SSE Airtricity League Round-Up: Title rivals falter as Cork flourish

Cork City 2-1 Sligo Rovers

There was a full round of games played in the Premier Division of the SSE Airtricity League spread over Monday and Tuesday night and once again it was Cork City who came out the happiest. They faced a tricky away game against Sligo Rovers and actually trailed 1-0 at half-time thanks to a penalty from Kieran Sadlier for the home side. Cork were then given a penalty of their own in the second half but Sean Maguire, the leading scorer in the country put his effort wide of the post.

Still it is hard to keep Cork at bay and they ramped up the pressure drawing level through Achille Campion and then getting a winner nine minutes from time from Kevin O’Connor to give John Caulfield’s men a 2-1 win. That win was made even more valuable given that second place side Dundalk and third place Bray Wanderers both drew 0-0 in their respective fixtures against Derry City and Drogheda United. Cork now lead by 15 points.

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Galway United

Shamrock Rovers brought in form Galway United crashing back to Earth as they beat them 2-0 in the Tallaght Stadium. Gary Shaw and Brandon Miele got their goals.

Finn Harps 3-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Finn Harps were 3-1 winners against St. Patrick’s Athletic in Finn Park. Danny Morrissey scored two with Packie Mailey getting the third as Harps led 3-0 at half-time. Christy Fagan pulled a goal back for St. Pat’s in the second half.

Bohemian FC 1-2 Limerick 

New Limerick manager Neil McDonald recorded his first win in charge of the Shannonsiders as they won 2-1 away against Bohemian FC in Dalymount Park. George Poynton scored for Bohs with Rodrigo Tosi getting Limerick’s first whilst their second was an own goal from Daniel Byrne. That result also means that only two points seperate 7th place Bohs from bottom side Finn Harps as the battle to avoide relegation starts to get very congested.

Athlone Town Scandal

And finally it wouldn’t be a SSE Airtricity League wrap up without a mention of Athlone Town. It has emerged that over the weekend the club’s offices in the Athlone Stadium were broken into and vandalised and money taken among other items. There is no word if this is in any way related to the match fixing investigation currently underway by the FAI and UEFA.