Here's the State of the League of Ireland after 3 weeks of action. Early days so far but three teams; Bohemians, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers have yet to concede a goal. Only one, Bray Wanderers, has yet to score.
The Big Story
The bookies pre-season favourites St Patrick's Athletic have started with 2 defeats from 3 games. Losing in Tallaght Stadium and Oriel Park isn't necessarily a big deal in isolation but Saints manager Liam Buckley can't be happy to be 6 points behind Dundalk already.
They have 3 very winnable ties coming up and it's not too early to say they really do need to win all 3 if they've ambitions to win the league. They'll be down to bare bones this week with injuries to Brendan Clarke, Ger O'Brien and Jason McGuinness, suspensions for Conor McCormack and Killian Brennan and international call ups for Lee Desmond and Jamie McGrath. A big test for the FAI Cup holders.
The Team Of The Week
Bohemians are top of league having won their opening 3 games without conceding a goal. Dundalk are only a goal behind them but not many pundits expected Bohs to be up there, even at this early stage. They've been helped by a relatively easy opening schedule but Keith Long's men have still dominated each of the three games they've played and won each of them comfortably.
They have a very tough 4 days this week though as they entertain Champions Dundalk tonight before travelling to Tallaght Stadium for the derby game with Shamrock Rovers on Friday. If they win both of those games, they will absolutely be the team of the week next week too!
The GIF of the Week
Galway United lost their opening 2 games this season so really needed something to kick start their season. They got it on Friday night with this excellent goal from striker Enda Curran. The former Salthill Devon man didn't enjoy his time with Derry City last season but he showed his quality with this winning goal against Drogheda United.
The Sportsfile Picture of the Week
Your Greatest League In The World™ Pic of the Week
New water feature installed at Tallaght. #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld pic.twitter.com/cesC5eQWrF
— Peadar O'Sullivan ? (@posephoto) March 20, 2015
Your Greatest League In The World™ Player Tweet of the Week
Absolute scandalous decision highlighted on @SoccRepublic like I told the ref I want an apology next time our paths cross???? Now I miss Cork???????? — Samuel Oji (@SamuelOji_24) March 23, 2015
He deleted this one that followed....
Oji was sent off against Drogheda United and misses tonight's game with Cork City.
The Off-Field Whinge of the Week
Last Tuesday we mentioned that Limerick were in trouble. Two days later they banned 30 fans for "unacceptable behaviour." You can read the full statement here but rightly or wrongly, it doesn't paint a picture of a club in rude health. The group's de facto spokesman Kevin Kiely was interviewed by the Limerick Post.
“The problems started when one of the group questioned the chairman as to why they were being moved and he took off on a foul-mouthed rant towards loyal fans and paying customers of the club. He was effing and blinding at us."
Whatever the motivation behind the bans, it hasn't helped the cause of Limerick FC this week.
Attendance: 481 #loi — Limerick FC (@LimerickFCie) March 21, 2015
The League Leaders
Full time: Bray 0 #Bohs 1. #TopOfTheLeague — Bohemian FC (@bfcdublin) March 21, 2015
Next Week
A huge week in the SSE Airtricity League with a full round of midweek fixtures tonight (Tuesday) and again on Friday and Saturday. Bohs and Sligo Rovers have the toughest schedule with alternating games against Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.
Bray travel to Longford tonight looking for their first point. If St Pats can beat Derry City (home) and Limerick (away) they could drag themselves back up the table if the leaders drop points. We have a feeling the league table will look a lot different next Tuesday for our next update.
