The seasons started off looking like there would be no title race, such was Sligo’s seemingly unstoppable start to the season. Commentators began to wonder if the chasing pack should mark this down to experience and start the battle for Europe. But Sligo were to prove their own worst enemies and the drama of a battle for the title once again became something to get excited about.
A mid season surge by Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk rekindled hopes of a dramatic tussle to the wire, but now it looks as if this year’s Premier Division title race might fade away without much by way of a duel. Dundalk’s loss to Limerick last night, 2-1 at Oriel Park, has left St. Pat’s 5 points clear with just 4 games to go. Liam Buckley’s side look set now to ease across the line, with just 8 points needed from the last 12 to bring the league title back to Inchicore for the first time since 1999.
A 3-1 win over Bray on Thursday night left Dundalk knowing anything less than a win would put one hand on the trophy in Richmond Park. Whereas once Dundalk looked like something of an unstoppable machine they have now lost 2 games in the space of a week and suddenly all of that hope seems to have rapidly evaporated. A second or third placed finish is still miraculous – not to mention they are in the FAI Cup semi-final – for a team who almost went out of existence last year, but there will be severe regret that they couldn’t push that continue that excellent form into the final few weeks.
Sligo moved ahead of Dundalk with a 2-0 win over Shelbourne. Danny Ventre and Iarfhlaith Davoren scored first half goals and a struggling Shelbourne were never able to bring the result into question after that. The champions know they almost certainly will be surrendering their title in the coming weeks, but a late season push and a cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers means the year isn’t yet categorised as a disappointment at the Showgrounds.
For Shelbourne the season has now boiled down to a stare down between themselves and Bray. Bohemians won again last night, firmly removing themselves from the relegation conversation and with just 1 point separating the bottom two sides, but Shelbourne having a game in hand, the only question left is who faces the automatic drop and who gets the playoff spot.
Ryan McEvoy was the hero for Bohs, with two first half goals against Derry City. Derry have now failed to win back to back games since June, and when they were down to 10 men after 69 minutes last night the hopes of ending that run ended. Derry should still be OK for a European spot, but with Shamrock Rovers narrowing the gap to 3 points the Brandywell side will know the job remains far from completed.
Cork City were 2-0 winners at home to UCD, with 2 goals from Ian turner in the first 20 minutes enough to complete a routine win.
