This weekend in the Airtricity League…08/08/2021


The Airtricity League Premier Division continued over this weekend with the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium hosting the meeting of Derry City and Drogheda United  on Friday evening where the ‘Candystripes’ secured  a comfortable three nil victory to leapfrog their opponents into fifth place. 

Following their midweek heroics in the UEFA Conference League, Bohemian returned to domestic action with a trip to the RSC where re-vitalised Waterford were their hosts on Saturday afternoon. The ‘Gypsies’ made several changes to their starting eleven and were not at their fluent best as they went down to a one nil defeat which the hosts fully deserved. Later at 7.45pm, North West duo Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps were seeking to improve their fortunes following recent poor performances  from both sides when they met in the Showgrounds. It was the visitors who showed the greater desire to secure the points with the only goal.

There was a 3pm kick-off time for the Sunday afternoon contests between Dundalk and St Patrick’s Athletic in Oriel Park and the top versus bottom meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Longford Town in Tallaght Stadium. St Pats maintained their challenge with a comprehensive four one victory over the ‘Lilywhites’ while the ‘Hoops’ for the third time this season scored in added time (5 minutes) to defeat Longford Town with that only goal. The goal was scored by defender Liam Scales who was celebrating his 23rd birthday and is rumoured to be on his way to a top flight British club.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers        22 14  5  3  38 18   20   47
St Patrick’s Athletic  23 13  5  5  40 24   16   44
Sligo Rovers           21 11  5  5  27 15   12   38
Bohemian               21  9  4  8  34 24   10   31
Derry City             23  8  7  8  28 28    –   31
Drogheda United        23  8  6  9  35 30    5   30
Dundalk                21  7  6  8  26 31   -5   27
Waterford              23  8  1 14  18 40  -22   25
Finn Harps             22  6  5 11  18 31  -13   23
Longford Town          23  1  8 14  15 38  -23   11

The Airtricity League First Division continued on Friday evening with current leaders Shelbourne held to a scoreless draw at UCD while Galway United suffered  a shock three two defeat by visitors Cork City in Eamonn Deacy Park. Treaty United suffered an even bigger shock when they went down to a four one defeat by Cabinteely in the Markets Field while Bray Wanderers overcame visitors Wexford by three goals to one in the Carlisle Grounds.

Cobh Ramblers and visitors Athlone Town played out a scoreless draw in St Colman’s Park on Saturday evening.

                        P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shelbourne             18 12  6  0  36 15   21   42
Galway United          18  9  5  4  27 18    9   32
Treaty United          18  9  5  4  28 21    7   32
Bray Wanderers         18  7  8  3  26 17    9   29
UCD                    18  7  6  5  32 25    7   27  

Athlone Town           18  6  4  7  24 25   -1   22
Cabinteely             18  7  0 11  17 28  -11   21
Cobh Ramblers          18  5  4  9  17 29  -12   19
Cork City              18  4  6  8  21 22   -1   18
Wexford                18  1  2 15  14 40  -26    5