League of Ireland Week in Football – Week 5
Written by Brian MahonPremier Round-up
Home comfort was the theme of last weekend. For 80 minutes it was a tight affair in the meeting of bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians. It was Gary Twigg who yet again made the breakthrough for The Hoops, before Billy Dennehy added a second in injury time to seal a 2-0 win.
Sligo Rovers made light work of visitors Dundalk, with striker Danny North bagging a brace in a 3-0 win.
In form Drogheda United had an impressive 2-0 victory over Derry City. The Drogheda midfield consisted of three Brennan brothers from the start, with the youngest of the trio, Ryan getting himself on the scoresheet.
UCD picked up their second victory of the season with a 3-2 win over Monaghan United, who are yet to win a game themselves. The pick of the goals was the least important, a thundering strike from Monaghan’s Jordan Keegan which was little more than an injury time consolation.
The other two fixtures produced 1-1 draws, Shelbourne at home to St Pat’s and Cork City hosting Bray Wanderers.
Occupational Goalscorer
In an interview with the Irish Independent this week, Gary Twigg revealed that he almost didn’t join Shamrock Rovers. Was it that he was unsure about the League of Ireland? Did he have offers from bigger clubs? Was there more money on offer elsewhere?
No, it seems he was very nearly taking another career path having become disillusioned with football and his battles with injury.
“The day I signed for Rovers, I was supposed to be starting a job to do occupational therapy,” said Twigg.
The medical profession’s loss is Irish football’s gain.
Bohemians’ lack of artistry
Bohs’ latest loss leaves them rooted to the bottom of the league table with only one point secured. That lack of success is matched by a lack of entertainment, in their five games so far Bohs have not scored a single goal.
Bohemians will be hoping for better results soon. Courtesy of Werner100359
With a young squad looking short of a goalscorer, creativity or any real attacking ambition it may be a long season for Bohemians fans. Should they continue on their current run of form it will be a shorter stay for manager Aaron Callaghan.
First Division
Longford Town dropped their first points of the season having been held to a 1-1 draw on their travels to SD Galway. That result leaves Longford one point ahead of Limerick who have now won four on the bounce having overcome Athlone Town (0-1).
Wexford Youths had a comfortable 2-0 win over Mervue United, courtesy of two first half goals while South East neighbours Waterford United hosted Finn Harps. Harps went on to win 0-2 in a game delayed for 20 minutes following injury to their goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher. Gallagher was taken away by ambulance while the teams returned to the dressing room. Thankfully he suffered little more than concussion, and was able to celebrate his 20th birthday the following day.
Louis Kilcoyne RIP
A minute’s silence was planned throughout the league this weekend following the news that one-time FAI President and former owner of Shamrock Rovers, Louis Kilcoyne had died last Sunday.
Kilcoyne is a man certainly not fondly remembered by Shamrock Rovers fans. Kilcoyne and his family took the hugely controversial decision to sell Rovers’ home ground of Glenmalure Park in 1987. The sale may have resulted in considerable profits for the family but it spelled disaster for the club and led to a homeless Shamrock Rovers suffering years of decline.
The planned mark of respect has been canceled, with the FAI thinking twice about asking Rovers fans to hold a minute silence for Kilcoyne, particularly in front of the live RTE cameras.
FAI in sensible decision shocker!
This weekend’s fixtures:
Friday 6th April 2012
Premier Division
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers
Bohemian FC v Cork City
Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers
Derry City v UCD
Dundalk v Shelbourne
Monaghan United v Drogheda United
First Division
Athlone Town v Wexford Youths
Limerick v Longford Town
Mervue United v Waterford United
Finn Harps v SD Galway
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