We asked 5 questions yesterday, and already some of them have been answered. Here's the main points from last night's action
1) Shamrock Rovers are probably back.
We say probably because even though they beat Pats 3-0, the fact Pats gifted them all three goals should put an asterisk on some of the praise they'll get. Rovers were far better on the night and ran out deserved winners, but in truth they came up against little opposition in a desperately disappointing Pats team. James Chambers swapped sides in the off season and he was excellent throughout.
[youtube
]Next up for both sides are games against Bohs and Shels (Monday - Bohs v Rovers, Tuesday - Pats v Shels, Saturday - Rovers v Shels, Pats v Bohs). Rovers will be full of confidence and expect to win both games. Pats will still feel they should win both games but with only 1 goal in 4 League and Setanta Cup games so far. The fans shown in this MNS tweet will be nervous.
. @stpatsfc fans in Tallaght Stadium. 13 mins gone, no goals. Updates here & live on RTÉ Two. bit.ly/YwErD5 twitter.com/RTEMNS/status/…
— Monday Night Soccer (@RTEMNS) March 15, 2013
2) Shels shoot themselves in the foot again
Shels were leading 1-0 at home to Dundalk and looking good for their first points of the season. Then they performed hari-kari again;
Penalty for Dundalk, Shorthall gets a yellow for the challenge.
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) March 15, 2013
Garland wins the ball, but the ref determines it to be a foul worthy of a second yellow. Red for Gartland.
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) March 15, 2013
A penalty gifts Dundalk an equaliser, and the obligatory Shels red card allows them to go on win 3-1. Shels are now on target for 33 red cards this season. In their next two games Shels travel to Pats and host Rovers. 2 defeats there and manager Alan Mathews could be in real trouble.
3) Sometimes you get crazy games in this League
Drogheda United and Limerick played out a 2-2 draw last night. Limerick managed to pick up a point despite giving away 3 penalties and having 2 players and their manager sent off. Drogheda played a full part in the shenanigans by missing one of those penalties and giving away one to Limerick too. No quotes yet from Limerick Manager Stuart Taylor but it's probably something along the lines of;
"Well that ****ing ****bag can go and **** his *****, the ****"
4) Cork are going to be decent at home
Cork went behind to a first half header from Bohs Owen Heary but recovered to win 2-1. They'll be particularly happy to see new signing Danny Furlong notch his first Premier Division goal after his close-season move from Wexford Youths. Cork fans didn't celebrate their goals as exuberantly as travelling Bohs fans did.
One fan wrestled to the ground, several others walking back off the field.Pandemonium. #supportingloi
— Alan Smith (@alansmith90) March 15, 2013
Cork City supporter throws his coffee (or tea!) at a Bohs fan after they scored a goal. twitter.com/CathalIRL/stat…
— Cathal Noonan (@CathalIRL) March 15, 2013
5) UCD are probably going to struggle this year.
Another team to have their second man sent off in two games, UCD lost 6-0 at home to Derry City, with Rory Patterson scoring a first half hat-trick. You know a team has put in a bad performance when venerable old broadsheets like the Irish Times use words like 'inept'.
Bray Wanderers travel to champions Sligo Rovers tonight. If either side wins, they'll be the only Prenier Division side with a 100% record after only two games.
