Here's the State of the League of Ireland after 4 weeks (and five games in the Premier Division) of action. Dundalk have won all five without conceding. Bray have lost all five without scoring. Here's what you need to know.
The Big Story
Interest in the international team dwarfs that of the SSE Airtricity League. If we were better writers we'd think of a word that accurately describes the difference. It's big.
So anytime the LOI can hitch onto the coat-tails of the national team it must do so. This week's dramatic European Championship qualifier gave the FAI the perfect photo with 4 of Ireland's most influential players (on the day) involved and all having started their professional careers in the LOI. Fans, and some clubs, have been quick to make the link but will the FAI marketing people do likewise? We'll have to wait and see.
The Ireland under 19 side were 8 minutes away from beating Germany (in Germany) on Saturday. That team contained 4 players currently with LOI clubs (and some who started there too). Between both sides there were players who have played for 9 different LOI clubs. Will FAI marketing shift towards a "stars of the future" league rather than focusing on international coming home for their last few years?
The Team Of The Week
Dundalk have started the season with 5 straight wins and they've yet to concede a goal. This week saw them travel to (then-top of the league) Bohemians and win 3-0 before on Friday night waltzing past Sligo Rovers for another 3-0 win.
They were made work by Bohs who'll point to Anto Murphy's sending off as a turning point but Dundalk, like versus St Pats the previous week, are experts are punishing mistakes. They didn't have long to wait for Sligo to start gifting goals and the 3-0 scoreline isn't even a reflection of Dundalk's superiority. All while Dundalk strolled around in 2nd gear for most of the match. David McMillan's 4 goals in 3 games is a good sign for the rest of their season.
The GIF of the Week
By now you've probably seen Greg Bolger's goal of the week so instead we'll highlight Sean Thornton's excellent free kick for Drogheda United to earn them a point at home to Limerick. You can already see how important Thornton is to Drogheda. He missed his first game of the season on Friday in Derry and they lost 3-0.
The Sportsfile Picture of the Week
Your Greatest League In The World™ Pic of the Week
Please follow us and share Tarzan's pic with all your friends! #YesEqualityWicklow #MarRef pic.twitter.com/jMw3KGz995
— YesEqualityWicklow (@YesWicklow) March 29, 2015
Bray Wanderers legend Kieran 'Tarzen' O'Brien is the only LOI head to be used in a poster for the Marriage referendum so far. We'll keep you posted here if others pop up on either side...
Your Greatest League In The World™ Club Tweet(s) of the Week
Shamrock kick-off. — Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) March 24, 2015
For the third time Sligo attempt to kick off the second half
— Shamrock Rovers F.C. (@ShamrockRovers) March 24, 2015
We do enjoy the nod, nod, wink, wink back-and-forth on twitter between the two Rovers when they play.
Your Greatest League In The World™ Player Tweet of the Week
@seidodge @FM_Ireland celebrating in someone's face is unsporting gamesmanship - yellow card. It was just then he headbutt me. — Patrick Flynn (@pajoflynn) March 28, 2015
Pat Flynn defends himself after being sent off against Galway. TV cameras didn't catch it.
The Off-Field "Wahey" of the Week
UEFA today announced a pretty big increase in payments to clubs who qualify for European competition starting from this year. Here's what LOI clubs will receive;
Champions League - Dundalk
- Round 2 - €300,000 (up from €175,000)
- Round 3 - €400,000 (up from €200,000)
- Payment for not making group stages - €250,000 (up from €200,000)
Europa League - Cork City, Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic
- Round 1 - €200,000 (up from €120,000)
- Round 2 - €210,000 (up from €130,000)
- Round 3 - €220,00 (up from €140,000)
- Play off - €230,000 (up from €150,000)
We'll deal with group stages when it happens...
Stat of the Week
Bray Wanderers are the first League of Ireland club in history to lose their opening five games without scoring a goal
— Karl Reilly (@HistoryLOI) March 29, 2015
Next Week
The top 3 all look to have winnable games this Easter weekend. Friday sees Cork City host Derry City while Shamrock Rovers host Galway United. League leaders Dundalk travel to Limerick on Saturday. All 3 sides will see any points dropped as disappointing.
Bohs will look to get back to winning ways in Drogheda while Longford host St Pats with both teams coming off back-to-back wins. If Sligo Rovers can't beat Bray Wanderers at home their 'disappointing' start will quickly turn into a disastrous one. Oh and the 2nd round of the EA Sports Cup takes place on Monday and Tuesday too.
