The third weekend of the League of Ireland saw the first full round of fixtures as the spate of postponements that dogged the first couple of weeks finally subsided.
Nine games took place across the two men’s divisions with the Women’s National League also kicking off on Saturday.
Derry City keep finding a way
Critics raved last year about all the points Shamrock Rovers clawed back late in games on their way to the title. It would be too early to paint Derry City with the same (stripey?) brush but they conjured up another late goal to take three points at Tolka Park on Friday. Patrick McEleney’s first Derry goal since returning to the club in the winter, a tricky finish after Lewis Webb had parried Eoin Toal’s header, turned a point into three against Shelbourne. It didn’t come quite as late as Jamie McGonigle’s last-second strike against Rovers but it was two more points gained from a match that could have petered out into a draw.
St Patrick’s Athletic get their own back
The Saints may have been aggrieved to walk away from Tallaght without the President’s Cup, having dominated for 75 minutes, but there was no mistake about who deserved the win at Richmond Park on Friday night. A brilliantly-executed header from Chris Forrester was enough to see the Athletic to a slender victory in a game of few clear chances. The captain shrugged off his opposite number Ronan Finn to steer Darragh Burns’ corner into the net. It was just the tonic for Tim Clancy’s side after losing twice in four days, to Sligo Rovers and Bohemians, in the lead up to the tie.
Rovers lose on the road again
Shamrock Rovers lost just six times on the way to the title in 2021 but, with just four games played, they have already lost twice. Five of those defeats last season came away from home and again it’s their away form that’s cost them, in Derry two weeks ago and Inchicore on Friday night. Two games is too small a sample size to draw any serious conclusions - and both Derry and Pats have strengthened in the off-season - but they’ll be happy to get back on home soil this week, even if it’s another derby with Bohs.
Bohemians can feel doubly hard done by
Finn Harps and Bohemians played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at a full Finn Park on Friday night, Ryan Connolly’s well-worked goal prompting wild celebrations after Promise Omochere had netted his second of the season. Omochere hit the bar with a shot from range to round off an impressive performance, only to be given his marching orders moments later. The striker appeared to stand his ground as he went for a high ball with Ethan Boyle but the Harps player fell theatrically to the ground and a second yellow card followed. It’s been a relatively controversy-free start to the season with only the usual griping about officials, but Bohemians will be without their top scorer for Friday’s derby in Tallaght.
Screamers abound as Drogheda get going against UCD
Drogheda United allowed home fans into Head in the Game Park for free, as promised, for the game with UCD as a thank you for their support during the pandemic. And they got plenty in return for their no money as they were treated to some fine finishes, with Gary Deegan, Chris Lyons and UCD’s Liam Kerrigan all scoring spectacular long-range strikers. Keeper Colin McCabe won’t fancy looking back at Kerrigan’s fine finish, but Drogheda looked potent in attack despite being apprehensive in defence, and they will cause teams trouble as the season goes on.
Wexford impress to move second
This column predicted that the lopsided scorelines on the opening day could be misleading and Wexford have underlined the point with two impressive wins following the 5-1 hammering to Treaty United. A 3-2 win in Cobh was followed up on Friday with a 2-1 win over Athlone Town. Goals from Harry Groome and Aaron Dobbs, either side of Cian Kelly’s sending-off, saw Ian Ryan’s side coast to victory in spite of a late Glen McAuley consolation. A South East derby in Waterford, who gave up a 2-0 lead at Galway United, on Friday night will be a step up in intensity but the early signs are positive at Ferrycarrig Park.
Five months later, Longford are finally back
The League of Ireland’s off-season is already one of the longest in Europe but it’s been particularly lengthy for Longford Town as they finally returned to the field on Saturday night, nearly five months since their last game. Their opening game against Cobh Ramblers was postponed and they had a bye week the following round, but Gary Cronin finally got a first competitive look at his side at home to Cork City. A scoreless draw probably was probably a little underwhelming for the Longford faithful but with a string of debuts (four of them having followed Cronin from Bray), it’s going to take to bed in.
