Another weekend gone and we're now passed the mid-point of the season. We'll have a mid-season review (of sorts) next weekend but here's the biggest points from week 15 of the Airtricity League.
1) Dundalk are in with a shout now
They've played the league leaders St Pats twice now and twice they've 2-1. They struggled to break down a Pats team that was down to 10 men from the half hour mark and even went behind but battled on and got the vital 3 points. Striker Kurtis Byrne is having a terrific first season in the league and his smartly taken goal was the catalyst for Dundalk's turnaround. Pats great run had to come to an end and with 2 of their next 3 away to Sligo and Derry, they'll know a lot about their title challenge then.
2) Sligo back scoring and Shamrock back winning. Happy Rovers?
Sligo Rover's goal drought ended in spectacular fashion at home to UCD on Friday night. 4 games without a goal, then 5 in the one game. Sligo even went one down but surely nobody in the Showgrounds doubted their attack against UCD? Winning their game in hand would have them only a point behind St Pats who they play at the start of July. Shamrock Rovers won their 4th game in 6 as they continue to turnaround their season. Another clean sheet too to please the manager. With most of their rivals heading into European competition soon, they'll be hoping to sneak back into the race for honours
3) Rory Patterson is ripping the league up
We've mentioned Patterson a lot in these columns but his scoring record now stands as 14 league goals in 15 games. He bagged two on Friday and even felt generous enough to score an own goal to help out Bray, His goals mean Derry are the top scoring team too. Patterson himself has scored more than 2 teams. He limped off towards the end of the game and the break might have come at just the right time for him and Derry. you get the feeling that his fitness is crucial to their title challenge.
4) Maybe relegation isn't a formality.
Shelbourne had a huge, in pretty much most meanings of the word, 3-0 win over Bohemians in Dalymount Park on Friday night. THe win brought them to wtihin 5 points of Bohs and UCD. For Bohs it meant they've earned only 2 points in the second series of games (league worst). Shels improved their away goals tally by 400% and will look to hit th games after the break with renewed hope. UCD stay second bottom after conceding 5 for the 3rd consecutive league game (in between they shipped 4 in the FAI Cup). Martin Russell's team seemed to be pulling thmselves out of the mire but they simply can't afford to defend like that every week..
5) Maybe promotion isn't a formality
Longford Town lost away to the Athlone Town and in the process kept the First Division title alive for the top 4/5 clubs. Athlone's win brought Roddy Collins' lads into 2nd place and they're followed by Wexford and Waterford, the other two winners from the weekend. 4 points seperate Athlone from 6th place Finn Harps and any side that can put together a string of wins will leap forward in this division. Longford's gap is down to 6 points but must surely still be considered favourites?
(pic of Athlone fans courtesy of Longford fan @aveybav
