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RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Seven different dreams alive in remarkable scrap for glory
Just over two weeks ago, it seemed like the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division was beginning to take shape. Five teams were showing signs of pulling away, and the usual separation between top half and bottom half looked like it might hold. Fast forward to this week, and the table tells a wildly different story: just three points separate the top seven sides. The race for Europe, and potentially the title, is not just wide open, it's chaotic and gloriously unpredictable. In a league that refuses to settle, this season may be the most tightly contested yet. Bohemians and Derry City, two clubs that had slipped into mid-table mediocrity, have flipped the script in dramatic fashion. Both were, not long ago, drifting in no man's land; they looked off the pace and out of ideas. But form is everything in football, and right now, no one's better. In the last five games both of these sides sit on top of the form table, collecting more points than anyone else and injecting themselves into the European conversation. Bohemians, under Alan Reynolds, are playing with renewed belief. The likes of Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy have stepped up in big moments, their evident faith in their manager providing big results when needed the most. Meanwhile, Derry have quietly got themselves back in it. When most of the title favourites slipped up over the Easter weekend they got back to back wins, there loss against Waterford last Friday will seem like a setback but that successful Easter period has done them wonders. Then there's Shamrock Rovers. After three wins on the bounce, they've taken just two points from their last three outings - each one a Dublin derby, each one a match where they were in a winning position at some point. Stephen Bradley's side will feel they've let key moments slip. When you're trying to regain the title, there's no room for complacency. Tonight's clash against Cork City feels like a must-win for them, not just for the points, but to restore confidence. Rovers are very experienced. Writing them off would be foolish. St Patrick's Athletic are another club who'll be wondering how they've let things slide. No wins in their last three. Against Rovers and Bohemians, they led. Against Drogheda, they failed to score but managed a draw. That makes tonight's game against Galway United critical. Galway have already turned them over once this season and they arrive full of confidence after the win against Drogheda last weekend which leaves them joint top. Brendan Clarke's return in goal is timely, while Moses Dyer's form up front has added bite and belief. Galway have conceded more than they usually would, but they look like a side who enjoy the fight, a team which takes great joy in causing problems. Speaking of teams who love a scrap, Kevin Doherty's Drogheda United deserve all the praise going. First time transitioning to full-time football, they've been punching above their weight all season. Their recent form - three games without a win - might raise eyebrows, but performances have remained spirited. They had chances to nick a point against Galway last weekend, and tonight's fixture against Sligo represents a real opportunity to get back on track. If they can keep defying the odds over the next few weeks, we may begin to see echoes of Shelbourne last year, a side who simply wouldn't go away and held on long enough to lift silverware. What makes this season so unique is that no narrative seems to be holding for longer than a fortnight. Just when you believe the table is taking shape, results rip it that narrative to shreds. Teams expected to falter, like Bohs and Derry, don't. Sides expected to kick on, like Shamrock Rovers and St Pat's, stall. New threats, like Galway, arrive weekly. Even Shelbourne, who have been impressive so far this season, will be surprised with the competitive nature of the league. "There's something extremely enjoyable about this season's campaign." That's not a sign of weakness in the league. Quite the opposite. It's proof that the league has never been stronger in terms of competitive depth. Squads are better equipped. Coaching is better. Investment has improved. And the entertainment value? Off the charts. There's something extremely enjoyable about this season's campaign. No team is dominating their way to dominance. No one is running away with it. And fans across the league are rewarded with high-stakes drama almost every week. If you're watching, you're hooked. Seven teams within three points. Seven different dreams still alive.
BreakingNews.ie
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
League of Ireland: Bohs beat Shamrock Rovers, St Pat's draw with Drogheda United
Bohemians came out on top against Shamrock Rovers on Monday evening, while it was goalless between Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic. Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic take first and second place in the league table, respectively. Advertisement Shamrock Rovers lost after being 2-0 up. Goals from Dawson Deovy, Ross Tierney, and Rhys Brennan secured the victory for Bohemians. Moses Dyer scored twice for Galway United in their 2-2 draw with Shelbourne. Eilis Chapman and Mipo Odubeko got on the scoresheet for Shels. A huge point away to the Champions, bring on Drogheda at home on Friday 💪 #ItsATribalThing | #GUFC2025 | Away Game Partners: @NexVentur — Gaillimh Aontaithe 🇱🇻 (@GalwayUnitedFC) April 21, 2025 Cork City beat Waterford 2-1 thanks to two late goals from Evan McLaughlin and Kitt Edward Nelson.
