Football supporters are a superstitious bunch. Tempting fate is perhaps one of the most unforgiveable sins one can commit in the suffocating pressure of a neck and neck title race. Reign in your hopes; keep them in check, because football will do its best to find a way to see them dashed. That said, there comes a time when talk of glory forces itself into the daily conversation – superstitions be damned. If there was any restraint on title talk in Dundalk, as the Lillywhites steamrolled through side after side in recent months, then this morning there will be more than one mention of a long awaited return to the glory days at Oriel Park.
Contrasting fortunes for the league’s two remaining realistic title challengers on the southside of the capital last night have seen Dundalk move to the top of the Premier Division table, while St. Pat’s now need to win their game in hand to regain the top spot they held for so long.
Dundalk won 2-0 against UCD, at the Belfield Bowl, while Pat’s were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Bohemians, at Richmond Park.
Goals from Patrick Hoban and Richard Towell sealed the win for Stephen Kenny’s side, with both goals coming in the final half hour following a red card for the visitors’ Stephen O’Donnell, for a second bookable offence.
St. Pat’s have felt the relentless pursuit of Dundalk over the past two months and with the Oriel Park side now having won 9 of their last 11 in the league – and their last 5 – any pressure felt by Liam Buckley’s men will only be magnified by the loss, albeit potentially temporarily, of first place in the league. A disappointing 1-1 draw at home last night, against a battling Bohs side who appear to have turned a corner under the leadership of Owen Heary, will bring the potential for a calamitous collapse very much into focus.
Pat’s took the lead early on thanks to Chris Forrester, but Dinny Corcoran slotted home the equaliser following a mistake from Ian Bermingham.
The night, and point, proved all the sweeter for Bohs as all of their relegation rivals lost. Shelbourne were beaten 2-1 at home by Shamrock Rovers, with both sides reduced to 10 men during the second half. Rovers were the far superior side in the first half and a 2 goal lead was probably less than just as the Hoops failed to capitalise on Shelbourne’s abject performance. The Reds were somewhat improved in the second half and a penalty early on in the second half gave them hope. When Mark Quigley missed a penalty and then got himself sent off in the immediate aftermath there was real hope for the Tolka Park faithful that an unlikely point might be won. However when Robert Cornwall was shown a second yellow midway through the second half the minor sings of life in the Shelbourne fight back evaporated.
Bray wanderers went down to a 2-0 defeat at Hunky Dory Park, as Drogheda United ensured the Seagulls will spend another week rooted to the foot of the table. Goals from Gary O’Neill and Gavin Brennan were the difference on the night in Louth.
Cork City and Derry City continued their respective seasons of inconsistency with Cork running out 4-1 winners at Turner’s Cross. Danny Morrissey got a hat-trick, with Ciaran Kilduff scoring the remaining goal for Cork. Rory Patterson got a late consolation for Derry.
Premier Division table
Played Points
Dundalk 26 55
St. Pats Ath 25 54
Sligo Rovers 24 46
Derry City 25 45
Shamrock Rvrs 26 39
Cork City 26 33
Drogheda Utd 25 32
Limerick 25 29
U.C.D 26 25
Bohemians 26 22
Shelbourne 26 20
Bray Wanderers 26 20
Image: Dundalk's Pat Hoban celebrates scoring a goal
©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
