dundalk rebounded from last week's defeat to Shamrock Rovers with a late win over Shelbourne in Oriel Park. That was Dundalk's 4th win in the last 5 and they're now closer to leaders Sligo than they are to Limerick in 5th. They have a huge game away to Sligo Rovers on Saturday now to prove they're now just flat-track bullies beating the bottom 4/5 teams.
5) The First Division is crazy
Just as Longford Town looked to be pulling away, they lose 3-2 at home to Finn Harps to bring everyone back into the promotion hunt. Longford were actually losing 3-0 in the final minute but two late goals had Harps fans worried. Mervue United won again to cut the lead to 3 points and give all those calling for one 'super' team from Galway in the league more headaches. Former Galway, Pats and Cork man Johnny Glynn may be giving the best managerial performance in the country.
Also from this weekend;
Amazing picture of a rainbow over Cork City's Dennis Behan and Dalymount Park
Dundalk's Tiarnan Mulvenna and Shelbourne's Brian Shortall discuss
(Cover Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE)
