Airtricity League Round Up Week #5

Unlike across the water in England where titles are won around the Easter time, in the SSE Airtricity League the first tables are forming after the first six games. It is when the shape of both leagues really starts to bed itself in and we can see who will be up for the challenge. So as we went into the weekend’s games I was focusing on whether Dundalk could keep their marvellous start going, could Cork keep up the challenge and what response were we going to get from all the other clubs who have failed to ignite their season just yet. It is also a time when clubs realise that managers may not be able to cut the mustard and rather than let it drag on into problems later on, they change the man at the top. We have had two managerial changes already with one in each league and I will cover that later in this blog in greater detail. So stick with me and let me below unravel all the ups and downs of week 5 in this seasons SSE Airtricity League.

Dundalk travelled to Limerick and having started so extremely well this season, were expecting to take all three points. It was a game Stephen Kenny’s men controlled from the start and looked odds on to take all three points until the 89th minute when Limericks Paul O Connor scored an equaliser. It truly was a disappointment for the many travelling Dundalk fans. The result ended Dundalk’s 100% start to the season and they also conceded their first goal. Limerick were delighted with the result and they hope it can kick start their season. 

The shock of the weekend or any weekend came at the showground, the home of Sligo Rovers. The home side were hammered by Bray Wanderers who if you can remember lost their manager Alan Matthews last week, after himself and his whole coaching staff resigned. It really left Bray in the lurch and their response was amazing. A hat trick from club captain David Cassidy saw off a home side, who were shocked by a defeat that nobody saw coming. This game had to be a coupon buster last weekend, it has now given Bray Wanderers something to build on and the only way for them is up. In other games in this division, Cork kept up the challenge and won three nil at home to Derry City. Bohemians had a great win away to Drogheda United and that puts them back in the race as well. 

Shamrock Rovers won three nil at home to Galway United and yes the President of the Republic of Ireland was in attendance once again to watch his beloved Galway. He was to return to the Presidential Palace an unhappy man though as goals from Drennan ( 2 ),and Miele saw off the away side. Elsewhere Longford Town and Saint Patricks Athletic drew two all and I have been hearing reports that overall it was a fair result.



In Division One there was also a managerial change over the weekend and I have to say I was delighted to hear the news that Cobh Ramblers had appointed Stephen Henderson as their new manager after Martin Cambridge resigned. Stephen is one of the nice guys of our football over here and I know if he reads this he will get my meaning. I want to wish him the best and I feel Cobh will be in safe hands with him at the helm. On the field Shelbourne travelled the long windy road to Waterford and came away with a two all draw, a result manager Kevin Doherty had to have been happy with. 

The Waterford trip over the years has seen many teams fail but on the night Shels deserved the point. Elsewhere there were wins for Cobh and Wexford Youths, in Belfield in Dublin UCD and Finn Harps shared the points in a two all draw. So in this league results are also shaping a league table which I have added below. This Friday night I shall be heading to Tolka Park to see Shels play Wexford Youths and it is a game I am looking forward to so much. I shall be back on the airwaves next Monday night with the boys from Pitch Talk so tune in and listen to my weekend report. See you there.