Here's the State of the League of Ireland after 7 weeks (and nine games in the Premier Division) of action. We're really starting to see patterns emerging. Let's have a look at the SSE Airtricity League.
The Big Story
A top 3 is starting to emerge. Friday night saw Bohemians lose at home to St Patrick's Athletic who in turn dropped 2 points at home to Drogheda United last night. While still not completely gone, teams looking to make title challenges can't afford too many results like that so we'll rule them out for now. That leaves Dundalk, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers within 4 points of each other at the top as the only unbeaten teams left. Rovers fight back against Dundalk on Friday night (aided by an iffy penalty) keeps them in touch and with 3 winnable games to end the first series they'll expect to be top at the end of that.
The Team Of The Week
It is seven years since Finn Harps have played in the Premier Division and they haven't really been close to promotion since. So although there's a long way to go in the First Division, let's celebrate Finn Harps going 5 points clear after a huge win in Wexford.
Harps win! 5 points clear! Everyone get yourselves to the Shelbourne game at Finn Park on Friday night! #UTH
— Finn Harps FC (@FinnHarpsFC) April 18, 2015
The GIF of the Week
Mikey Drennan is the top scoring striker in the country with 6 so far in his fledgling Shamrock Rovers career (Richie Towell is top scoring player with 7). His finish on Friday night against Dundalk showed why so many rated him highly at Aston Villa. His miss at the end showed why he still has work to do.
The Sportsfile Picture of the Week
Your Greatest League In The World™ Pic of the Week
Great to see @stkiernan1963 representing the club as Google Earth came through Inchicore #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld pic.twitter.com/Re28c7fI1Z — St Patrick's Ath (@stpatsfc) April 15, 2015
Your Greatest League In The World™ Club Tweet(s) of the Week
The large crowd of travelling Shelbourne fans have just arrived. 52 minutes gone
— Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) April 18, 2015
Stat of the Week
The big game on Friday (live on RTE 2) is Cork City v Dundalk. Want to know how important games between the teams were last year (with Dundalk winning all three)?
Anything less than 3 wins for Dundalk and Cork would have won the title. So Friday's game can't really be undersold.
Next Week
As we've indicated, Friday's Cork City v Dundalk game is the biggest in the league so far. A win for Dundalk would be a crippling psychological blow for Cork. A win for Cork and they lead the table. Shamrock Rovers may be hoping for a draw there and travel to bottom side Limerick on Saturday. Bray host Galway in a game that could be crucial for both sides survival hopes (already!). The winner of Drogheda v Longford will have some breathing space. Sligo Rovers travel to Inchicore to play a St Pats side that have drawn 3 of their last 4. Anything less than a win and the Saints may be out of it. In the First Division Finn Harps host Shelbourne while Wexford will look to get back to winning ways against Cabinteely.
