Dundalk march on, Bohs and Cork keep the pressure on. Here's the State of the League of Ireland in Week 10.
The Big Story
The biggest story this week was off the field with Roddy Collins and Trevor Croly returning to the league as managers. Waterford United are in a desperate position at the foot of the league and when clubs are desperate, they do desperate things. Roddy Collins has been promoted in each of this last 2 First Division spells. He'll be called a miracle worker if he can get Waterford up this year. He'll enjoy that too. Bray's problems off the field are being well documented at the minute as confusion continues to reign with their take-over. In spite of all this Trevor Croly has been handed a 3 year contract as manager. For Bray's sake he'll be hoping his second managerial spell goes better than his first (when he finished 5th with Shamrock Rovers in his only full season).
The Team Of The Week
2 home games this weekend for Cork City, 2 wins and 6 goals scored. They may have toiled for stretches in both games but as ever, their superior fitness always gives them a chance to turn results into wins in the second half of games. On Friday they needed a late winner from Mark O'Sullivan to avoid throwing away an early 2 goal lead over struggling Sligo Rovers. Last night they fell behind to Drogheda United but ended up scoring 4 in the second half to run out comfortable winners with Billy Dennehy notching a hat-trick. They've now scored 17 goals at home (compared to only 5 away) and their next home opponent is Shamrock Rovers in 2 weeks. That game should tell us a great deal about their title ambitions.
The GIF of the Week
Who doesn't love an outfielder in goal? On Friday night Derry City lost 2 goal keepers through injury in their 2-0 defeat at home to Galway. Regular number 1 Ger Doherty was replaced just after the half hour mark by sub keeper Shaun Patton. The 19 year old was knocked out in the above horror collision which left Derry looking for a stand-in. Up stepped Anthony Elding to don the keeper's shirt and the big Englishman ended up keeping a clean sheet thanks partly to this GIF-worthy punch/save.
The Sportsfile Picture of the Week
Your Greatest League In The World™ Pic of the Week
Two nil ! Roddy Collins isn't impressed tho #loi @FinnHarpsFC @WACCOE @ExtratimeNews pic.twitter.com/SWPTm6iaGJ
— Daithí (@Daithionaroll) May 8, 2015
Roddy Collins recently suggested a number of clubs should be kicked out of the LOI, including Finn Harps. Their fans have taken his advice on board. Harps beat Waterford 3-2 in front of the watching Collins, before he was appointed manager of the Blues.
Your Greatest League In The World™ Club Tweet of the Week
Tommy Dunne shouts "stone wall penalty" at the referee in the break in play. The rest of what he said, I won't repeat on Twitter... — Galway United FC (@GalwayUnitedFC) May 8, 2015
Stat of the Week
25% of the @SSEAirtricityLg will be in UEFA competition this summer #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld
— Dodge (@seidodge) May 8, 2015
UCD's fair play spot means 5 of the 20 clubs have qualified for Europe this year. It will be the 4th time a club from the First Division will play in Europe; following Bray Wanderers (1990 & 1999) and Dundalk (2002).
Next Week
A bit of a down week in the Premier Division with the clash of Shamrock Rovers (3rd) and Longford Town (6th) the only game between 2 top six teams. The rest of the top 6 will expect wins; Dundalk at home to Derry, Cork away to Limerick, Bohs away to Galway, Pats away to Bray. Sligo Rovers host Drogheda United still waiting on their first home win of the season. If they don't beat Drogheda, Owen Heary might not last the weekend. In the First Division the game of the week is UCD v Wexford Youths. Leaders Harps travel to Cobh while Athlone host Shelbourne. Roddy Collins' first game is at home to Cabinteely.
