With the European U17 Championship Finals having commenced earlier today in Ireland, it was surprising and disappointing that there were four Airtricity League Premier Division matches, two of them in Dublin, also scheduled for this Friday evening. In form Bohemian were brought back down to earth by struggling visitors Cork City, who dispensed with manager John Caulfield earlier this week, with the ‘Rebels’ scoring the only goal in Dalymount Park. St Patrick’s Athletic went down to a crushing three nil defeat by visitors Waterford in Richmond Park, a response perhaps to their replacement in the Europa League by their hosts, announced earlier in the week. Dundalk and Derry City locked horns in Oriel Park where the hosts took a two goal lead through Patrick Hoban but the visiting ‘Candystripes’ rallied and scored twice, the equaliser a penalty which resulted in the dismissal of Hoban, to earn a point. The bottom two, Finn Harps and UCD, went head to head in Finn Park with the hosts emerging victorious by three goals to nil.
On Saturday evening the remaining duo, Sligo Rovers and current leaders Shamrock Rovers, faced each other in the Showgrounds with the hosts defeating the leaders by two goals to one.
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Shamrock Rovers 16 11 1 4 24 10 14 34
Dundalk 15 9 4 2 26 10 16 31
Bohemian 15 9 3 3 15 5 10 30
Derry City 15 7 4 4 23 17 6 25
St Patrick’s Athletic 15 6 3 6 12 14 -2 21
Waterford 15 5 4 6 20 20 – 19
Sligo Rovers 15 5 4 6 13 17 -4 19
Cork City 15 4 4 7 12 18 -6 16
UCD 15 3 1 11 13 29 -16 10
Finn Harps 16 1 4 11 13 31 -18 7
There was also a full programme of five Airtricity League First Division fixtures scheduled this Friday evening. Dublin duo, Cabinteely and Shelbourne, clashed at Stradbrook, another fixture in close proximity to our U17 side who were in action against Greece in Tallaght Stadium, with the hosts prevailing by one goal to nil. Current leaders Longford Town travelled to Drogheda United and maintained top place with a one nil victory while Athlone Town played out a one all draw with their visitors Cobh Ramblers. The Markets Field was the venue for the meeting of Limerick and Bray Wanderers with the hosts victorious by one goal to nil. The bottom two, Galway United and Wexford, clashed in Eamonn Deacy Park where the hosts secured a two nil success.
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Longford Town 10 7 3 0 13 2 11 24
Cabinteely 11 7 2 2 18 12 6 23
Shelbourne 11 6 1 4 17 10 7 19
Limerick 11 5 3 3 10 8 2 18
Drogheda United 11 5 2 4 18 16 2 17
Bray Wanderers 11 5 1 5 11 9 2 16
Cobh Ramblers 11 3 2 6 13 17 -4 11
Athlone Town 11 3 1 7 12 22 -10 10
Galway United 10 3 0 7 12 12 – 9
Wexford 11 2 1 8 10 26 -16 7