Another League of Ireland weekend in the books. Here's the important take-aways.
1) Derry City know how to crush the bottom 4
Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne and UCD fill the bottom four spots in the Premier Division. Derry have played all four and won by a combined 16-0 score. (Sligo have won the same four games 11-0). Derry's next five games include trips to Oriel Park, Inchicore and Sligo. Can the likes of Paterson and Rafter continue their excellent goalscoring form in those games?
2) Shamrock Rovers may be on the most Pyrrhic unbeaten run ever.
We mentioned above that the bottom 4 of Bohs, Bray, Shels & UCD are struggling. The only team outside that 4 that have dropped points to them is Shamrock Rovers with scoreless draws with Bohs & Shels. Friday night they drew with the league's other draw specialists Drogheda (11 combined draws in 14 games). They're already 12 points leaders Sligo. Last season was widely considered a disaster for them and they finished 9 points back. If Rovers don't beat Bray in Tallaght on Friday, what happens rookie manager Trevor Croly?
3) Sligo Rovers winning streak pleases headline writers
After Sligo's "Five Star" performances, and then having "Six Appeal" in recent weeks, it's only right that they claim the "magnificent seven" title too. Their 2-0 win over Shelbourne was less than most expected but with a perfect record and a five point lead, Sligo won't care. many Sub-editors may be hoping Cork City can get a result in Sligo next week as even the most devote pun lovers can't love Sligo being "gr-eight"
4) Mervue United could win promotion from the First Division.
Mervue United remain unbeaten and in second place in the First Division after last night's draw away to leaders Longford Town. Johnny Glynn's side have every chance of promotion on the field. off the field is where it may get tricky. We outlined some of the issues surrounding football in Galway in our pre-season preview, and last week came news of possible investment in a single Galway LOI team. If Mervue win promotion, would the investors seek to row in behind a team with a Premier Division place and save themselves a year's rebuilding? In this league, anything is possible.
5) League of Ireland players love team photos.
Thanks to Macdara Ferris for this pic showing how close teammates Ciaran Kilduff and Karl Sheppard are.
And thanks to Kim for this pic of Anthony Elding and Raf Cretaro during Sligo's team photo.
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