Could this be the season that Shamrock Rovers deliver on their reputation and challenge for the Premier Division title?. They have certainly made a good start and hit top spot over the weekend as they beat their Dublin rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 in Richmond Park. Aaron McEneff with the game’s only goal after seven minutes. Bohemian FC maintained their impressive start as well and are second despite being held to a 1-1 draw in Dalymount Park by Derry City. Eoghan Stokes gave Derry the lead with James Finnerty leveling for Bohs.
After what has become their typical slow start Dundalk sent out a warning shot across the bow of their title rivals as they defeated Waterford FC 4-0 in Oriel Park. Patrick Hoban, Sean Murray, Daniel Kelly and Cameron Dummigan with their goals. Sligo Rovers made it two wins in a row as a goal from Romeo Parkes was enough to give them a 1-0 win against UCD in the Showgrounds. The game of the week was in Finn Park as Finn Harps welcomed Cork City. Despite leading twice Harps were beaten 4-3.
Caolan McAleer gave Harps the lead after two minutes with Conor McCarthy equalising for Cork. Mark Coyle put Harps back in front but a goal from Gearoid Morrissey meant it was 2-2 at the break. A further strike from Morrissey and one from Graham Cummins had Cork 4-2 up. Up and coming 30 something youngster Raffaele Cretaro scored late on for Harps to ensure a nervy finish.
In the First Division, Bray Wanderers are the only side with a 100% record after they beat Galway United in Eamon Deasy Park thanks to a second half goal from Dean O’Halloran. Goals from Ryan Brennan and Ciaran Kilduff saw Shelbourne beat Athlone Town 2-0 in the Athlone Town Stadium that was Athlone’s first defeat of the season. Limerick and Drogheda United played out a goalless draw in the Markets Field. While Cabinteely and Longford Town drew 1-1 in Stradbrook.
In the highest scoring game of the weekend, Cobh Ramblers recorded their first win of the season in style by beating Wexford FC 6-1 in St. Colman’s Park. And finally, a belated congratulations to former Sligo Rovers player Ciaran Kelly who is the Head Coach of Pearl FC in Qatar. They won the Qatar Amateur League and will now play in QSL 2 next season. There could be a chance that some players from the league here will be scouted by Pearl as well.
