Is there any stopping Dundalk? Let's have a look at the state of the League of Ireland in Week 11.
The Big Story
They travel to Inchicore to face St Patrick's Athletic on Friday and the respective forms of both teams couldn't be more different. Just how far into the season can Dundalk remain unbeaten?
The Team Of The Week
Bray Wanderers started life under Trevor Croly with a hard fought win over St Pats on Saturday. St Pats were awful but considering Bray had lost their last 4 (conceding 20 goals!), I don't think many can begrudge Bray their TOTW award. Trevor Croly seems to have an immediate impact. There are enough teams around the bottom that he could quickly get Bray into a comfortable position in the league if he can sort of their defensive issues
The GIF of the Week
Before last Friday, Bohemians had conceded only once in 6 away league games. Galway scored 5. The pick of them is this lovely curling effort from Ryan Connolly.
Your Off Field "Uh Oh!" of the Week
And a story from today's @IrishStarSport... FAI Look Into Bet 'Breach' pic.twitter.com/KUETNkJn70
— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) May 18, 2015
Mark McCadden of the Irish Star reports that the FAI is investigating a Drogheda player over bets placed on their game in Sligo. McCadden points out
the alleged wager — for a small amount of money — was a non-winning one
The 'uh oh!' factor isn't for any damage done to the league's integrity but rather to Drogheda who could have a player suspended when they've a very small squad to begin with. Drogheda's PRO has indicated that not all media will be accredited for Friday's game so expect some non-football journalists to be involved with this story.
The Sportsfile Picture of the Week
Your Greatest League In The World™ Pic of the Week
Super display by @FR08_Official this evening in the Showgrounds @sligorovers 2 nil winners v Drogheda Utd pic.twitter.com/wQT6JT4Y6b — sligosportphotos (@sligosportphoto) May 16, 2015
Sligo's fans did their bit towards securing Owen Heary's first home win.
Your Greatest League In The World™ Player Tweet of the Week
@pskins1 Did I ever tell u the time I played against Real & Juve? Now I'm arguing wit the missus about who's putting out the green bins? — Patrick Flynn (@pajoflynn) May 13, 2015
Pat Flynn continues to be the best LOI player to follow on twitter.
Stat of the Week
@ShamrockRovers are unbeaten in 20 consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since a run of 31 from Oct 1956 to Apr 1957 — Karl Reilly (@HistoryLOI) May 19, 2015
Next Week
Friday night sees Dundalk travel to a wounded St Pats team looking to further dent their hopes of a European spot. Killian Brennan has been sent off in 3 of his last 6 league games against Dundalk. Pats have lost all 3. They've won 2 and drawn 1 of the other 3. In Cork 2nd play 3rd with Shamrock Rovers visiting.
Their previous game finished 0-0 and many will be expecting a similar result this time round. Elsewhere Bohs will be looking to get back on track at home to Bray and Galway will look to cement their top 6 place away to Drogheda. Derry, without a goal in their last 4 games, host Sligo and Longford play bottom side Limerick. In the first, leaders Harps host UCD in the pick of the games.
