Another busy weekend of action in the Airtricity League. Here's the main take-aways.
1) There's nothing like scoring seven goals to cheer up supporters
Rovers came into the week after 5 successive draws and with only one win this season. They hadn't scored more than once in those 5 games. They exploded on Friday night with a seven goal haul against Bray Wanderers in Tallaght. Just the pick-me-up Rovers fans needed ahead of the Setanta Cup semi final with Cork on Tuesday and the big game away to Derry City next Friday.
2) Derry City are probably Sligo's biggest challengers this season
Even though Dundlak continue to disappoint at home (yet to win this season), Friday was still a game between the sides in 2nd and 3rd place in the league. Derry came from a goal behind to win 3-1 with another 2 goals for Rory Patterson. Only the goal scoring exploits of Player of the Month Anthony Elding is keeping Patterson somewhat out of the spotlight
3) Sligo Rovers know how to do professional wins now
Not for the first time this season. Sligo Rovers weren't firing on all cylinders, and they were still far too good for Cork City in yesterday's live TV game. Helped by a couple of mistakes, Sligo pounced and equalled Cork's Premier Division record of 8 wins from the start of the season. Pats stopped that run in 1998 and went on to win the league. Sligo look a better bet for league honours this year. They know how to unwind after a game too, as this tweet from Raff Cretaro shows;
Ha ha ha twitter.com/RaffCretaro/st…
— Raff Cretaro (@RaffCretaro) April 13, 2013
4) Shelbourne are in real trouble
The current stat line reads Played 7, Drew 1, Lost 6, Scored 2, Red Cards 3, Penalties Conceded 3. Shels next 3 games are away to Pats, Cork & Limerick. Friday night saw Shels in the lead for nearly haf an hour; their longest spell this season. They capitulated though and conceded 2 in the final 5 minutes to lose 3-1. Even Gary O'Neill scored for Drogheda
Gary O’Neill goal v Shels last night ended a barren run in 19 AL games.His previous goal was on Oct 2, 2011, for Shamrock Rvs v Drogheda!
— Airtricity League (@airtricityleag) April 13, 2013
5) Cobh Ramblers home games are the best entertainment in World Football.
That's the box score from Cobh Ramblers' win last night at home to the previously unbeaten Mervue United. 8 goals, 3 red cards, 4 penalties (one missed). Conor Meade's 4 goals last night bring him to 9 for the season (in only 6 games). Cobh Ramblers fans are certainly getting value for money on their return to the League of Ireland. Their previous two home games have seen them beat Wexford Youths 5-0 and lose 3-4 to Longford Town. They're averaging an astonishing 6.66 goals per game in St Colmans.
Lots of midweek action this week in League and Setanta Cup. We'll keep you updated with all the big stories.
