We are eight games into the season and what has been on show has been fantastic. Fans are seeing a really high standard of football this season and even the critics of the league are giving out positive comments. The games are coming thick and fast and the SSE Airtricity League should be proud of what it has produced over the first eight games. I can see an incredible improvement in the skill level this season, and in the two divisions, it will be nip and tuck as to who wins the silverware. Two items that could change for me so as to make it the best start ever, would be for a bit more live coverage on our TV stations and also a few more fans getting up off their backsides on a Friday night and getting out to a live game. Let me below fill you in on all the details of the round of eight matches and bring you right up to date on everything that is SSE Airtricity League.
After round eight of games, Dundalk sit top of the league after another win, this time over Galway United by three goals to nil. Richie Towell scored a thirteen minute hat trick, to the absolute delight of his manager Stephen Kenny. I have been amazed with the defence the champions have put up at the start of this season to try and make it two titles in two seasons. Everyone should also note that Dundalk are unbeaten so far this term and can only get better as the season goes on. Cork City sit only two points behind the leaders and they had a very impressive two nil win over Longford Town in Cork. Goals from Colin Healy and Garry Buckley saw off Longford, who put up a park the bus type plan for the game. Cork's home games are going to be so important if they are to put in a challenge this season. One thing that the Cork fans are noted for is the support of their club, and the atmosphere in the ground when Cork play at home, is incredible. Elsewhere in the league Shamrock Rovers went to a resurgent Bray and won three nil. In fairness it was a really hard earned three points and manager Pat Fenlon was delighted. Rovers will not be far away when it comes to the final shake up and things are starting to happen under the management of Fenlon. So that is your top three in the Premier League and they are only separated by four points,from third to first. In other games Derry won two nil away at Limerick, which sees Limerick rooted to the bottom of the league. Title favourites before a ball was kicked this season were Sligo and their problems continue as they were held nil all at home to Bohemians. In the one remaining game, we saw a superb two all draw between Saint Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United.
In Division one the team who are now racing ahead at the top of the league are Finn Harps. The men from the north west, traveled to second place Wexford Youths and came away with all three points after winning one nil. That now puts a whopping five points between the two. Third place Athlone could only manage to draw, two all at home to Cabinteely, who in fairness must have been delighted with their point.The other two games in the league saw UCD win at home, three nil against Waterford. Cobh Ramblers beat Shelbourne one nil and poured more stress on new Shelbourne manager Kevin Doherty.Big things were expected from Shelbourne this season and so far they have been a big let down. I wonder if the new manager will survive for much longer,if the results do not improve. A lot of eyebrows were raised when Kevin was given the job and I know he is on a tight budget at the club. I for one would love to see him succeed as he is one of the nice guys of Irish football.
So as we go into this weekend,s games all eyes will turn to Turners Cross where Cork will take on leaders Dundalk. This will give everyone a better idea of how far Cork have to go if they want to win this years title. This game is been shown live on national television in Ireland and it will give the armchair fan an idea of what they are missing. I myself have a choice of two games to go to and I am so looking forward to the next couple of days. I will be reporting everything back to all you guys on next Monday's Pitch Talk, so tune in and catch up on everything that is SSE Airtricity League. Until next week enjoy your football and I hope your team gets you the result you want.
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